Tom Glasgow: Dont take bed bugs lightly

Earlier this week our office received an insect sample that was almost certainly the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius). However, given the potential expense and difficulties of managing a bedbug infestation, I didnt want to be responsible for a false positive. So I shipped the sample up to our Plant Disease and Insect Clinic at NC State just to make sure.

If you, a friend or a relative has or suspects a bed bug infestation, review carefully the bed bug information that has been made available to the public at the NCSU entomology website titled Biting and Stinging Pests, posted at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/biting.htm. From this page, the note Bed Bugs (Biology & Management) is a great starting point in determining whether or not the signs and evidence point to an infestation.

Getting a reliable ID of the insect in question is obviously a critical part of the process. While bed bugs are usually correctly identified by the public and by pest control companies, our Extension entomologists do occasionally run into bat bugs and swallow bugs that can be difficult to distinguish without a microscope or high magnification lens.

When a positive ID has been obtained, its time to decide on a control strategy and get down to business. NCSU Extension entomologists strongly encourage the use of professional services in eliminating bed bug infestations, and caution that do-it-yourself chemical treatments are unlikely to be effective. Furthermore, frustration with this problem frequently leads homeowners to misuse insecticides inside the home, creating serious health risks for people and pets. In some of these cases, excessive insecticide exposure has resulted in the deaths of adults or children.

Even if you arent currently dealing with a bed bug problem at home, Bed Bugs (Biology & Management) would be worth a quick read, just to remind yourself of the various ways in which you could be at risk. An overnight stay in an unlucky hotel room is certainly one possible scenario, but bed bugs could also come to your home on a used mattress or other used furniture.

Oleander cold damage

Last week I noticed a significant number of oleander (Nerium oleander) with obvious signs of cold damage to the foliage. This is to be expected on oleander and other marginally cold hardy species whenever we experience temperatures a little colder than average for the Craven County area.

While oleander is better suited to warmer climates, it seems to have adequate cold tolerance for Craven County. But a protected landscape niche can significantly increase your chances of long term success with this species.

Since the extent of damage to local oleander may not be clear until weve had at least a few weeks of warm weather, it would be best to delay any corrective or clean up pruning until were into mid or late May. New growth might end up masking most or all of the cold weather damage.

Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) is probably even more susceptible than oleander to winter injury, and yellow or brown foliage is a strong indication that damage has occurred. As with oleander, dont be in a hurry to remove foliage

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Tom Glasgow: Dont take bed bugs lightly