Margaret Davis

Virginia Department of Health

Bedding & Upholstered Furniture Inspection

De-Bugging the Bed Bug: Sucking it Up

• We can not prevent the possibility of bed bugs being brought into our facilities but we can prevent an infestation– Proper training on the identification of bugs

and all stages of the larva– Training on specific processes to treat the

problem at first notice– Following up on treated sites– Most importantly taking care of the customer

State Parks Approach to Controlling Bedbugs

A History of Bed Bugs• Originally introduced to U.S. with the early

colonists

• Thought to be gone from the U.S. after 1960, but maybe never left

• Several theories to explain comeback:

– Never really went away– Increase in international

travel– Pest control treatments

have become more targeted and less toxic

3Bed Bugs 101Presented by Orkin Commercial Services & National Apartment Association

The Current Situation

4Bed Bugs 101Presented by Orkin Commercial Services & National Apartment Association

Bed Bug Biology and Behavior

• Adult female may produce 200-500 eggs

• 5 nymphal instars• Nocturnal, feed

between 3-5 am, for 3 – 5 minutes

• Often void part of previous meal while feeding (aka Poop)

• Adults live for 1 yr without feeding; nymphs can live 3 mo.

Sample Infestation Scenario

7Bed Bugs 101Presented by Orkin Commercial Services & National Apartment Association

Male Female

The size of an Apple Seed

Eggs:Visible, 1/32 inch longwhite, laid singly or in clusters50-200, 3 or 4 per dayHatch in 6-17 days

Maximum lay above 70 degrees F.No laying below 50 degrees F.

Bed Bug Problems

Bedbug aggregation

Bed Bug Problems

Heavy infestation:Baseboards, window anddoor moldings, pictureframes, loose wallpaper, cracked plaster, infurniture, light fixtures

Light infestation:Tufts, seams, folds of mattressesThen, crevices inbed frames, box springs

THE Bed Bug Problems

The Bed Bug Problems

“Spotting” the Signs

• Concentrate on a 5 ft. radius from the bed

Bed Bugs 101Presented by Orkin Commercial Services & National Apartment Association 18

Spotting the Signs• Understand not only where to look, but how to look

• A basic inspection includes:

– Checking behind the headboard– Pulling off the bedding, starting at the

corners and making your way around the bed

– Rolling the sheets in toward the center of the bed

– Checking the mattress seams, mattress tags, box spring and bed frame

Diagnosis of infestation:

Dots of dried blood

Dots of excrement

Odor – fresh raspberries

Public Health IssuesMany studies investigated the

ability of bed bugs to vector human diseases,

– Hepatitis B (1983, 2008) – HIV (1987, 2000)

• No conclusive evidence that bed bugs transmit human disease

• Iron deficiency potential• Bites

One study found only 30% reaction. Another study indicated that 96% of refugees in Sierra Leone had local reactions to bed bug bites

Health Issue: Stress

Stress (after an infestation)– Medical bills from

misdiagnosis– Destruction of self-image – Throwing out all

belongings– Moving – Legal action

Stress (no infestation)– Moving, and moving

Lawsuits• NYC >2000 summonses in 2006

– The questions: Did the hotel know they had an infestation?

– Should they have known?– Was there a prevention program in place?– Claims:Damage – Injury (bites)– Emotional stress

Leslie Fox: Suing for 21 million

Bed Bug Prevention

• Prevention– Education: media

and internet, training programs in hospitality industry

– Monitoring: No functional device. Dogs are being used as detectors.

– Repellents: no functional repellents

Jada (Advanced K-9 Detectives)sniffs for bed bugs in Manhattan

Why Conventional Treatments Fail

“Other” Methods• Use in combination with

chemical methods– Monitoring with dogs– Tagging and bagging

with the customer– Vacuuming– Steam cleaning– Mattress covers– Fumigation

• Non-toxic or “natural” products

• Heat treatment• COLD

Temp-Air Heat Remediation System

We are working with Virginia Tech to see if we can borrow when needed these highly effective machines

The heaters bring the room temperature up above 120 degrees killing not just Bed Bugs but roaches and other insects as well

ClimbUp interceptors

Mattress Encasements

Mattress encasements help protect against bed bugs

They are available to purchase through most local exterminating companies for around 40 dollars for a queen size

They are a mesh type material that does not make noise like some of the current covers we are using

They keep bed bugs from ruining the mattress

Can also be used after a bed bug incident to trap the bugs inside where they eventually die

Consistency throughout the State Park system is paramount

• TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING– ALL STAFF MUST BE TRAINED

• Proper identification of bed bugs in all stages of life• Knowledge of inspection procedures for cabins, may very

based on type of cabin for example CCC vs. recently built cabins.

• Understanding symptoms of bedbug bites which may appear on guests.

• How to deal with the issue once it is brought to the attention of park staff. Customer service is the first priority.

• Initial treatment process, including guests personal items

Special thanks to Margaret Davis

with the Virginia Department of Health who did the research, spoke

to experts in the field, compiled data and put together this

presentation for training purposes. (presentation has been slightly modified for Virginia State Parks)

BEDBUGSAdvice on control of…

Thanks to

David Gaines, Ph.DVDH

Dini M. Miller Ph. DVA Tech

William Brogden, Ph.DCDC