Chances are you've probably already heard a few horror stories about the bedbug infestation spreading across the nation. Although the yuck factor of these blood-sucking parasites (Cimex lectularius)is huge, fortunately they do not transmit disease. According to WebMD, bedbugs are "more of a nuisance than a health hazard." The real problem is the extermination a full-blown infestation which can be costly and often requires a professional.
Bedbugs aren't picky. They can turn up anywhere--in stores, theaters and beds. According to The Dr. Oz Show:
After 6 decades of living largely bed bug-free, the US is facing a national infestation. In fact, the incidence of bed bug infestation has risen 500% in the last few years alone, and they're not just in dirty hotels – they’re at the 5-star ones as well and swarming the public places you visit every day.
Tips to keep the bed bugs off your stuff
Bedbugs are tiny hitchhikers that latch on to an object and move around unnoticed. In general, they don't hitch a ride on human skin or hair, but prefer to ride on clothing or other objects. Tips and photo links to help you identify the tiny bugs can be found in a bedbug post I wrote in back August. In general, here are a few suggestions to keep the bugs off your stuff.
- use luggage racks when staying at a hotel
- keep purses and briefcases on your lap and off the floor
- eliminate clutter where bed bugs hide
Where do bedbugs hide?
Bedbugs like the dark and are known to travel up to 100 feet in one night. They often hide in crevices. That's why you need to check out furniture, beds, suitcases, purses, clothing, etc. Common hiding places are near mattress seams, labels or piping--even in the head board. A major infestation in a home warrants checking all furniture, draperies, storage areas, and even appliances. If you can slip a credit card under an object such as loose wall paper, consider this an easy entry space for the tiny bugs to find a place to hide. Because the young bugs are tiny (1/16" -1/4") and nearly translucent, they are difficult to see.
Check for bedbugs in clothing
When removing clothing you think is infested, stand on bare floor and not on carpet so you can spot them if they fall to the floor. You can even get the floor slightly wet before you remove the clothing because this will make it more difficult for the bugs to escape. High temperature (100 -120 F) washing and drying can be effective in killing bugs on clothing. According to Dr. Oz, to eliminate bedbugs in clothing: "throw your clothes in the dryer for at least 30 minutes as soon as you get home; they cannot survive any temperature above 113 ° F." For detailed instructions on how to get rid of bedbugs in clothing, check out this Univ. of MN link.
Check for bedbugs in luggage
If you suspect your luggage is infested, place luggage in an air tight plastic bag to contain the bugs. Some methods of getting rid of the bugs inside luggage include high temperature washing (100 - 120 F), heating the bags to a very high core temp (120 F), or freezing (-15 F) the bags. Exact directions for these methods can be found at the Traveler Q & A link at the Univ. of MN.
Signs of bedbug infestation
According to the US EPA here are some warning signs:
- small dark spots the size of dot made by a pen are bed bug excrement
- tiny white eggs and eggshells (about 1mm)
- skins that young bed bugs shed when they mature
- live bed bugs
- rusty or reddish stains on sheets or mattresses caused by bedbugs being crushed
Best advice I've heard: Be watchful and don't panic
The recent bedbug resurgence requires that all of us be watchful. Although reports of bedbugs turning up practically everywhere is not great for tourism, some reports of bed bugs infestations taking over entire stores or buildings have been greatly exaggerated. According to an AP news story:
The discoveries of pests at high-profile places are often not full-blown infestations, or even in public areas. Bloomingdale's reported finding exactly one bug in the famous department store, the Empire State Building had them in the basement and Lincoln Center's were in a dressing room. But those reports, along with bedbug discoveries in movie theaters, hotels and clothing chain stores, are causing skittish travelers to call off trips planned months ago.
Sightings
Bedbugs inspire a feeling of panic in many and the feelings increase when reports of bedbug sightings appear in blogs, tweets, and on Facebook. Checking websites such as the BedBug Registry--user-submitted reports tracking bedbug infestations in hotels and apartment buildings--only fuel the fear. I think the concept of reporting bedbug infestations is good, but this registry does not guarantee its reports are accurate or up-to-date.
The hardy bedbugs are not leaving any time soon--they can survive for over a year without feeding. I am guessing we will be lifting up the sheets and checking mattresses as well as examining our shopping bags and luggage for a long time. However, bedbugs are not stopping me from traveling. I travelled to NYC in August with my daughter. We followed the necessary precautions on our trip and kept our eyes open for warning signs. I am happy to say we didn't see a single bed bug.
(Portions of this post include updated information from my post in late August, Will bed bugs be visiting your house?)
(Photo: Screen shot from the WebMD blog.)
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