Bed Bugs

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Bed Bugs
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Overview

• Characteristics
• Myths and facts
• What is being done about bed bugs
• Where they hide
• Protecting your work and home
• Equipment and personnel clean up
• Controlling and eradicating infestations

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Characteristics

• There are 7 stages from egg to nymph to adult
• Each stage requires a blood host to molt to the
  next
• Humans are preferred host
• Hosts can also include dogs, cats, birds and bats
• Female lays approximately 5 eggs per day
• Eggs are held in place on surfaces with a glue
  like substance
• Eggs hatch in 4 12 days

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Life cycle
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Characteristics

• Approximately ¼ in size
• Do not fly but are adept, fast crawlers
• Scatter when disturbed
• Transparent apperance until they feed

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Characteristics

• Can live for up to 18 months without feeding
• They do not transmit disease
• Bites can create an allergic reaction from their
  saliva
• Bites may itch but not always
• Scratching welts may lead to secondary skin
  infection
• Anesthetic and anticoagulant is injected as
  feeding begins
• Nymphs feed for 3 minutes, adults 10 15 minutes

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Welts from bites
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Characteristics

• Bed bugs leave tell-tale signs such as blood
  stains near the bite site
• Dark deposits (fecal spots) occur on sheets,
  mattresses and walls
• In severe infestations, a sweet, musty odor from
  their scent glands may be present

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Microscope enhanced
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Myths

• Only dirty people get bed bugs
• Bed bugs are only found in places like homeless
  shelters and army barracks
• Bed bugs are only a problem for low income people
• Bottom line regardless of hygiene, financial or
  social status or place of residence, bed bugs can
  infest your home or work place

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Facts

• Bed bugs were controlled, but never completely
  eradicated in the USA after WWII
• Many of the insecticides that were effective,
  like DDT are either ineffective or simply not
  available any more
• Increased international travel, immigration and
  import of goods has contributed to the spread of
  bed bugs

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What is Being Done

• United States Environmental Protection Agency is
  considering allowing more pesticides to be used
  to kill the bugs
• Increased awareness
• Increased education

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Some places where they hide

• Seams of mattresses

• Cracks and creases in furniture

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Some places where they hide

• Behind baseboards

• Under carpeting

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Bedbugs have also been found in

• Senior housing
• Nursing homes
• Apartment buildings
• Hotels motels
• Schools
• Churches
• Movie theatres
• Dorm rooms
• Firehouses including vehicles

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Protecting your home and workplace
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Protecting your home and workplace

• Keep a vigilant eye for tell tale signs of
  infestation such as sweet odor, feces,
  exoskeletons
• Avoid wearing duty uniforms home at the end of
  your shift
• Avoid setting jump bags and other equipment on
  floors and furniture. Use hard, flat surfaces
  when available
• Launder uniforms at work
• Water temperature of 120? F is known to kill bed
  bugs

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Protecting your home and workplace

• Launder work bedding frequently
• At work and home perform daily, routine
  inspections of all mattresses, box springs,
  couches, chairs etc.

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After the call and clean up procedure

• Remember that bed bugs do not transmit disease
• Bed bugs prefer nooks, crannies, folds in
  material, creases and seams
• Bed bugs will rarely if ever stay on hard, flat
  surfaces such as cabinet doors and walls of the
  ambulance

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After the call and clean up procedure

• Clean up should focus on routine disinfection
  per department procedure and visual inspection
  for signs of bed bugs
• With the increasing prevalence of bed bugs, crews
  should perform a routine tertiary inspection for
  the bugs after each call

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Procedure for known or obvious patient infestation

• Notify your company officer that clean up may be
  slightly extended due to the need for a diligent
  visual inspection
• Company officer should notify the shift commander
  / battalion chief
• Police officers who were on the scene should be
  given a courtesy call

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Procedure for known or obvious patient infestation

• Cab, cabin and compartments
• Shine a bright flash light in creases of seats,
  behind seats, behind radios, computers, etc.
  while inspecting. Bedbugs are easily startled and
  this may flush them out if they are present
• Disinfect seats, radio, turn signals, door
  handles, cables, BP cuffs, stethoscope, grab
  rails, stretcher, etc. as usual
• Do not use harsh chemicals, bleach, pesticides,
  or other chemicals

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Use of RID

• The active ingredient in RID, which is used to
  treat head lice, is also effective in killing bed
  bug eggs
• RID is available at most pharmacies/drug stores
  and should be used after treating and/or
  transporting obviously infested patients

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Controlling and eradicating infestations

• Bed bugs are very difficult to kill
• Bug bombs designed to kill flying insects only
  scatter bed bugs
• Treatment of homes and workplaces requires
  licensed pest control experts
• Multiple treatments may be required
• Reduce clutter
• Encase mattresses and box springs in plastic
  covers

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Controlling and eradicating infestations

• Store belongings, especially bedding and
  clothing, in tightly closes plastic containers
• Vacuum and empty collection receptacle daily
• After travel, immediately wash all clothing
• Be cautious when bringing used furniture into
  your home
• Never give away or accept used mattresses or box
  springs
• Dispose of infected furniture

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Sources

• Centers for Disease Control
• Illinois Department of Public Health
• DuPage County Health Department
• Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force
• Bedbuginfestation.info

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Thank you for this information!!

• Shelly Carbone, EMT-P/FF
• EMS Coordinator
• Tri-State Fire Protection District