By Barbara Pierce
“Bed bugs are a growing problem in Central New York,” said entomologist Jody Gangloff-Kauffmann, who works at the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program of Cornell University.
This incredibly fast-breeding pest can enter your household unexpectedly. These tiny bloodsuckers are unrelenting; their bites can cause irritating red bumps and rashes.
Some people have no reaction to bedbug bites, while others experience an allergic reaction that can include severe itching, blisters or hives.
The bites usually clear up without treatment in a week or two. Bedbugs aren’t known to spread disease.
“Bed bugs are a problem for many because they are spread by human activity and migrate when they have no hosts (people),” explained Gagloff-Kauffmann. “They’re good at hiding from us; they’re stealthy and feed on us when we sleep. They reproduce quickly and many infestations are bed bugs that are resistant to common pesticides being used to control them, especially with low-quality pest control.”
As many struggle to find effective solutions, we asked Gangloff-Kaufmann to help us understand more about this alarming increase.
Q: Why are we hearing more about a resurgence?
A: Bed bugs have been a problem in probably all communities. The beginning of their resurgence was around 1999 and it happened among global travelers, then in hotels and transportation, in retail stores for a time, then homes of all types.
As the pest management industry developed the skills to eliminate bed bugs, people could throw money at the problem and be done with it. But not everyone could do that and people who live in rental properties are often stuck because they don’t have control over the property and may not have the money to pay.
Anybody can get bed bugs, but only those with resources can get rid of them.
Bed bugs are unique in that they depend almost exclusively on humans to survive. They only need blood — they prefer people to keep them going. They don’t even need water.
“Bed bugs became a problem after we went through the ban on organophosphates (pesticides) indoors,” said Gangloff-Kaufmann. “The new generations of bugs are highly resistant to any chemicals used to treat them.”
Q: How do I know if I have them?
A: The first signs of a bed bug problem might be seeing bites, but many people don’t react or react right away. The thing many people see first is the black stains on bedding or the side of the mattress or headboard. Bed bugs eat blood and poop out black liquid. To investigate this, take a wet tissue and rub the dark stain to see if it rubs off a rusty color. That suggests there are bed bugs.
The bugs are tiny, the size of an apple seed. Their bites are red, raised bumps that itch and may be swollen, similar to mosquito or flea bites.
Q: How do I get rid of them?
A: You first need to understand bed bugs and how they behave. Hire a pest management company that is reliable and good quality to at least perform an inspection.
It takes a series of painstaking steps, performed correctly — usually with professional training — to control an infestation.
Gangloff-Kaufmann said treatments may include:
• Bed bug traps for monitoring and management
• Mattress encasements (essential to save your sleeping area)
• Conventional pesticide liquid sprays
• Pesticide dusts
• A biological control option, which is a fungus that kills bed bugs
• Steam treatments, especially good for children’s bedding and rooms
• Heat treatments, whole house or whole apartment heat treatment is the most expensive, but effective treatment. However, it doesn’t prevent bed bugs from returning.
There should be several follow ups on whatever was done. Get a guarantee from the pest management company.
Pest management won’t treat your belongings. You’ll need to treat and isolate your belongings to eliminate bed bugs.
Q: What should we NOT try?
A: Things that one should avoid using (I mean seriously avoid): are bug bombs. They are the worst tool, will exacerbate the problem and possibly hurt your health. Also don’t use rubbing alcohol as a pesticide.
Botanical-based over the counter sprays don’t work well, give false hope, are a waste of money, as are the ultrasonic plug-in devices that ‘repel bugs.’ They absolutely do not work. Many of the products that are marketed specifically to kill bed bugs do nothing to kill them.
To avoid getting an infestation, when staying in a hotel, place your bag on a suitcase stand rather than on the bed or floor. Keep the rack away from walls or furniture. When returning home, wash the clothes from your trip and put them in a hot dryer. Inspect furniture before bringing it inside. Look in seams, tufts and under cushions.
It does take time and persistence to get rid of bed bugs. It can be expensive, as well as exhausting. Remember, they’re more of a nuisance than a health concern.