Released December 29, 2009
LOGAN, Utah – Most have heard the term “don’t let the bedbugs bite.” Before World War II, bedbugs were a problem, and telling someone to not let bedbugs bite was akin to wishing them good luck.
“With the advent of chemical pesticides, bedbugs were mostly eliminated from the United States and Canada, and most of us have not experienced them,” said Taun Beddes, Utah State University Extension horticulturist.
“Unfortunately, over the last several years, bedbugs have resurged for several reasons. These include increased international travel where bedbug infestations can be common in hotels, a reduction in indoor pesticide spraying and several pesticides that were once used to control the insects being removed from the market.”
According to experts at the University of California Davis, up to 85 percent of pests are found hiding near beds. However, a trained professional is often required and can determine the extensiveness of an infestation. Bedbugs are difficult to locate because they like dark conditions. They are relatively small and live in areas such as picture frames, cracks between the wall and mopboards, in wall cracks, between a mattress and box springs, places where the carpet meets the wall and inside wall outlets.
Beddes said sheets and mattresses are often stained a reddish-brown color from bedbug feces. Bedbugs come out of hiding when humans and animals are asleep and are attracted by the carbon dioxide produced by breathing. They feed on blood by using mouth parts to pierce the skin. Their bites are initially painless but later often form welts that may swell and itch. Fortunately, there are no recorded incidents of bedbugs spreading disease or killing anyone. “If you have reoccurring, unexplained bites, it may be worth investigating bedbugs as a possibility,” he said.
Depending on indoor temperatures, bedbugs can live for 4 to 12 months without feeding. However, they must take a blood meal for every set of eggs they lay. They usually have a clear or opaque color but turn reddish-brown after feeding.
How to prevent
“To prevent bringing bedbugs into your home, thoroughly inspect luggage and the items inside before returning from traveling,” Beddes said. “After traveling, wash clothing in water at 140 F or hotter, and store luggage in an area such as a shed where people and pets do not sleep. Keep areas tidy and control mice and rats. This will reduce areas where bedbugs can hide and will diminish feeding sites. Online registries are available that note where bedbugs have been found in apartments and hotels.”
Control of bedbugs
Bedbug infestations usually must be controlled by a professional since few chemicals used by the general public are labeled for control, he said. However, professionals have access to many more restricted- use products. Additionally, it can take several weeks to months to eliminate the pests. Infested items most often must be disposed. An alternative is to heat items with steam above 140 F or freeze them for at least two weeks. However, it is not always practical to heat or cold treat mattresses.
For further information on bedbugs, visit http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/factsheet/bedbugs07.pdf.
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http://extension.usu.edu/htm/news/articleID=8382
Source: Taun Beddes, 435-752-6263
Writer: Julene Reese, 435-797-0810
