Category Archives: Bed Bugs Nebraska

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Latest Bed Bug Incidents and Infestations

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What Attracts Bed Bugs Into Your Home? | Food, Perfume, Urine?

Many people believe that bed bugs can only infest a dirty, unkempt household

but this is NOT the case.

Bed bugs can infest any environment.

It doesnt make a difference whether the residence is state of the art or in a state of decay, bed bugs will come as long as theres sufficient food available.

We know this because there are plenty of cases of bed bugs infesting run-down apartments along with 5-star hotels.

The reason infestations are more common in dirtier residences is because clutter and neglect can cause property owners or tenants to identify an infestation less quickly.

Allowing it to spread rapidly and easily.

Bed bugs are attracted to human blood like mosquitoes and other similar insects.

But unlike other insects

They cannot fly or jump.

They are also unable to live 24/7 on their hosts to get a full meal (unlike ticks).

Because of this bed bugs only feed strategically while their hosts are asleep.

When bed bugs are young, its hard to see them because of their small size and pale color.

But when they become adults you should be able to spot them more easily

In fact, to those who are observant..

Bed bugs are visible to the naked eye.

Unless theyre in a cluttered environment that makes them difficult to locate.

Keep in mind that it isnt the clutter itself that will attract bed bugs, but certain other factors.

The main cause of bed bugs is an overall lack of awareness.

So its important to educate yourself and know what to look for. This includes:

How to spot bed bugs before they can spread

The right steps to prevent the specific causes of bed bugs

And how to kill bed bugs

Because if youre stuck with a severe bed bug problem:

It will turn your life upside down.

So dont sit there and let bed bugs take over your home. If you spot even one bed bug, its critical that you take immediate action.

We are bed bugs primary hosts.

(and main source of food)

So its no surprise that bed bugs appear all over the world, with reported cases in every state in America.

Although many believe that bed bugs mainly come from motels and hotels because of the volume of foot traffic in these locations..

(Note: If you have experienced bed bugs at a hotel. You may be eligible for financial compensation).

The fact is bed bugs can appear almost anywhere as they hitchhike from one place to another.

Some of the lesser talked about places where bed bugs are found include:

Wherever bed bugs are found, its likely you will unknowingly bring them home with you.

Its important to be mindful of the fact that certain foods attract common rodents and pests.

Mice and rats for example:

Are attracted by foods such as peanut butter, hot dogs, nuts, or dried fruit.

Insects like bed bugs on the other hand

Need ONLY warm-blooded creatures to survive.

Though there are cases where bed bugs feed on animals, for the most part, they stay strictly with humans.

This is why bed bugs are labeled as parasites. Which is an organism that depends on another species (a host) to survive.

So to answer this question.

Bed bugs are attracted by humans.

Specifically, by their body heat and from the carbon dioxide that humans exhale.

Blood makes up around 7% of the overall weight of a human being. So, if the average weight of an adult male is 180 pounds:

Thats just over 12 pounds of blood.

In other words

Humans are essentially an unlimited food source for these creatures.

There is a lot of talk out there about whether bed bugs are more attracted to certain types of blood.

Humans can have varying blood types like the following:

(A+ | A- | B+ | B- | O+ | O- | AB+ | AB-)

Currently, there are no credible scientific studies that indicate whether your blood type affects your propensity to be bitten by bed bugs.

Though there is talk out there about whether having a noticeable blood-alcohol level can deter bed bugs from biting you. According to a University of Nebraska-Lincoln study, bed bugs do prefer alcohol-free blood.

(Though we wouldnt recommend drinking consistently to avoid being bitten).

At the end of the day You shouldnt worry about how your blood type will affect your likelihood of being bitten and experiencing symptoms.

Though it is true that bed bugs might be attracted to certain people over others.

Even if its not likely due to blood type

But instead bed bugs might be more attracted to you because of the following:

First of all, we should note that cleaning chemicals do not attract or deter bed bugs.

From what we know, there is NO evidence that suggests products you use regularly in your home.

Such as:

Would have any real effect in attracting these pests.

