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        Call the Association today to attend this very important class on April 17th from 9:00 - 12:00 at Willow Tree Apts.  Special Pricing!!

 

              What are bed bugs?                         

     Have you ever heard of bed bugs, other than the old adage…”Don’t Let The Bed Bugs Bite”?

 

What do Bed Bugs look like? Adults are small, brownish insects, just under a 1/4” long and are relatively flat. They are nearly as wide as they are long, and oval in shape. Immature bed bugs (nymphs) resemble the adults, but are much smaller and lighter in color. Newly hatched nymphs are translucent and are no bigger than a pinhead (1 mm). After feeding on a blood meal the immature bed bugs may appear bright red in color. Bed bugs lack wings and therefore they do not fly, but they are capable of moving swiftly on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. The eggs are very small( see photos above)  (approximately 1mm), whitish, and very difficult to see on most surfaces without magnification (individual eggs are about the size of a dust speck).

KEY POINTS:
•    Bed bugs are not caused by poor sanitation or ones social status
•    Bed bug infestations must be introduced by bringing in an item that has bugs or eggs associated with it.
•    Poor sanitation, particularly clutter, can make it much more difficult to control or eliminate a bed bug infestation.


The thought that bed bugs are the result of poor sanitation and/or poverty is a big misconception.  Bed bugs do not discriminate based on one’s social status or the cleanliness of their home.  The fact is that cleanliness has nothing to do with getting bed bugs.  Bed bug infestations can occur in the most expensive hotels, multi-million dollar estates as well as homeless shelters and everything in between regardless of the existing sanitary conditions.   In order for a bed bug infestation to begin they must be introduced by bringing bugs from an infested environment and introducing them to a previously un-infested one.  Some examples include staying in a bed bug infested environment, having a guest visit that brings bugs with them, purchasing an item or accepting delivery of an item that has bugs or eggs on it.  As a result, bed bug infestations can affect anyone, anywhere, and are occurring in hotels, apartments, single family homes, upscale commercial office buildings, school classrooms, laundromats, public transportation and the list goes on and on.  
While sanitation may not have anything to do with the onset of an infestation, it can have a tremendous impact on the ability to control or eliminate an infestation.  Crowded and cluttered living conditions are one of the more challenging obstacles to overcome in an eradication effort.  Bed bugs hide and lay their eggs virtually everywhere. As a result clutter provides an unlimited number of areas where bed bugs can harbor and remain well-protected from control efforts.  

 

How do bed bugs invade a residence?
Because bed bugs readily hide in small crevices, they may accompany (as stowaways) luggage, furniture, clothing, pillows, boxes, and other such objects when these are moved between apartments, homes and hotels.  Used furniture and particularly bed frames and mattresses are of greatest risk of harboring bed bugs and their eggs. Thus, one should carefully scrutinize and consider the history of any used furniture, particularly ‘street’ items so plentiful at the beginning and end of each academic year. Because they readily survive for many months without feeding, bed bugs may already be present in apparently ‘vacant’ and ‘clean’ apartments.  Bed bugs can wander between adjoining apartments through voids in walls and holes though which wires and pipes pass.

 

Avoiding Infestations

The more aware you are of bed bugs and what to look for the less likely you are to expose yourself to an infestation.  It is important to remember that in order for a new infestation to become established, bed bugs must first be introduced into the previously un-infested environment.  As a result, your risk of encountering and potentially introducing bed bugs increases when you travel, when children return from camps, boarding schools or college, when you have overnight guests, if you purchase used or second hand items, or have items such as furniture or bedding delivered etc.
Early detection is among the most important ways that you can protect yourself from having an introduction of bed bugs turn into a nightmare that is difficult and costly to eliminate.  The use of mattress and box spring encasements is one of the most economical and useful tools that can aid in the early detection of bed bugs.   It is very important that the encasements have been specifically designed for bed bugs and have been scientifically tested to demonstrate their effectiveness.  The most effective encasement that we have examined is the Bug Lock® encasement. By encasing mattresses, any bed bugs that may be introduced, are restricted to the exterior of the encasements where they can be readily detected through a good visual inspection.  In addition, mattress and box spring encasements can also prevent the infestation of the mattress and box spring should bed bugs be introduced.