Category Archives: Bed Bugs Kentucky

Bed bugs are well known as annoying biting pests, and they are increasing in importance, including in hotels and other lodging establishments in the U.S. You are encouraged to learn more about the biology of bed bugs and their association with homes, apartments, hotels, and lodging establishments so that you can make more informed decisions about health risks, how to protect yourself when traveling, and whether bed bug control is warranted in a residence or lodging establishment.

Bed bugs require blood in order to reproduce and complete their life cycle. The effect of bed bug bites varies among people, but they eventually produce red welts that itch. The bites themselves are not painful and typically are not felt. However, frequent feeding can disrupt people's sleep and make them irritable, and seeing bites may cause emotional distress in some people. Heavy rates of feeding can result in significant blood loss and eventually lead to anemia, especially in malnourished children.

At least 27 agents of human disease have been found in bed bugs, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms. None of these agents reproduce or multiply within bed bugs, and very few survive for any length of time inside a bed bug. There is no evidence that bed bugs are involved in the transmission (via bite or infected feces) of any disease agent, including hepatitis B virus and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Bed bugs belong to the family Cimicidae of the insect order Hemiptera, the group of insects known as "true bugs." In addition to the three species that are associated with humans, there are at least 88 species of Cimicidae in the world that live with and feed on bats or birds. Approximately 10-12 species of these bugs occur in the continental U.S., including four species in Indiana. Two species are known as "bat bugs," one is known as a "swallow bug," and one is known as a "purple martin bug." Bat bugs and swallow bugs typically feed on their bat or bird hosts, but will feed on humans if their normal sources of blood are not available. The effects of their bites are similar to those associated with the bites of bed bugs. There is no evidence that bat bugs and swallow bugs transmit disease agents to humans.

There are two additional groups of Hemiptera that bite humans, the so-called "kissing bugs" and "assassin bugs," both of which belong to the family Reduviidae. Kissing bugs feed on the blood of mammals and birds, and transmit a protozoan parasite that causes a disease of humans known as "Chagas Disease." Chagas Disease is widespread in Central and South America, and an occasional case occurs in Texas. Assassin bugs, instead of being blood feeders, are predators on other insects, including crop pests. They are beneficial insects, but they will bite humans if mishandled, and the bites are very painful.

There is only one species of bed bug in Indiana, Cimex lectularius. This species is a pest of humans worldwide, including the entire U.S., and has over 50 common names, among them "mahogany flat," "redcoat," "wall louse," and "bed louse." A second species of bed bug, Cimex hemipterus, is limited to tropical regions of the world. A third species of bed bug, Leptocimex boueti, lives with and feeds on both humans and bats in West Africa.

Adult bed bugs are about inch long, oval, reddish-brown, and wingless. Their body is very flat, and they possess long, slender legs and antennae. They have a long, segmented proboscis (beak) that extends forward when the bug takes a blood meal. At rest, the proboscis lies beneath the body and projects backwards between the legs. Immature bed bugs are known either as "larvae" or "nymphs." They closely resemble adults, but are smaller and less deeply pigmented.

Bed bugs develop from egg to adult via a process called "gradual metamorphosis." This means the last larval stage develops directly into an adult without passing through a non-feeding pupal stage. There are five larval stages, and each one requires a blood meal before molting into the next life cycle stage. Both adult male and female bed bugs feed on blood and take repeated blood meals during their lives. Females require blood for the development of eggs.

The five larval stages are completed in about a month under suitable conditions of temperature, humidity, and availability of hosts for blood meals. Larvae can survive inside dwellings for several months without a blood meal, but they do not molt into the next life cycle stage until they engorge on blood. Adults can survive even longer under the same conditions, but, again, do not develop eggs unless they feed on blood.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed this document to highlight emerging public health issues associated with bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) in communities throughout the United States.

Photo 1. Bed Bug. Photo courtesy of Dr. Harold Harlan, Armed Forces Pest Management Board Image Library

Bed bugs (Photo 1) have been common in U.S. history. Although bed bug populations dropped dramatically during the mid-20th century (1), the United States is one of many countries now experiencing an alarming resurgence in the population of bed bugs. Though the exact cause is not known, experts suspect the resurgence is associated with increased resistance of bed bugs to available pesticides, greater international and domestic travel, lack of knowledge regarding control of bed bugs due to their prolonged absence, and the continuing decline or elimination of effective vector/pest control programs at state and local public health agencies.

In recent years, public health agencies across the country have been overwhelmed by complaints about bed bugs. An integrated approach to bed bug control involving federal, state, tribal and local public health professionals, together with pest management professionals, housing authorities and private citizens, will promote development and understanding of the best methods for managing and controlling bed bugs and preventing future infestations. Research, training and public education are critical to an effective strategy for reducing public health issues associated with the resurgence of bed bug populations.

Although bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, they are a pest of significant public health importance. Bed bugs fit into a category of blood-sucking ectoparasites (external parasites) similar to head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis). Bed bugs, like head lice, feed on the blood of humans but are not believed to transmit disease. Other ectoparasites, such as body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis), are known to transmit several serious diseases. Differences in the biology of similar species of pests, such as body lice and head lice (or bed bugs) can greatly impact the ability of pests to transmit disease.