Bed bugs, however, are attracted to a chemical called histamine, according to Dr. Regine Greis (who is famous for letting bed bugs bite her over 180,000 times).

Histamine, will build up on the skin and feces of bed bugs to alert their friends of safe locations to come feed.

Researchers discovered that this is a common way that these insects communicate.

(Through the build-up of Histamine)

This pheromone causes issue with infestations that are facing neglect. When not dealt with, the build up of Histamine will cause the infestation to snowball.

Do Bed Bugs Like Perfume?

As mentioned above, there are no household products that will specifically attract bed bugs.

Therefore, strong scents such as perfume will have no effect on an existing or future bed bug infestation.

Below are 5 things that people say attract bed bugs, and we will debunk whether they indeed attract bed bugs or not.

This is a myth.

Bed bugs are famous for their ability to go unseen for long periods of time.

So, you might be concerned whether bed bugs like to hide in wood.

Though these insects like to hide in cracks/crevices

(Which could exist in wood)

Theyre not going to especially seek it out.

Therefore, discarding wood furniture will have no effect on your homes vulnerability to an infestation.

This is a myth.

Its embarrassing to think about this, but its common sense.

If bed bugs feed on blood

Are you at greater risk to being bitten when on your period?

The key here is that its not the scent of blood that attracts bed bugs. Its the CO2 and body heat from the host.

So the answer to this is NO.

Bed bugs are not more attracted to someone on their period and they have no way to even sense that.

This is a myth.

There is little evidence showing that urine will attract bed bugs.

Yet why is this a common misconception?

Here is the thought process:

This is a myth.

Though certain scents will attract bed bugs, those smells do not come from the cleaning chemicals in your closet.

Products like ammonia, bleach, laundry detergent, Windex, dishwasher detergent, etc. will not attract bed bugs.

There is one chemical, histamine, that does in fact attract bed bugs, though it is not found in common household products.

This is a fact.

According to the Journal of Medical Entomology, researchers found that bed bugs are actually attracted to certain colors more than others.

In this study it concludes that the following colors can trigger bed bugs:

Top colors that attract bed bugs = Black, Brown, Red

Top colors that deter bed bugs = Yellow, White, Green

So when it comes to bedsheets, there are certain darker colors that may attract bed bugs.

Though keep in mind that simply changing the color of your sheets is not going to remove or prevent an infestation from happening.

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What Attracts Bed Bugs Into Your Home? | Food, Perfume, Urine?

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Bed Bug Management | Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Bed Bug Webinars

Archived Bed Bug Webinars from University of Minnesota Extension

Tips for Travelers: Learn how to Be Aware, Inspect, Prevent bed bugs from expert Dini Miller, Virginia Tech University Extension

Bed Bug Management: This interactive publication describes how to avoid bed bugs and what to do if you get them. Videos show how to inspect a bed for bed bugs, how to build your own monitoring trap, when to hire a bed-bug sniffing dog, and how to prevent bed bug bites. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.

Let's Beat Bed Bugs Videos: University of Minnesota Extension. Available in English, Spanish and Karen (Burmese).

Las Chinches de Cama y el Manejo Integrado de Plagas: Rutgers University

Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County is your on-line educational resource. The information on this Web site is valid for residents of southeastern Nebraska. It may or may not apply in your area. If you live outside southeastern Nebraska, visit your local Extension office

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Bed Bug Management | Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

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10 Totally Creepy Bugs Found In Nebraska

Posted in Nebraska July 25, 2015 by Delana Lefevers

Ill get this out of the way right away: bugs are a very important part of every ecosystem. They might be pesky and sometimes harmful, but they all have their place in the interconnected web of life.

Having said that, Ill also say that Im a little freaked out by bugs. Last week I had my entire household running around trying to catch some big, scary flying thing while I cowered in the corner. (We catch and then release outside because, although I really dont like them, I also dont like killing them unless theyre about to kill me.)

