 |
We hear of a lot of bed bug stories!! Here's one that popped up recently. A couple who visited a resort suffered from bites all over their bodies, and complained to personnel at the resort about the skin irritation that resulted. They were examined by a medical technician and were told that they were nothing more than mosquito bites.
When they returned home, they counted that they had been bitten over 100 times all over their bodies (in many cases, in places where mosquitoes could not possibly have bitten them). The bites left permanent scarring, which is typical of bed bug bites. With the knowledge that these bites were most likely from bed bugs, the couple is suffering from psychological distress and physical discomfort. Medical experts say that emotional distress is common among bed bug victims.
|
|
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small wingless insects that feed solely upon the blood of warm-blooded animals.
Bed bugs and their relatives have evolved as nest parasites. Certain kinds inhabit bird nests and bat roosts and await the return of their hosts; others have adapted well to living in the nests (homes) of people.
Hatchling bed bugs are about the size of a poppy seed, and adults are about 1/4 of an inch in length. From above they are oval in shape, but are flattened from top to bottom.
Their color ranges from nearly white (just after molting) or a light tan to a deep brown or burnt orange. The host's blood may appear as a dark red or black mass within the bug's body. Because they never develop wings, bed bugs cannot fly. When disturbed, bed bugs actively seek shelter in dark cracks and crevices. Cast skins of bed bugs are sometimes discovered. Although such a finding confirms that bed bugs had been present previously, it does not confirm that any continue to infest the residence. Thus, inspect carefully for live crawling bed bugs. Because many other kinds of small brown bugs may be discovered, it is critical to ensure that the bugs are correctly identified. |
|
What should you do if you find bed bugs?
Because several different kinds of insects resemble bed bugs, specimens should be carefully compared with good reference images (such as those in this document) to confirm their identity. If any questions remain regarding the identity of your samples, then submit them to a competent entomologist for evaluation.
Once their identity is confirmed, a careful plan should be devised to eliminate the bed bugs in a manner that promotes success while limiting unnecessary costs and exposure to insecticides.
Don't discard furniture and don't treat until and unless you have a plan.
Call GERM SQUAD to discuss a plan of action. |
|
Bed Bugs
