Bed Bugs Education, Protection & Treatment

1. Courtney Myers, MPH, RS
District Programs Coordinator
Stark County Health Department
BED BUGS:
EDUCATION, PROTECTION AND
TREATMENT

2.  Infestation Impact
 Bed Biology
 Prevention, Control &
Treatment
 Working With Pest
Control

3. WORST BED BUG CITIES IN US - 2019
https://www.terminix.com/blog/whats-buzzing/top-bed-bug-cities/

4. Lai, O., Ho, D., Glick, S., & Jagdeo, J. (2016). Bed bugs and possible transmission of human pathogens: a
systematic review. Archives of Dermatological Research, 308(8), 531-538. doi:10.1007/s00403-016-1661-8
THE EFFECTS OF BED BUGS GO BEYOND
TRADITIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH

6. BED BUG BIOLOGY

7. Feed on Blood
Prefers humans, but
will feed on other
mammals.
Primarily Nocturnal
Can Not Fly or Jump
Great Hitchhikers
Not Associated with
Un-cleanliness,
Associated with People!
BED BUG BASICS

8. LIFE CYCLE

10. Bed Bugs do NOT Transmit
Disease.
Rash
Allergic Reaction
Seen in 50% of people
Secondary Infection may
Develop.
BUG BUGS AND DISEASE

13. BED BUG
PREVENTION

14.  Limit the belongings you take with you throughout
the day
 Do not wear shoes throughout your home
 Do not bring purses, computer bags, backpacks, etc.
into areas where you sleep
PREVENTION

15. PREVENTION: OFFICES AND SCHOOLS
 Not a breeding location.
 May be an area of transfer.
 Desks, cubicles and waiting
rooms and lunch rooms are
high risk zones.

16. PREVENTION: OFFICES AND SCHOOLS
Education and staff training is key.
Develop Policy and Protocol.
Work with infested employee to prevent
transfer to workplace.
Broadband pest control not typically
warranted.

17.  Don’t sit on upholstered
furniture.
 Limit belongings in
home.
 Keep supplies in plastic
totes in car.
 Wipe equipment down
with Steri-Fab or rubbing
alcohol.
 Wear disposable booties
or spray shoes.
PREVENTION: HOME VISITS

18. PREVENTION: TRAVEL
S.L.E.E.P.
S- Survey the room for infestation.
L- Lift and Look around bed & furniture.
E- Elevate luggage.
E- Examine luggage while unpacking &
at home.
P- Place belongings in hot washing
machine or dryer at home.

19. TREATMENT

20. TREATMENT OPTIONS
Identification is Key!
Keep insect intact
Kill with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.
Have a Pest Control Operator to ID the insect.

21. TREATMENT OPTIONS
Temperature at or above 120 degrees F
Launder clothing in hot water or place in dryer.
Wipe down commons areas with rubbing alcohol or
Steri-fab.
Vacuum area – discard contents ASAP.
Use a Monitoring Tool.

22. TREATMENT OPTIONS: CHEMICAL
 Crack and Crevice
Treatment
 Repeat visits are
necessary.
 Must make direct contact.
 Low residual effect
 Developing resistance

23. Diatomaceous Earth
Powder
Heat Treatment
Steam Cleaning
Trailer Heating
Whole House Heating
TREATMENT OPTIONS: PHYSICAL

24. TREATMENT OPTIONS: MONITORING
Bed Bug Dogs
 Highly Trained
 Used in large scale
buildings
 Can locate viable and
live eggs and bugs
 As good as their training
and handler

25. Pitfall Traps
TREATMENT OPTIONS: MONITORING

26. WORKING WITH PEST CONTROL
Develop a plan before you have a
problem.
If your business is at risk for bed bugs
use monitoring tools.
Talk about appropriate treatment options
and contract terms.

27. BARRIERS TO TREATMENT
Pesticide Resistance
Cost of Treatment
Home Preparation
Landlord Tenant Law
Lack of Agency
Authority

29. Pesticide Misuse
LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/10/bed-bugs-health-risks-pesticides-fires_n_4565660.html

30. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cincinnati-ohio-
woman-burns-down-home-trying-to-kill-bedbugs/
LEAVE IT TO THE PROFESSIONALS

31.  US EPA https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs
 What Schools Need to Know by Michigan Bed Bug Working
Group
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/emergingdiseases/Bed_bugs_s
chools_293498_7.pdf
 Central Ohio BB Task Force http://centralohiobedbugs.org/
RESOURCES

32. Contact Information
Courtney Myers, MPH, RS
Stark County Health Dept.
myersc@starkhealth.org
330-451-1472
THANK YOU!
http://starkcountyohio.gov/public-health/