Most of the bugs I personally freak out about are completely harmless, but there are some to be legitimately scared of. If youre a farmer or gardener, theres a whole catalog of creepy crawlies to watch out for but these 10 bugs are worthy of a little caution no matter who you are or what you do.

The name "assassin bug" applies to several species of insects that kill prey by stabbing it repeatedly and injecting it with venom. They may be good for controlling some pest populations, but they have no problems biting humans if bothered. Their bite is said to be exceptionally painful.

These little buggers have been around for thousands of years, at least, and they probably aren't going anywhere soon. They were thought to be almost eradicated in developed nations in the 1940s, but they resurged in the 1980s thanks to pesticide resistance and other factors. Bed bugs are very hard to get rid of and can hide in/on all kinds of soft surfaces like mattresses, bedding, clothing, luggage, and many more. So take extra care examining that "great deal" of a sofa you find at a garage sale.

Although black widows can strike fear into the heart of just about anyone, being bitten and injected with the dangerous venom is not all that common. Only adult females are venomous and feature that famous red hourglass marking on their underbellies. Even if you do happen to stumble across one and suffer a bite, it's rarely fatal - though you'd definitely need immediate medical attention.

These beetles won't come after you to bother you, but if you happen to pick one up and squeeze it, you'll be rewarded with a squirt of painful skin irritant that usually causes a blister. The irritant is so strong, in fact, that it's used in some wart removers.

It seems like most people in Nebraska have encountered at least one of these guys. They aren't aggressive, but when they're trapped and threatened (like when they're hiding in a shirt that you happen to pick up and put on) they are known to bite - and that bite can pretty gnarly. Most people can be bitten and exhibit few or no symptoms; some - particularly young people and those with compromised immune systems - will develop serious necrosis at the bite site that takes months to heal.

The Cow Killer is officially known as the Eastern Velvet Ant despite the fact that it's actually a wasp. The adult females look like huge, hairy, brightly colored ants. They have no wings, unlike the males. The females have another talent that the males don't: they inflict a bite so incredibly painful that it's said to be strong enough to kill a cow. Cow killers are solitary (they don't live in nests with hundreds of others) and are usually found in sandy areas.

Their scientific name is Belostomatidae, but if you like to fish or swim in lakes you might know them better as toe biters. These seriously big bugs can reach nearly five inches in length and they sport some wicked pincers. They hide in the water and use those pincers to catch small fish, frogs, snakes, snails, and - in particularly nightmarish situations - even baby turtles. They have no problem with biting humans who get too close, and their bite is said to be one of the most painful inflicted by any insect.

This is the only bug on this list that's almost harmless - it just looks so absolutely freaky that it seems to belong on a list of scary bugs. The monkey slug is actually the larval stage of the hag moth. Although a few varieties can sting, it's not especially painful and there's no real danger from the terrifying-looking caterpillar. It's just really, really icky. Seriously, I'd rather look at more pictures of spiders.

If you grew up in Nebraska you're familiar with the tick check that comes after every outdoor adventure. Humans and animals alike have to be carefully checked for these blood-sucking hitchhikers. Although they're ecologically very important, they're dangerous to humans and animals because their bite can transmit several bacteria, viruses, and disease-causing protozoa.

These big, hearty spiders can be found pretty much everywhere in the world that isn't ridiculously cold all year. It's easy to be afraid of wolf spiders because of their size and their seeming fearlessness (I've seen them stand down an advancing human). Despite your mom telling you they're perfectly harmless, wolf spiders actually do bite, and those big pincers make the bite pretty painful. Luckily, their venom isn't particularly harmful.

I dont know about you, but looking at pictures of bugs always makes me think I can feel them crawling on me. If youll excuse me, Im off to take a few dozen showers to wash the creepy-crawly feeling away. Let us know in the comments: which Nebraska bugs are you afraid of?

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As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.

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10 Totally Creepy Bugs Found In Nebraska

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Here’s How to Tell If You Have Chigger Bites or Scabies – MSN Money

Courtesy Adam Friedman, MD Chigger bites vs. scabies

Chiggers and scabies are the mites that bite. Yep, both of these little biters are actually mites, which makes them arachnids, not insects. That means they are more closely related to ticks than other biting insects like mosquitoes.

