A Closer Look at Bed Bugs: Key Insights for PMPs

Nothing makes us suddenly itch like seeing severe infestations of bloodsucking parasites. A scalp teeming with head lice, or a mattress caked in bed bugs, can quickly get our skin crawling. While they are not known to spread disease, bed bug bites can cause itchy, allergic reactions, and mental distress for many people. Bed bugs are considered one of the more challenging pests PMPs face and controlling them has remained an important service offered by pest management companies throughout the US. Let’s discuss some common bed bug FAQs:

Hitchhiking bed bugs can easily climb aboard our clothing, luggage, and other belongings as we travel from place to place. Bringing them home could quickly lead to a problem since they are so prolific. Depending on the conditions and her access to bloodmeals, a female bed bug can lay upwards of 200-500 eggs in her lifetime. Bed bugs have a significant infestation potential since they have a high reproductive output and are very cryptic, allowing them to go unnoticed for a very long time in some cases.

Yes, bed bugs are classified as pests of significant public health importance by the EPA and the CDC. While reactions to their bites are variable, bed bugs can negatively impact the physical health and mental wellbeing of the people living with them.

Bed bugs are incredibly resilient organisms. They are hardy against starvation and have a life span of about a year in some conditions. Even though nymphs require a blood meal to molt and progress to the next growth stage, they can survive months without feeding. Additionally, wide-spread insecticide resistance has been well documented for bed bugs. For example, studies have shown bed bug populations with penetration resistance (where they have thickened cuticles that reduces the absorption of the insecticide), and metabolic resistance (where they can detoxify or break down the insecticide after it enters the body). This adds to the challenge since PMPs still heavily rely on chemical control and conventional pesticides to combat bed bugs.

1. When staying at a hotel, avoid keeping your luggage on the bed. Not only should the mattress be inspected, but any luggage racks, table top areas, or hard surfaces should be looked over before setting your suitcase on it.
2. Check your clothing, belongings, and suitcases upon returning home from travel before bringing it inside. Start the laundry immediately.
3. Be cautious about purchasing any used furniture and home décor. Discarded items on the roadside should be avoided. Bed bugs can be found on a variety of household items beyond mattresses and bed frames.

Check out our Spectre 2 SC product! It contains the pro-insecticide chlorfenapyr and is effective against hard-to-control pests such as ants and bed bugs. Bed bug treatments may be made to the edges, tufts, and seams of mattresses. General surface applications to mattresses are not permitted with Spectre 2 SC. Be sure to allow the application to dry before remaking the bed.

For a convenient ready-to-use option, check out D-Fense NXT. Labeled for use on mattresses, box springs, furniture, medical transport chairs, and more, this 3-way aerosol brings flexibility and results to your bed bug management program.