Category Archives: Bed Bugs North Carolina

State pest management association offers tips for preventing spread of bed bugs

Raleigh, N.C. Summer travel seasons kicks off this weekend and the North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA) is urging North Carolinians to be vigilant in protecting themselves from bed bug infestations.

Bed bugs are easy to transport from one place to another. Whether youre staying in a hotel, rental property, dorm or summer camp, its important to inspect the property for signs of a bed bug infestation, said Clint Miller, NCPMA board member. Just a few simple steps can prevent an infestation in your own home.

Bed bugs are small insects that are often found in mattresses and upholstered furniture and behind baseboards and wallpaper. They can easily spread from room to room within a single building.

To prevent bed bugs, use the following tips from NCPMA:

Inspect

Before sleeping in a bed at a hotel, rental property, camp or dorm, check the mattress, bed sheets, and headboard for tell-tale blood spots or signs of bed bugs.

If signs of bed bugs are spotted, alert the hotel or rental property staff. Each hotel or rental property should have a Bed Bug Management Plan in place to assist you as the problem is addressed.

Vacuum suitcases after returning from a vacation, summer camp or dorm and throw away the vacuum bag or clean the canister. Wash all clothing from the suitcases in hot water.

Prepare

Consider bringing a large plastic trash bag in which to store your suitcase during stays at hotels, rental properties, dorms or camps.

Carry a flashlight with you to inspect mattresses and furniture in your vacation property.

Read Bed Bugs: Your Guide to Prevention, Detection & Treatment, a NCPMA booklet available through our member companies.

Call

Seek professional pest management to address an infestation. Trying to treat a problem without a professional can make the problem worse and more costly.

To learn more about NCPMA or to locate a pest professional, please visit its Web site at: http://www.ncpestmanagement.org.

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NCPMA's tips: Traveling without bed bugs - Montgomery Herald

Written By Peg Godwin and last updated by Jennifer Stroud

Bed bugs are an increasing problem as they have found their way into homes, hospitals, hotels and other places. Bed bugs can infest any home regardless of income or maintenance. Increased travel and tourism is one factor in the problem.

Bed bugs often hitchhike into homes on clothing, luggage or used furniture. When traveling inspect the furniture and bedding for bed bugs. Place suitcases in the bathtub or a tiled floor while inspecting the room. Bed bugs usually hide during the day in mattresses as well as cracks and crevices. They are most often found in and around the bed in infested homes. Look for the insects themselves and also for black spots that can be droppings. When inspecting mattresses and box springs paying attention to seams. Check behind mirrors and pictures on the wall as well as in curtains. Pull out drawers when looking inside the furniture as well as check cracks and screw holes.

Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown in color and are small in the shape of flatted ovals. Blood filled adults are engorged and dull red. Immatures resemble the adults but are less than 3/16 of an inch long. Newly hatched nymphs are almost colorless after hatching from a white oval egg.

Bed bugs can feed and breed year round when conditions are favorable. Eggs hatch in about a week at temperatures above 70 degrees but take almost a month in cooler temperatures. Bed bugs have an average life span of 4 months.

Many of the products available are not completely effective or can be hazardous if misused. Pest management professionals can confirm bed bug infestation and discuss control options.

Bed bugs are a nuisance but can be controlled. They do not burrow into the skin nor transmit diseases. Bites on the body can be an indication of infestation. For more information look for https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/bedbugs.htm.

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Bed Bugs | North Carolina Cooperative Extension

Charlie Hall CharlieHallNBSJ

The state Division of Health Service Regulation remains mum on specifics about public reports of bed bugs in local adult long-term care facilities.

The division, which is under the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, did not provide any specifics following written and telephone requests by the Sun Journal.

Two state section chiefs are scheduled to talk with the Craven County commissioners at their 8:30 a.m. Monday meeting.

Adult Care Home Licensure Section Chief Megan Lamphere and Construction Section Chief Steve Lewis are slated to talk to the commissioners.

Requests for an interview with Lamphere resulted in an email from the communications department, outlining general bed bug issues that would be discussed.

A follow-up Sun Journal request for information related to Craven County did not get a response.

The commissioners first heard about the bed bug reports in several local facilities during the volunteer Craven County Adult Care Advisory Committee report late last month.

Commissioners questioned what was and could be done, with some reports from the committee noting bed bugs in facilities over several years.

County Manager Jack Veit sent a letter to Lamphere requesting she come before the board.

In another major Monday agenda item, the commissioners are expected to officially pass the 2017-18 budget.

The $107 million spending plan has had no major opposition since it was presented about a month ago, including a public hearing.

It maintains property taxes at the current level, $53.94 and includes no new service fees and no use of county savings to balance the plan.

The commissioners also have a work session planned after the morning meeting, which includes addressing a long-standing issue of canine tethering, which has been brought up by an animal rights group several times.

A commissioners committee has studied the matter for several months and could offer changes to the current animal ordinance, which does not address tethering times or rules.

If the board decides to make changes or additions, a public hearing will be scheduled for a future meeting before a final vote can be taken.

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State officials will address bed bug issue Monday before Craven commissioners - New Bern Sun Journal

WISN Milwaukee

Most Americans fear bed bugs but can't spot one WISN Milwaukee 25 at the Welcome Center located at the Virginia/North Carolina Line on Interstate 77. Several attempts are made on multiple vending machines. After obtaining a few snacks, one of the thieves is seen in the footage doing what appears to be a victory dance. and more »

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Most Americans fear bed bugs but can't spot one - WISN Milwaukee

The city manager in Augusta, Maine, says the municipal office building had to be sprayed for bedbugs after a man threw a cup of the pests onto an office counter and about 100 of them scattered off. (Courtesy William Bridgeo)

The city manager in Augusta, Maine, says the municipal office building had to be sprayed for bedbugs after a man threw a cup of the pests onto an office counter and about 100 of them scattered off.

City Manager William Bridgeo tells the Kennebec Journal the man apparently complained Friday to the code enforcement office about bedbugs at his former apartment then left, but returned after he showed the cup of bugs to a manager at his new apartment and was told he couldn't live there.

Bridgeo says the man let the bugs loose in the General Assistance Office where he asked for a form to request assistance and apparently was told he didn't qualify.

Police didn't immediately release the man's name or say if any charges would be filed.

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Disgruntled man releases bedbugs in Maine city office - Fox Baltimore