Bed Bugs Go Shopping: Strategies to Keep Bed Bugs Out of Your Store
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Transcript of Bed Bugs Go Shopping: Strategies to Keep Bed Bugs Out of Your Store
Bed Bugs Go ShoppingStrategies to Keep Bed Bugs Out of Your Store
Dr. Ron HarrisonDirector of Technical Services, Orkin
• Bed Bugs: The Current Situation• Profile of a Bed Bug• Threats• Bed Bugs in Retail• Monitoring & Detection• Treatment• Q&A
Agenda
The Current Situation
You’re Not Alone
• 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– Pesticide resistance
Bed Bugs 101
A History of Bed Bugs
• Adults about 0.5 cm long, broadly flat and oval (like an apple seed)
• Brown in color (reddish brown after feeding)
• Nocturnal• Must feed on blood; prefers
human blood but may feed on other mammals or poultry
Profile of a Bed Bug
• Takes a blood meal in 3-10 min. (consumes about 3 times its body weight when feeding)
Bed Bug’s Favorite Meal
• Social stigma• Customer complaints or possible litigation• Bed bugs not known to transmit disease. Reactions
can vary: – No reaction– Immediate reaction– Delayed reaction
• Damaged reputation
Bed Bugs Threats
• Populations growing in hotel and apartment environments lead to natural exposure in retail
• Move to office buildings meant more travel for the hitchhiking pest
How Bed Bugs Reached Retail
• While bed bugs are appearing in retail stores, they aren’t ideal environments:– 1 bed bug does not an infestation make– People, but no beds– Shifting inventory: good for
business and bed bugs– Bed bug, not jumping bug– Today’s temperature
The Best of Retail
“Spotting” the Signs
Bed Bug Eggs Unfed Nymph Fed Instars Adult Bed Bug
What to look for:• Bed bugs in any stage• Cast skins• Fecal smears
HOT SPOTS• Dressing Rooms• Alteration Areas• Clothing Racks• Back Storage• Lounges Areas• Returns• Employee lockers and
work stations
“Spotting” the Signs
PREVENTION & IDENTIFICATION• Education and awareness• DNA Swabs• Bed bug sniffing dogs• Emerging methods
• Contact licensed pest management provider immediately• Isolate and dispose of infested items• Isolate affected items and put in the dryer• Heat & steam on soft furniture• Non-residual chemical treatments, e.g., alcohol• Residual chemical treatment – carpet edges, furniture, etc.• Fumigation – Leaves no residual, but requires facility to be cleared
Remediation
• Awareness of emerging trend• Communication between employees• Training from pest management provider• Inspection of your store• Openness in reporting issues• Notification if any signs are found
Take Action
OrkinCommercial.com
Questions?