BED BUGS
Preface Warning: This presentation may make you itch Bed Bugs: Can be a community health problem Affect people from all walks of life Can infest in any cozy environment where people spend long periods of time
What are bed bugs? Small, 6 legged reddish-brown wingless insects about the size of an apple seed.
What are bed bugs? The body is flat and circle shape before feeding The body is long and narrow after feeding Only seen during the day if there is a heavy infestation They crawl or travel in a person s belongings and cling to clothing
Life Cycle
Affects on humans? They feed on human blood at night They inject an anti-coagulant to keep the blood flowing and a numbing agent to keep you from feeling the bite They are a nuisance but do not carry any diseases ****Bed bugs feed on any mammal including cats and dogs
Symptoms of a bite Small red itchy bumps on the surface of the skin Sometimes there is no reaction many people do not see or feel the bites Sometimes there is a reaction several days later A severe or allergic reaction can include Large itchy bumps Blister-like skin inflammations Development of pus Rashes that have the appearance of hives In rare cases, anaphylactic shock
Examples of bites
Diagnosis and Treatment Diagnoses can be difficult Doctor needs to rule out mosquito, flea, lice and scabies to diagnose bed bugs Treatment aims to relieve symptoms (cortisone cream and Benadryl) Avoid infection by not scratching Bites take 1-2 weeks to resolve
Where do they live? Beds mattresses; linens; and cracks and crevices in bed frames and head boards In the seams of chairs and couches, between cushions In the folds of curtains In drawer joints In electrical receptacles and appliances Under loose wall paper and wall hangings At the junction where the wall and the ceiling meet Even in the head of a screw
Where do they live? More prevalent in communal areas Apartments buildings Hotels Offices Movie theaters Childcare centers Can be in single homes if they hitchhike in with luggage, bags, clothing, or on a pet
Signs of bed bugs Presence of bed bugs or empty bed bug skins Blood spots or stains on mattress, linens, furniture or walls Insect excrement at the entry to their hiding place and an intense sweet odor from their secretions
VIDEO: What to do if you think you brought one home with you? Please click this link to view a video on YouTube; return to the presentation when you are finished.
Ways to Avoid Bringing Them Home from a Home Visit Leave your coat in the trunk so that it is not sitting on furniture Only bring in what is absolutely necessary and in a plastic bag Sit on hard surfaces not on anything upholstered When walking to the car, shake off clothing Keep an extra bag of clothing with you incase infestation is so severe that you want to change. Bag exposed clothes and wash in hot water, dry in dryer (steam kills bugs in all stages of the life cycle).
Getting rid of them! Wash clothes and bed linens in hot water, dry on hot setting Hire a licensed pest control operator to get rid of bugs in furniture, rooms and buildings insecticides are bug specific.
Conclusion Itching will now stop Complete the Quiz below (please be sure to add your name and date) Print the Certificate of Completion, add your name, signature and date, and return to your supervisor along with the quiz results. Thank you for completing this online module!
Bed Bugs Quiz Name: (Please circle the correct answer) Date: 1. Bed bugs are only found in dirty environments. a. True b. False 6. Bed bugs appear on sleep surfaces first. a. True b. False 2. The best sign of having bed bugs is a rash. a. True b. False 3. Bed bugs live in: a. Mattresses and upholstery b. Outlets c. Cracks in walls and wooden furniture d. Electronics e. All of the above 7. By the time you find evidence, the home is considered infested. a. True b. False 8. To avoid bringing bed bugs home with you: a. Do not place clothing or bags on upholstery b. Do not sit on upholstery c. Shake off clothing outside when leaving d. Carry minimal amount of items in a plastic bag e. All of the above 4. Bed bugs feed on mammals. a. True b. False 5. Signs of bed bugs: a. Bug skins b. Blood stains c. Sweet odor d. All of the above 9. Washing fabrics with hot water and drying on a hot setting will kill bed bugs. a. True b. False 10. It is easy to get rid of an infestation without an exterminator. a. True b. False Supervisor Signature Date 2017/ 2018 PDF
` This is to certify that (Print Name) has completed 1.0 Hour(s) of Bed Bugs (no breaks) (name of training) on at KenCrest Online Module (Date) (Location) Presented by: Pam Schaefer, Program Coordinator, Staff Training and Development Provider Signature: 2017/ 2018 PDF