Photo 2. Skin Reaction to Bed Bug bites. Photo courtesy of Dr. Harold Harlan

Bed bugs cause a variety of negative physical health, mental health and economic consequences. Many people have mild to severe allergic reaction to the bites with effects ranging from no reaction to a small bite mark to, in rare cases, anaphylaxis (severe, whole-body reaction) (2). These bites (Photo 2) can also lead to secondary infections of the skin such as impetigo, ecthyma, and lymphanigitis (3,4). Bed bugs may also affect the mental health of people living in infested homes. Reported effects include anxiety, insomnia and systemic reactions (1).

Research on the public health effects of bed bugs has been very limited over the past several decades, largely due to the noted decline in bed bug populations in the latter half of the 20th century. Now that bed bug populations are rapidly increasing, additional research is needed to determine the reasons for the resurgence, the potential for bed bugs to transmit disease and their impact on public health.

Economically, bed bug infestations are also a burden on society. Although the exact dollar amount is not known, the economic losses from health care, lost wages, lost revenue and reduced productivity can be substantial. The cost of effectively eliminating bed bugs may be significantly more than the cost of eliminating other pests because bed bug control usually requires multiple visits by a licensed pest control operator and diligence on the part of those who are experiencing the infestation. Control in multi-family homes is much more difficult than in single family homes because bed bugs frequently travel between units, either by direct transport by humans or through voids in the walls. There are additional costs and complexities associated with coordinating and encouraging participation from multiple residents.

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CDC - EHS - Bed Bugs CDC-EPA Joint Statement

Ellen Topness

Ellen Topness has been a counselor in the mental health field for over 20 years. She has a Master of Arts degree in counseling. Throughout her career, Topness has enjoyed writing articles, poems and vignettes for pleasure. She is currently compiling a book of these articles.

University of Kentucky researchers advocate using professionals to get rid of infestations. Exterminators will make use of chemicals to treat bed bug-infested areas. These products are not natural, but work best in fighting these insects. However, some natural remedies may be beneficial in getting rid of bed bugs if utilized in early stages of infestation.

Bed bugs are tiny, reddish brown bugs that can be found in beds and mattresses, and will bite humans while they sleep....

There are few natural ways to kill bed bugs that will work well on small infestations. However, these remedies are not the...

While natural remedies are not the most effective method for removing bed bug infestations, they can help with small problems and pave...

Remedies to Get Rid of Bed Bugs. Bed bugs hide in the crevices of your furniture, waiting to feed on your blood....

Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that easily hide within fabrics and in small spaces. The insects often feed on a human...

Bed bug infestations have increased in recent years. Bed bugs are not a sign your house (or bed) is dirty. Bed bugs...

If you have a small bed bug infestation, several natural treatments can kill them. However, bed bugs are difficult to get rid...

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Environmental Management Branch 275 East Main Street, HS1C-D Frankfort, Ky. 40621 Phone: (502) 564-4856 Jessica Davenport

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In recent years bed bugs have made a resurgence throughout the U.S. In response, the Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) provides guidelines to help individuals and businesses with prevention, surveillance and control of bed bug infestations.

Based on reports from local health departments and pest control operators, bed bug infestations have been found in hotels, nursing homes, public housing, apartment complexes, moving vans, jails, furniture rental stores, dormitories and other multi-unit dwellings as well as in single-family homes.

What do bed bugs look like?Bed bugs are about a quarter-inch long with reddish brown, oval, flattened bodies. They easily may be mistaken for ticks or cockroaches. Bed bugs feed mainly at night on the blood of people and animals. They have been found in homes, apartments, hotels, motels, dormitory rooms and many modes of transportation such as buses and moving vans.

Adult bed bug feeding on a person Image used with permission

Where are bed bugs found?

They can be found almost anywhere in your house or other buildings. They tend to like fabric and wood as opposed to metal and plastic. Places to look include:

Dos and Donts

Do not pick up any used furniture or mattresses/box springs from the roadside or your garbage containers.

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Kentucky: Cabinet for Health and Family Services - Bed Bugs

Bed bugs (ick!) hitch rides on summer vacation. With new data on the nation's bed bug hotspots Philadelphia is No. 1 there are tips on how not to bring them home.Hint: keep luggage and clothes in the bathroom.

Terminix released its ranking of the top 15 cities with bed-bug infestations today (based on the number of calls in each market), raising public awareness of how people can avoid these nasty insects during the busy summer travel months.

The problem with the steady increase in bed bugs is that they are showing up more in public places such as schools, hospitals, and theaters, says Stoy Hedges a Terminix entomologist.

As bed bugs hitch rides on purses, luggage and clothes, and find a person to feed on, one female or a few eggs can grow and reproduce.

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Most infestations dont rise to nightmare level with hundreds, but a few bed bugs is enough to be concerning, says Mr. Hedges.

Researches do not know why bed bugs appear more in certain geographic areas (Ohio has three cities on the top 15 list), but they are widespread across the US.

Although there is no central data management for bed bug incidents, their numbers do appear to be on the rise, says Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs at the National Pest Management Association.

A study done by the NPMA and the University of Kentucky in August 2011, found that 99 percent of US pest management professionals surveyed said they treated bed bugs within the past year. This is up from 95 percent in 2010, but a large increase over just 25 percent in 2000. According to the survey, 73 percent of said that bed bugs are the most difficult pest to treat.

Individual companies report their findings from their business, she says. That is a good reflection of what is going on, but not representative of what all companies are finding.

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Bed bugs: How not to bring them home from summer vacation hot spots