But they each have their own style of biting, you get exposed to them in different ways, and only one of these mites is highly contagious and requires medical attention.

Here's how to tell if your bites are due to chiggers or scabiesand how to protect yourself.

Chiggers are an outdoor biting pest. "They feed once, and will not reproduce indoors and have continuous generations," says entomologist Jody Green, PhD, at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

They are typically found in wild plantings, gardens, pollinator habitat, woods and brush, long grass fields, trail edges, dense shrubbery, or even on short, manicured lawns. They like hot and humid conditions, and are most common in the South and Midwest in the United States. However, they can be found nearly anywhere in the world.

Chiggers are tiny, only about 1/100 of a millimeter in size and only bite people when they're in the larva stage. (Here's how you can tell the difference between a chigger bite and a mosquito bite.) While chiggers do stay attached to the body while they are feeding, they can be brushed (or scratched) off.

An interesting (and possibly terrifying) fact about scabies mite is that they live inside the skinon humans (and other mammals).

"Unlike chiggers, scabies is an infestation, meaning the scabies mite actually burrows under the top layer of one's skin," says dermatologist Adam Friedman, MD, professor and interim chair of dermatology at The George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

Unfortunately, you can't just flick them off your skin. They're colorless and so tiny, a microscope is the only way to see them. (Here are the 12 gross things living on your body right now.)

Undisturbed, chiggers might stay on the skin for three or four days before dropping off. Scabies, on the other hand, aren't going anywhere. They can cause a persistent, maddening itch for months or even years until you get a treatment that kills them. (There's a reason they sometimes call scabies the seven-year itch.)

"Chiggers are ectoparasites, so they bite and feed on the outside of the body. Scabies mites burrow under the surface of the skin," says Green.

Both bites result in intense itching, but that's where the similarities end.

Chiggers will typically deliver a higher number of smaller sized bites, and they tend to target the lower legs, explains Dr. Friedman. Bites often appear as small, reddish, bumps that look like pimples, with severe itching that is often worse at night.

Green was bitten by chiggers, and she describes it as "the most annoying and most intensely insane itching I've experienced." (Bed bugs also like a good blood meal: Here's are the key differences of a chigger bite vs. a bed bug bite.)

Chigger bites turn up near the ankles and behind the knees, along with any spot where your clothing fits tighter (a waistband, bra line, or the top of socks). "They will migrate to areas of "protection," and in this case, you can see multiple little "bites" in a line along the waist, for example," says Dr. Friedman.

And they've been known to bite in moist places like the groin and armpit area too. (Stock up on these chemical-free insect repellents to keep bugs at bay.)

"Scabies are rarely localized to a single area of the body," Green says. They tend to gravitate to folded areas of the skin to burrow, including between the fingers, the elbow and wrist area, the waist, around genitals, and the buttocks, etc.

Yet, they can affect the entire body from head to toe, Dr. Friedman says. It's not just exposed skin either. "Skin covered by clothing, jewelry, watchband or ring are other common places to find scabies on the body," says Dr. Friedman.

As they burrow, they ingest tissue and feed on lymph fluids secreted by the skin, and that results in a itchy rash that looks like red bumps, pimples, or hives. Intense itching can leave sores and bruises. Like chiggers, the itching can be worse at night.

"In adults, the mites rarely burrow into the skin above the neck," Dr. Friedman says.

Children often have scabies worse than adults. "Scabies can affect the entire body, including the palms, soles, and scalp. Infants and children who have scabies may be tired and irritable from lack of sleep, since scratching at night can keep them awake, and unlike adults, children often get blisters or large nodules from scabies infection," adds Dr. Friedman. (Keep these tips in mind when you're looking for a good pediatrician.)

In relatively rare cases, scabies infestations can be so severe that thick crusts of skin develop that have a "super infestation" of scabies and their eggs. This is known as crusted scabies or Norwegian scabies and can occur in people who are elderly, disabled, or those who have weakened immune systems.

