Bed Bug
Description
- Eggs are pearly white and & only 1mm in length
- First stage immature bed bugs are only 1mm in length
- First stage immature bed bugs are pale in color and are somewhat translucent
- Immature bugs go through five developmental stages becoming larger with each stage
- Adult bed bugs are approximately 1/4" in length and are reddish-brown in color
Adult bed bug ~ 1/4" Bed bug eggs
Immature Bed Bugs (start out 1 mm in length and get larger with each developmental stage
Why be concerned?
Although over 28 disease pathogens have been found in bed bugs, transmission of these pathogens to humans has never been documented and is considered highly unlikely. For this reason, they are not considered a serious disease threat. Their medical significance is mainly limited to the itching and inflammation associated with their bite. Not everyone reacts to bed bites in the same fashion, some people have reactions that are delayed for several days or more while others do not react at all. Reactions to bites can also vary significantly between individuals from a mild itchy welt to a more severe rash like symptom. The most common reactions appear as a raised reddened welt similar to a mosquito bite. Bites tend to be very itchy and often appear in rows of 3-4 welts or more.
Bed Bugs Aren't Just Back, They're Spreading (NPR Interview with an Entomologist)
Interview at the Seattle Bed Bug Summit - KIRO Radio 97.3 FM - News Talk
View this story about the rising bed bug problem - KOMO 4 TV News Seattle, WA
What You Can Do
Because they prefer hiding in small crevices with limited access and can go up to 18 months without food, Bed bugs are extremely difficult to elimi¬nate. It's highly recommended that you hire a Bed Bug specialist; the following procedures are recommended to help eradicate bed bug infestations.
- Caution should be taken not to spread bed bugs into non-infested rooms. NOTHING infested should be placed in other rooms unless complete¬ly sealed in plastic.
- All bedding (in infested rooms) should be completely sealed in plastic bags and washed in hot water or dry-cleaned. Tip: GreenClean dissolvable laundry bags.
- Remove clutter... All potentially in¬fested items should be sealed in plastic bags that are labeled separate treatment categories "clothes", "electronics", "photos and books" etc. and left in the center of the room until they are trans¬ported to a treatment chamber.
- Mattress, box springs, night stands, dressers, etc. should be either be se¬lected to stay in the infested room to be inspected and treated OR be sealed and prepared for transport to a treatment chamber.
If items are selected for disposal...Be sure they are discarded in a way that reduces any chance of being salvaged by others. - Make arrangements for chamber treatments. If properly done, treatmen should kill all stages of bed bugs. It is recommended that that treated items are not returned to infested rooms until bed bugs are eradicated.
- Determining the source of your bed bug concern will help you prevent continued infestation. Likely sources include school/college dormitories, second-hand furniture and clothes, visitors (especially from particular states and countries), and wall-sharing neighbors.
- Monitor for activity.
What We Would Do
"Our purpose is to manage Bed Bug populations in a responsible, efficient and economic manner, while limiting the risk of parasitism to People and the infestation of their goods and property."
Eden's Response Plan Implements an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to Bed Bug Management. IPM is an intelligent and responsible approach to pest control that offers low risk, effective solutions. Our comprehensive plan is based on sound scien¬tific knowledge and makes use of the latest technology, equipment and materials.
Our treatments often include: Dry Heat and Steam Treatment, Product application, Mattress Encasements, Monitoring Traps. Learn more about bed bug infestations and what you can do to prevent them.
For more information, please download our BED BUG RESPONSE PLAN.
