Maintaining Childcare Facilities to Prevent Bed Bugs

• Bed bugs like to hide in cracks and crevices so… seal cracks, crevices, and moldings with paint or caulk; secure loose tiles; remove carpeting when possible; repair holes, peeling wallpaper, and chipping paint.

• Fix storage and clutter issues in common areas. Store items (e.g. bags, blankets, toys, coats, books) in sealed plastic containers when possible.

• Train key employees, such as maintenance staff and teachers, so they know procedures for reducing the risk of infestation and transportation of bed bugs and what to do if bed bugs are discovered.

Keeping Childcare Facilities Clean from Bed Bugs

• Keep all areas as uncluttered as possible.

• Store all student and staff personal items separately in sealed plastic containers when possible.

• Clean regularly, paying extra attention to lost-and-found areas, upholstered furniture and/or bedding, wall mounted items (e.g. clocks, pictures, mirrors, etc.) and bookcases.

• Purchase and dedicate equipment for bed bug control, including vacuums and steam cleaners (steam must heat to at least 170oF). Empty and discard bags or collecting containers immediately. Clean and maintain the equipment regularly.

• Regularly wash and heat-dry all bedding, dress-up clothing, or other items for
at least 20 minutes (most ‘dry-clean only’ items can be put in the dryer as long as they are dry).

• Regularly inspect the facility: be careful and methodical using care to avoid spreading bed bugs to other areas.

Can my pet carry bed bugs?

Bed bugs don't live on pets or spend as much time on your pet as the more common pests (such as fleas, ticks, lice and mites), but they can bite your pets. 

 

We also know that bed bugs are very efficient hitchhikers and can be transported to your home via luggage, clothing, bedding, furniture, etc., so it's possible that bed bugs could also hitchhike in your pet's fur or its bedding or clothing.

Are flea and tick preventives effective against bed bugs?

Only products labeled with bed bugs as a target pest should be used. If bed bugs are not listed on the label, the product may not be effective. 

 

And unlike fleas and ticks, bed bugs live in your home, not on your pet. Using the wrong pesticide or using it incorrectly to treat for bed bugs can make you, your family, and your pet sick. The EPA has a search tool to help you find the right product. 

History of the Bed Bug

The Bed Bug evolved from the Bat Bug which feed on Bats in caves. 100,000 years ago Neanderthal man lived in caves and was also fed upon by these bugs. Eventually, the bat bug evolved into a new species we call the Bed Bug. When humans left the cave life and settled into villages, towns and cities they brought the bugs with them. Bed bugs have plagued man ever since.

The early writings about bed bugs appeared in ancient Egypt around 400 BC and the oldest bed bug found is an Egyptian fossil from 3500 years ago. They were also reported in early Roman and Greek writings. Medieval Europeans were also plagued by bed bugs. Not only were the poor living with these blood sucking pests but even the kings and noblemen were infested with bed bugs. It was also common to be infested with blood sucking lice. The most feared pest however, was the rat.

The rat meant that the deadly Black Death or Plague was about to break out. Bed Bugs continued to live side by side with people throughout history. Then during World War II, a miracle chemical, DDT was developed. DDT was so effective against bed bugs that after WWII they were no longer considered a pest problem. From the 1950’s through the turn of the century, problems with bed bugs were virtually non-existent.

Hotel Room too Hot for Bed Bugs?

Hot hotel rooms and hot dorm rooms are part of the bed bug buzz at the Entomological Society of America (ESA) annual meetings. There are even indications that hot air remedies can work well in combination with other bed bug control methods, including pesticides and dogs that sniff out bedbugs.

More companies are getting into commercial heat treatments for bed bugs. It seems a matter of practical application of the scientific data that heat can kill bedbugs, if you can figure out how to get the heat to where the bed bugs are hiding. 

The Conflict With Humans and Bed Bugs

The conflict between humans and insect pests has raged for centuries, but few battles boast the sheer make-your-skin-crawl ick factor as the war between people and bed bugs. And the battle, once played out largely in hotels with high international traffic, has moved to the home front.

Nine out of 10 pest management professionals have treated single-family homes, apartments and condos for bed bug infestations in the past year, according to the 2011 Bugs Without Borders Survey by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the University of Kentucky. Infestations are occurring in homes, hotels, hospitals, day care centers, college dorms, schools, movie theaters, department stores and even public transportation in every state.

Don't think you're safe from the little blood-suckers just because you travel little or stay at only the best hotels, professionals say. Bed bug infestations have little to do with cleanliness or quality. Bed bugs are notoriously hardy and just a few of the hitch-hiking pests - which you can pick up virtually anywhere these days - are all it takes to ultimately establish an infestation in your home or apartment.

Trends in Bed Bug Numbers

Bed bugs are believed to have been around since the time of the caveman An increase in domestic and international travel is the likely cause of their resurgence over the last 10 years.

Other factors contributing to increased activity include the use of second-hand goods, and the movement of furniture and linens, changes in pest control procedures, and a generational lack of knowledge.

According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), bed bug infestations have risen 71% since 2001 and are expected to climb.

Bed Bugs and Chicago

The City of Chicago admits that they have a bed bug problem and that infestations are increasing. In 2008, Chicago implemented the same policies as New York vs. Bed Bugs, a bed bug organization which supports the cause of educating the public on bed bugs and giving them advice on how to get rid of them. Other prominent cities like Boston and Cincinnati have bed bug advocacy groups which share valuable information with their citizens on how they can defend themselves against bed bugs and how to destroy them.

The City of Chicago believes that Bed bug infestations are similar to viruses, which spread easily from one person to another. Blame for the spread of these blood thirsty insects can’t be placed on any one class of people. Chicago is concerned for it’s citizens and their local economy. Chicago also believes it is crucial for certain individuals in the city to be trained and armed with bed bug control techniques. Some of these individuals would include landlords, school officials, hotel managers, health care professionals, and those who head public housing.

As stated earlier, one goal of Chicago vs. Bed Bugs is to give people information and guidance on how to eliminate bed bugs from their homes. One way is to use products containing diatomaceous earth, referred to as DE. It is an all natural substance that should be sprinkled along the traffic patterns of bed bugs in your home. It will essentially cut them up so badly that they will dehydrate and die. A great thing about this substance is how safe it is to use in your home, even among small children and animals.

Bed bugs are everywhere, but it is good to know that there are groups out there committed to educating the public on how to rid their homes or businesses of bed bugs.

The Real Cost of Extermination

When all of the factors are taken into consideration, the extermination can cost over $50,000 per building. Even after a thorough extermination, some bed bugs may remain, and quarantining a room is pointless, as the bed bugs can live for an entire year without a blood feeding. This means multiple exterminations may need to occur before the infestation is completely eradicated, and in buildings with lots intermittent visitors, such as hotels, the infestation can return very easily, as the bed bugs can transfer room articles of clothing and other personal belongings.

Although the cost of bed bug extermination can be estimated, the overall financial loss caused by these pests could be an immeasurable amount, as can be seen by the number of bed bug lawsuits within the past year.