In those cases, the itching and rash normally associated with scabies may be absent. A person with ordinary scabies might have 10 to 15 mites on their body, while someone with crusted scabies will have thousands of them.

Chigger bites can occur at any time, whether you're outside during the day or at night. You may react to getting bit, and ask yourself, "What just bit me?" But you may not see the reddish bite marks that look like pimples or feel the miserable itching right away, says Dr. Friedman: Reactions tend to occur in about six to 12 hours but can take longer. (Keep an eye out for these dangerous bugs this summer.)

Like with all insect and mite bites, the reaction time will vary depending on the person's immune response. It's not the burrowing itself that causes a reaction, but the mite, it's eggs and fecal matter. Still, Dr. Friedman says, "It may take two to six weeks for the signs and symptoms of scabies to appear in people who have never had the condition.

The itching can start much sooner if you've had scabies before. "If a person has had scabies in the past, they usually start itching within one to four days of contact," Dr. Friedman says. (Here's how to tame itchy skin with these home remedies.)

You might not want to know the mechanics behind a chigger bite, but it helps to understand why you're itching so bad and why it lasts so long. "Chiggers pierce the skin with a small mouthpart and secrete enzymes into your skin, breaking it down. At the same time, they create a channel or tube (called a stylostome) to suck up the liquified skin cells," says Green.

The damage from the skin breaking and the duration of how long they ate, equates to how long you will itch. You're basically going to feel itchy until new skin starts to grows over the little sucking tubes the chigger made. For Green, it took about one week of "uncontrollable itching."

For others, it can take two weeks to a month. Unlike the itching from scabies, a chigger bite itch will eventually go away. (Unless you get bit by more chiggers.) The scabies itch continues until you see a doctor for a treatment that will kill them.

To get relief from chiggers-related itching, Dr. Friedman has a few suggestions. "Oral antihistamines or topical corticosteroid creams/ointment. Cold compresses (ice, frozen peas) may also help to obscure the sensation and limit swelling." (Here's how to make your own DIY doctor-approved ice packs with things you already have in your house.)

Chigger bites are annoyingly itchy. If you can't stop itching, call your doctor or dermatologist to get a prescription for a higher potency topical steroid. It's essential to keep the scratching at a minimum. Otherwise, it can lead to a secondary skin infection.

Dr. Friedman says to call your doctor if you have pain, swelling, pus (white or greenish discharge), fever, weakness, or joint pain. You might not even have to go to the doctor's office for a diagnosis. (Find out how to make a telehealth appointment work for you.)

You won't get by with anti-itch cream to treat scabies because scabies is very contagious. "Most scabies treatments are topical medications, which are applied to the skin. Permethrin five percent cream is the most common medicine used to treat scabies. It's applied head to toe the first dose and then again in seven days.

Oral ivermectin (while not FDA approved specifically for scabies treatment) deserves consideration as it has shown to be a more practical and effective treatment.

Dosage is based on body weight and repeated a week after the first dose. Other topicals include crotamiton and sulfur ointment for treating scabies in young children and pregnant women. Prescription medicine can kill scabies but the itch may persist for weeks after that.

"The itchy rash can persist for two to three weeks as the dead mites and eggs can continue to annoy the immune system, as the top layer of the skin turns over every 14 days," adds Dr. Friedman. Topical steroids should help the itch and inflammation. (Here are the 13 OTC skin care products dermatologists love.)

Even with the known habitat we mentioned earlier, chiggers can basically be anywhere when you are outside, Green says. That's why you shouldn't walk barefoot or sit directly on the grass.

The best way to prevent chigger bites is covering up. That might not be too appealing in hot summer temperatures, but it's essential, especially if you know you'll be in known chigger territory.

"Wear long pants, long sleeves, shoes, boots to cover up and keep chiggers on the outside. Tuck your pants into your shoes or boots and tuck your shirt into your pants," advises Green. She also recommends wearing permethrin-treated clothing and also DEET (25-30 percent) on the skin.

