Bed Bugs - What,? Avoiding etc.

What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are insects that, as adults, have oval-shaped bodies with no wings. Prior to feeding, they are about 1/4 inch long and flat as paper. After feeding, they turn dark red and become bloated. Eggs are whitish, pear-shaped and about the size of a pinhead. Clusters of 10-50 eggs can be found in cracks and crevices. Bed bugs have a one-year life span during which time a female can lay 200-400 eggs depending on food supply and temperature. Eggs hatch in 10 - 14 days.  If you are using a spray to rid an area from bedbugs, treatment should be repeated in 2 weeks.

Avoiding Bed Bug ‘Hitch Hikers’

You can get bed bugs from visiting clients or friends or making service calls at locations that have had a bed bug infestation. No one wants to pick up and bring home (or to another location) unwanted pesty passengers.

There are two ways to get bed bugs—migration and hitch hiking. Migration is when bed bugs walk to an adjacent unit through hallways, plumbing, electrical lines, or other means. Hitch hiking is when bed bugs climb into or on bags, clothing, or other belongings and are relocated by a person.

Can I get sick from bed bugs?
There are no known cases of infectious disease transmitted by bed bug bites. Most people are not aware that they have been bitten but some people are more sensitive to the bite and may have a localized reaction. Scratching the bitten areas can lead to infection.

Some bed bug biology to consider:

                 Bed bugs feed at night and hide during the day (90% of their life is spent in hiding areas)

                 Bed bugs prefer dark areas

                 Bed bugs tend to hide near the bed or where the person normally sleeps

                 Bed bugs are unlikely to be active during the day

                 Bed bugs are large enough to be seen with the naked eye (an adult is 6mm long)

                 Bed bugs do not fly or jump

The following practices will help prevent picking up bed bug hitch hikers:

§Learn how to identify bed bugs (see photo)

§When visiting, bring in only what you need and avoid placing bags close to walls and furniture (if this is unavoidable place belongings in a closed white plastic kitchen bag and examine it for any bed bugs before leaving)

§If possible, stand rather than sit, or avoid sitting on furniture with fabric—wood or metal chairs are better

§Inspect shoes, clothing, and belongings after leaving

§If you find any bed bugs kill them immediately

§Put work clothes in the dryer for at least 30 minutes on high heat when you get home

§Use disposable protective clothing such as shoe covers and coveralls

It has come to the attention of the Service that members have been using KONK 408 as a means of disinfectant. It should be noted that KONK 408 is ineffective against bed bugs and is not intended for hand held use. Members should not spray themselves with this product.

 Members who have been exposed to bed bugs may utilize Pro Aerosol insecticide. This product will kill bed bugs and other flying insects and can be obtained from Quartermaster Stores. The spray contains a strong odor and should be used with a mask. WPS members are not to spray themselves directly with this product. Divisional Commanders should ensure that ProAerosol insecticide is available in their respective divisions. Additional information regarding this topic may be accessed via the following Manitoba Health link http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/environmentalhealth/protection/bedbugs.html .