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Bed bugs are crawling over Canada
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July, 2010

By Bill Melville

From Newfoundland to B.C. – bed bugs are crawling all over Canada, and they’re not just in hotels. Bed bugs are found anywhere people are, including apartment, condo and office buildings. Some people may think that bed bug infestations only occur in low-income buildings, but these pests do not discriminate. While many pests can be prevented with sanitation, all bed bugs need for survival is their next meal – namely, us. 

 

 

Thought to have been eradicated from North America in the 1960s, experts are now unsure if they ever really left. There are several theories that can explain why they have come back at an alarming speed. Many experts believe this is due to the ease and relative affordability of international travel, and the fact that people are vacationing more and more frequently. With this travel comes the risk of bringing these small pests home. Another theory for their comeback is that pest control treatments have become more targeted and less reliant on persistent pesticides than they were in the 1960s when products like DDT were a commonly used pest management method. So what can a property manager do to discourage an infestation today?

Share education with residents

Be sure to communicate with residents that bed bugs are on the rise throughout Canada and the world. Dispel common myths, by letting them know an infestation can occur within any type of building, whether it is a house, apartment, condo, townhome or hotel, it doesn’t make a difference to these pests. Discourage residents from obtaining used furniture or sharing furniture – there is a reason why furniture is left on the curb. Bed bugs easily spread from home to home through walls or electrical outlets, and can hitchhike a ride on a piece of luggage from a trip abroad, a gym bag or even can be brought home from a movie theater.

It might be helpful to provide residents with a fact sheet about bed bugs and the best ways for them to steer clear of these pests. These tips can be provided on an ongoing basis with newsletters, billing statements and other communications. Make a suggestion that residents use bed encasements on all mattresses and box springs in their home. Encourage residents to inspect their luggage for signs of bed bugs before and after traveling. While you can’t fully prevent bed bugs you can encourage residents to keep condos free of clutter giving them less places to hide, and allowing for earlier detection.

The benefits of early detection

To detect bed bugs in a building, property managers must know what to look for. Adult bed bugs are small pests that are broadly flat, oval and no larger than the size of an apple seed, about half a centimeter in length. These pests are very thin, about the thickness of three sheets of paper stacked together. They can range in color from a light tan shade to dark brown or reddish color after a blood meal. They can’t feed on anything but blood and prefer to feed on human blood, but may feed on other mammals. Humans make their easiest targets because we live in one place and have little hair for them to get through to have their meal.

Since these insects are nocturnal they are most likely to be detected when they feed – at night. Although they do spend time in beds feeding, bed bugs will go back to hiding spots soon after, so residents might not even know they are living with these pests. It takes a bed bug about three to 10 minutes to feed and they can consume about three times their body weight in a single feeding. When a bed bug bites, it injects an anesthetic into the victim’s skin to numb the area, this is why most people don’t feel a bite until after it has occurred. The insect also injects an anticoagulant to keep the blood from clotting so they can continue to feed. Be aware that not everyone shows signs of bites. Only some people have reactions to the bite of a bed bug – the typical reaction is raised itchy bumps. Bed bugs like to hide in small spaces and only come out for meals. After a feeding they typically leave behind tell-tale reddish brown stains on sheets and mattresses.

Bed bugs reproduce rapidly and can travel quickly, hence the need for immediate action after a bed bug sighting. Two adult bed bugs can quickly multiply. In about a month these two pests can produce over 160 offspring, which results in over 200 additional eggs. By this time, they will very likely have also spread to neighbouring rooms or units. Early detection is key in managing these pests.

They prefer to hide closest to their next meal, in mattress seams, box springs, cracks and crevices, picture frames, behind headboards and have even been found in alarm clocks. The key to early detection is regular monitoring of these areas, if you suspect a bed bug infestation leave the room as is, and immediately call a reputable pest management professional.

In addition to traditional sight inspections, there have been several advances in the detection of bed bugs which include DNA swabs to detect the presence of the bugs and bed bug sniffing dogs. These hounds are similar to the dogs used by many law enforcement agencies, but have been specially trained to detect the scent of bed bugs.  Make sure to ask a bed bug dog handler about their certification and training to ensure you’re working with a professional.

Bed bug treatment

In terms of bed bug management, there isn’t one specific miracle treatment, but there are several that can be used to effectively remove bed bugs. Due to the resurgence of these pests many have become resistant to typical chemical applications. Bed bug infested furniture should be disposed of to decrease the chance of re-infestation. Most infected linens can be laundered in hot water with detergent and dried in the dryer. This combination of heat and soap will kill bed bugs and remove any eggs as well.

Pest management professionals can use specialized equipment to heat a home or room to a critical temperature for a sustained period of time. A temperature of 45 degrees Celsius will kill all bed bugs in their harborage areas. Other important tools to be used in a bed bug treatment include a pest management vacuum and steamer unit. Some chemical applications may include fumigation or non-residual and residual chemical treatments to treat carpet, baseboards and non-upholstered furniture. These methods should only be applied by a pest management professional.

Ongoing monitoring

As a property manager, try to establish a routine between residents to carefully inspect units for possible infestations. If an infestation is found contact a pest management professional immediately. A professional inspection can confirm if bed bug suspicions are correct and can help prevent these pests from spreading throughout the building.  

Property managers should work with their pest management professionals and residents to educate everyone about bed bugs. With careful inspection, monitoring and partnership a property manager can help residents keep their home bed bug free. When in doubt about a possible infestation call a pest management professional to gain their expertise and knowledge.

Bill Melville is Quality Assurance Director for Orkin PCO Services.  Mr. Melville has 35 years of experience in the industry and is an acknowledged leader in the field of pest management.  For more information, email Mr. Melville at bmelville@pcocanada.com or visit www.orkincanada.com.
 		  
 
 
 
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