DON’T LET THE BED BUGS BITE
By Bobbie Herbs
‘Tis the season for trips to the shore and around the world. Although bed bugs have not been in the news lately,
know they are still prevalent and should be accounted for.
A resurgence of beg bugs began in the 1990’s. Scientists believe
the cause was a worldwide increase in bed bug populations fueled by increased global
travel, changes in pest management practices plus the insects’ resistance to
modern day pesticides.
Bed bugs need warm-blooded mammals to survive. Since the beginning of human time they have
been our companion - then in caves, today in
hotels, hospitals, and any place
we sleep.
Cimex lectularius, the
bed bugs’ scientific name, are part of a blood-sucking group of insects that
require blood to lay their eggs and provide food for larvae. The adults are under ¼” long and flat with an
oval shaped body.
Because they feed at night you
may not even know you have been feasted on.
People who react to the bites show small, flat or raised welts or rash,
hives or blisters. The bites typically
have a cluster, row or zigzag pattern, where the little biters have ‘tested’
for the best blood source.
What can you do this summer to ensure
you “sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite”?
1.
Put your luggage in the bathtub or on the desk.
Avoid soft surfaces and even the luggage rack. If you choose to use the luggage rack pull it
away from the bed and furniture and inspect it for bed bugs.
2. Inspect
the room. Pull back the
sheets and inspect the mattress and box spring. Look in the creases of both for
tiny seed-size tan or off-white shells of the insect and tiny dots or black
marker appearance from fecal matter on the fabric.
3.
Check your skin each morning. Search for small bites or welts as described earlier.
4.
When you return home, treat your suitcase as if you already have bed bugs. Unpack in the garage. Immediately bring the contents to the laundry
and wash and dry on high heat. Store
your luggage away from furniture preferably in an attic, basement or garage.