Because chiggers can hitchhike on clothing, prevent more bites by immediately taking a shower and scrubbing the skin once you get inside. Be sure to wash and dry soiled clothes on high heat to kill chiggers. Wipe down shoes and boots.

You can also cut mitigate the chances of getting chigger bites by keeping turf short and vegetation trimmed. Green says residual insecticides (synthetic pyrethroids) with the active ingredient, bifenthrin, can help suppress chiggers, but spraying large areas can kill beneficial insects and pollinators. (Don't overlook these surprising hazard zones in your backyard.)

Scabies are contagious. They are primarily transmitted by direct human to human contact. But they can be transmitted without touching another human if scabies are on blankets, towels, sheets, and other personal items.

"Scabies mites can survive off the host for up 36 hours and longer in some environmental conditions, so if we've been exposed, they will get on our skin and burrow into the epidermis, the upper layer of skin," says Green. Avoid prolonged close contact with people who have scabies, and if you live someone who has a confirmed case of scabies, Dr. Friedman recommends being treated for scabies. Scabies can also be spread to sexual partners due to skin-to-skin contact.

In addition to the medicinal treatment, some housecleaning is highly recommended to ensure eradication. "Wash all bedding, clothes, and towels that have touched your skin during the past six weeks. Use the hottest water possible for washing and drying," advises Dr. Friedman.

Anything that can't be washed in a washing machine should be dry cleaned or sealed in a plastic bag for at least a week. Finally, vacuum your entire home. After vacuuming, throw away the vacuum bag. Vacuum cleaner's with canisters should be washed with hot, soapy water or cleaned with a cleaning wipe. (Here's how a messy house could be making you sick.)

The post Heres How to Tell If You Have Chigger Bites or Scabies appeared first on The Healthy.

Gallery: 5 Types of Fly Bites You Might Get This Summerand How to Treat Them (Health)

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Here's How to Tell If You Have Chigger Bites or Scabies - MSN Money

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Omaha Pest Control, Inc | Bed bugs – Nebraska

The bed bugs in Nebraska are an increasing nuisance in Omaha, Bellevue, Council Bluffs, and many other cities, so much so that there are even hotel registries that you can check into and see the status and control of a facility that you are thinking of staying at. Call Omaha Pest Control at (402) 969-7378 for more information.

Bed bugs have been in all 50 states and most Americans are aware of and feel that the problem is getting worse. About 75% of the people are concerned about getting involved with them at hotels, movie theaters, friends homes and public transportation vehicles, etc. Omaha, NE ranks in the top 20 most bed bug infested cities of the United States, our location is a major intersection of interstate transfer destinations.

Knowing what signs and what to look for are the first steps in finding control.

Bed bugs live in unnoticed areas and many times go undetected. The bed itself is the most often site of their livelihood, but other furniture, carpets, and wood trims are also common. They are very small (about the size of an apple seed) and can squeeze through spaces about the width of a credit card.

Folds of curtains, chairs, couches, cushions, dresser drawer joints, loose wall paper and hangings are some examples of bed bug harborage areas. They many times go unnoticed as they may be under the seems and folds of the mattress or box spring. Wooden bed frames with many cracks and crevices are ideal for their hiding

Adult bed bugs are an brown longed, flat oval-shaped body that leave blood stains and dark dropping spots. They are similar to a tick.

They are a hardy sort and can travel into your homes at any time. Call Omaha Pest Control at (402) 250-0425for a free estimate and get a scheduled inspection to see what infestation is present and requirements involved in removing the problem. We have many years of experience controlling these issues.

Omaha Pest Control has many years of experience eliminating bed bug problems using residual pesticides with IGR additives (insect growth regulators). Give us a call for a free inspection and estimate to let you know how to achieve success.

Dont hesitate; the bed bugs population will continuously increase rapidly and spread throughout the house, making total control and elimination more difficult. Omaha Pest Control uses the appropriate and EPA approved pesticides to exterminate the bed bug infestation.

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Omaha Pest Control, Inc | Bed bugs - Nebraska

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