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Bed bug dispersal is usually passive – they depend on their hosts for dispersal. They readily move from location to location on furniture, baggage, boxes, clothing, luggage and bedding. Clearly, such potentially infested items need to be inspected closely before relocation. Similarly, travel accommodations should be examined for the visible signs of bed bugs, especially on mattresses, box springs, bed frames and headboards.
The major steps that should be taken when developing a bed bug management program include:
- Proper identification of the cimicid species present
- Education and cooperation of the client/owner of the infested facility
- Thorough inspection of the infested area and all adjacent areas
- Implementation of control measures (both chemical and nonchemical)
- Follow-up visits to evaluate the success of the program and to provide additional control measures if necessary
Most pest problems inside structures will be caused by either the common bed bug or the Eastern bat bug.
Pest management professionals should be well-trained in bed bug biology, behavior and control before implementing control plans. Clients, especially those in the hospitality industry and managers of multiple unit dwellings should understand, and take precautions against, the ways in which bed bugs are introduced into new environments. These include the use of leased furniture and the purchase of pre-owned items at garage sales, thrift stores, etc.
No monitoring devices specifically designed to attract or detect bed bugs are commercially available so visible evidence of bed bug activity remains the first line of defense for control of new infestations. Bed bugs leave blood smears on walls, bedding, curtains and light-colored surfaces. Hiding places are often revealed by the presence of fecal material deposited on the resting places. Fecal deposits appear as small black or dark brown spots. Common hiding places for bed bugs include bedding, any object attached to the wall, drapery and furniture.
The use of vacuums, temperature modification (heat and cold), physical barriers, laundering of clothes and bedding, discarding of infested items and elimination of harborages have aided in reducing or eliminating bed bug infestations.
In many cases, nonchemical control measures alone will be inadequate to control an infestion. Before application, carefully inspect and verify that the insecticide product is labeled for use on bed bugs in indoor situations. The most effective products include dusts, microencapsulated formulations, and wettable powders. Avoid direct treatment of mattresses and bedding – these should be cleaned/decontaminated using nonchemical techniques. Direct insecticide applications into as many possible harborages as possible. Fumigation is sometimes used to treat all or part of an infested structure but, because of its expense and difficult logistics, it is seldom used.
Repeat visits to bed bug accounts are critical because of the difficulty in finding and treating all potential harborages at one time This is especially important for apartments, motels, etc. Previously untreated cracks and crevices should be treated and/or sealed. Continuous dialog with site managers and residents should help to locate and eliminate new, or residual, infestations.
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