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Introduction

Massachusetts bed bugs got their name from its close association with human sleeping beds where they often seek refuge during daylight, only to come out to feed on the bed occupant(s) at night. The bed bug is an ectoparasite of humans but will also attack poultry, caged and invasive birds, and various mammals including rodents. It was introduced into the United States with the early colonists. With the development of modern pesticides, bed bugs were eradicated in the United Stated by the mid 1950's. Bed bugs started showing up again in the United States around the mid-1990's and since then the number of reported cases have grown exponentially with no signs of slowing. Today, bed bugs are found throughout the United States and the world.

Adults measure 3/16 inch long, and are broadly oval and flat. Bed bugs in Massachusetts are amber to reddish brown in color, depending on how recently they fed. When present in sufficient numbers, it is possible to detect an obnoxiously sweet or foul "locker room" odor, which is emitted from their glands.

A thorough inspection is indispensable. F&W will treat any bed bugs found with a crack and crevice application of appropriately labeled insecticides. F&W's technicians will use great care when treating in order to minimize human exposure to pesticides. In homes, most bed bug infestations can be controlled with insecticide applications to infested upholstered furniture seams, mattress seams, box spring cavities, bed frame crevices, lower wall penetrations, behind baseboards and into the carpet tack strip zone. In apartment buildings, condominiums and hotels, it is advisable to also inspect and treat the units to either side and above and below the infested unit, since bed bugs move readily through structural voids. Additional follow-up treatments by F&W exterminators of infested dwellings are usually necessary for complete control by a bed bug exterminator in MA.

The female bed bug lays 1 to 5 eggs per day with the 1/32 inch long, white eggs being deposited individually in cracks or on rough surfaces and secured with a transparent cement for an average total of 200 eggs; maximum eggs per day is 12, with 541 for a lifetime. There are 5 nymphal instars with a blood meal required for each molt. About 3 to 10 minutes are required for each blood meal, during which saliva containing an anticoagulant is injected. Developmental time (egg to adult) takes 21 days at 86F to 120 days at 65F. The threshold for egg hatching, nymphal development, and adult activity is 55F to 59F. Below 61F adults enter semi-hibernation and the heat stress death point is 111F to 113F. Without a blood meal, once-fed nymphs can survive an average of 51 days (range 28 to 73) at 81F and 70 to 75% RH. Being poorly fed can greatly prolong the life cycle (up to several years in some studies). With normal feeding and reproductive cycles, individuals can live up to 316 days. Not all bed bugs in MA in a residence will feed concurrently. They remain concealed until hungry. Humans are the preferred host of these insects but in their absence bed bugs will feed on poultry, canaries, English sparrows, mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs and bats. Although the bite of bed bugs is painless, most people (80%) develop an allergic reaction to the saliva injected by the bug as it feeds. A swelling usually results from feeding but there is no red spot such as is characteristic with flea bites. Swelling may be severe and extend beyond the immediate bite area in highly sensitive individuals. Although bed bugs have been suspect in the transmission of many diseases or disease organisms in humans, in most cases conclusive evidence is lacking.

Bed bugs harbor in cracks and crevices during the day and come out to feed at night. Typically they can be found around mattress buttons and beading, in box springs or their coverings, and in any crevice of a wooden bed frame, such as where members join. Other places to check are wall hangings such as picture frames, night stands, stuffed furniture, baseboards, floorboard cracks, behind loose wallpaper, light switches, door and window frames, conduits, etc. In heavy infestations, MA bed bugs may be found in wall voids, attics, and other enclosed places. They will crawl considerable distances to obtain a blood meal. They can be introduced into a structure via used furniture or in the belongings of someone who has been living in a bed bug infested situation. Adults can survive for up to 6-7 months if they are well fed and they can feed on other animals if humans are not present. When the temperature falls below 61F adults enter semi hibernation and can survive for months. Bed bug infestations have been found in transportation vehicles such as boats (including cruise ships), trains, airplanes, and buses as well as in movie theaters where they typically harborage in seats and associated frames. Besides the characteristic obnoxiously sweet odor, the other primary clues to an infestation will be the presence of bed bugs and/or small red to reddish brown fecal spots here and there on surfaces.

Ideally, affected persons should not be relocated because of the risk of spreading the problem further. If, however, relocation is a must due to server allergic reactions, all belongings and bed clothing should be laundered and/or placed in a dryer on medium to high heat for a minimum of 15 minutes before being bought to the new location. If pesticide exposure becomes a health concern, an infested bed frame, box spring and mattress and upholstered furniture can be discarded (after being marked or defaced to prevent "adoption" by others) and replaced with new. Professionally-treated or replacement mattresses and box springs should be fitted with special zippered encasements to prevent re-infestation by bed bugs. A standard vacuum cleaner fitted with hose attachment and crevice tool is useful to remove bed bugs when found. Microfiltration vacuum bags should be used to prevent insect allergens from being blown into the air. Filter bags should be place in a sealed plastic bag and discarded after vacuuming to prevent escape and re-infestation by surviving bed bugs. Bed coverings, clothing and comfort toys suspected of being infested with bed bugs should be washed in hot soapy water and run through the medium to high heat cycle in a dryer for a minimum of 15 minutes. Dry clean only fabrics and other sensitive items that can be laundered can be placed in a dryer at low to medium heat for a minimum of 15 minutes.

F&W can help you with bed bug control in Bristol County, Essex County, Middlesex County, Norfolk County, Plymouth County, and Worcester County MA.

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Bed Bug Control | Services F&W Pest Control