Bed Bugs

Most of us grew up hearing the rhyme, “Good night, sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite!” For many years, bed bugs were thought to have been eradicated in the United States, but they have made a huge comeback after developing resistance to the chemicals used to kill them. Although these pests are not vectors of disease, they are considered a public health threat. Finding bed bugs at home is extremely upsetting. If you own or manage a business in the hospitality industry, bed bugs can destroy your reputation.

Bed bugs are tiny, oval-shaped insects that are often found in and around the bed, in curtains, and behind wall outlets or wallpaper. As the infestation gets larger, they will migrate to other parts of the home. Often, seeing the bugs is not the first indication of a problem. The signs of bed bugs include waking up with itchy, red bites or seeing tiny blood spots or rust-colored stains on sheets or mattresses.

Bed bugs can spread in a number of ways, including:

• When traveling or staying in hotels 
• On public transportation 
• Secondhand furniture and clothing 
• In dressing rooms and stores 
• During hospital stays 
• On plumbing pipes and through walls in apartments or condominiums

After treatment, you can help prevent future infestations by: 

• Keeping the bedroom clean and free of clutter 
• Using protective covers on mattresses and box springs 
• Vacuuming regularly 
• Using bag stands in hotels 
• Checking hotel rooms carefully upon arrival 
• Avoiding secondhand furniture or inspecting it thoroughly 
• Washing everything in hot water when you get home from traveling