Community Hygiene
Description
Bed bugs are small wingless insects. The adults are about a quarter of an inch long,
an eighth of an inch wide and dark brown in color. Bed bugs are oval shaped and
flat when unfed. They can survive 6 months or longer without a blood meal. The female
may lay one to five small white eggs a day and as many as 500 in a lifetime. Indoors,
where it is warm, bed bugs may breed year-round. Bed bugs feed on blood usually
taken from a person while they're sleeping. Many times the person is not aware that
they are being bitten. The bites tend to itch after the bug is done feeding. Bed
bug bites are an unpleasant nuisance, but fortunately they are not known to transmit
any diseases in the U.S. Bed bugs prefer humans, but may also feed on pets such
as cats, dogs, or birds.
Control
It is strongly recommended that control of bed bugs be handled by a licensed, experienced
pest control company. To maximize effectiveness of the treatment, prepare the infested
area by following these recommendations before application of pesticides or other
treatment methods:
- Thoroughly clean infested rooms and remove clutter to prevent hiding places.
- Seal items you need to discard in plastic bags to prevent the bugs from spreading
to other areas of your home.
- Disassemble bed frames and headboards.
- Remove dresser drawers and place all furniture at least 24 inches from walls.
- Remove switch plates and outlet covers.
- Bed bugs will hide in any tight location, so don't forget about electronic equipment,
picture frames, drawers, etc.
Additionally, you will need to:
- Wash bed linens, clothing and washable curtains in hot water and dry on high heat.
Then store in sealed plastic bags to prevent re-infestation until treatment is complete.
- Discard mattresses and box springs or have them heat sanitized by a licensed mattress
sanitizer or enclose them in bedbug-proof mattress covers.
- Vacuum floors, mattresses, and upholstered furniture daily and discard vacuum cleaner
bag(s) immediately.
- Inspect affectedltreated areas daily and repeat steps outlined above as needed.
For more information, contact the Forsyth County Department of Public Health at
703-3171 or visit these websites:
N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources - (919) 733-6407
N.C. State University
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