After being almost completely eradicated in the United States nearly half a century ago, bed bugs are making a comeback. Cincinnati and its closest suburbs have been frantically dealing with a spike in bed bug sighting recently and, according to local exterminators, the tick-like insects have turned up in small numbers in Brown County.
"In most of the towns in Brown County, bed bugs have been spotted," said Terminix pest professional Seth Carkeek.
The sightings have been scattered, Carkeek said, and in a much, much lower volume than Greater Cincinnati areas are experiencing.
Bed bug infestations can be expensive and time consuming to eliminate, Carkeek said, and can be located by residents who knows what to look for.
According to a fact sheet provided by the Ohio State University Extension Office, common bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are parasites that preferentially feed on humans, specifically on human blood. Adult bed bugs are visible to the naked eye at three-sixteenths to one-fifth of an inch long, and are usually brown or reddish-brown in color. Their flat, oval shape allows the insects to hide in cracks and crevices, and they may swell and darken after feeding.
Common places to find bed bugs are in mattress creases, arm chairs and couches, or places where people tend to sit for long periods of time.
"They usually inhabit places where there is a long period of rest," said Carkeek.
Terry Perrine, Branch Manager for Terminix, said bed bugs are sometimes referred to as "hitchhikers" because they generally spread by latching onto people or clothing, then drop off.
Bed bugs were nearly eradicated in the United States following World War II with the use of synthetic insecticides, like DDT.
Although few remained in the US, the pests continued to remain active in other countries. International travel may have played a role in the resurgence of bed bugs in the United States, Perrine said, which would explain why Cincinnati, home to an international airport, has the third highest exposure to bed bugs in the nation.
Luckily, bed bugs appear to present little threat to humans. Using their beaklike mouth systems to draw from hosts, the insects usually feed and then take long periods of inactive rest.
"We haven't had any cases reported to us, but we have received a lot of calls," said Brown County Health Department's Gina Spiller.
Spiller noted that no law requires bed bug sightings to be reported to the health department, but the agency has been checking up on the issue.
Bed bug bites may cause redness, slight inflammation or a small white welt and should be treated in a similar manner as other insect bites, such as mosquito bites, to avoid infection, Spiller said. Bites may cause itching, but those that are bitten are encouraged not to scratch.
Most importantly, "they are not considered a serious disease threat," Spiller said.
Bed bugs prefer the ankles, neck, face and arms and since the bite is painless, the insects are usually not discovered while feeding. Most of the feeding is done while the host is sleeping, and a bite may take some time to surface.
Perrine said signs of infestations include small blood spots on sheets, mattresses and furniture, resulting from small droplets of blood falling after feeding or even the inadvertent crushing of an insect. Outer shells shed by the insects can sometimes be located near hiding spots.
Perrine also said said that a bed bug infestation can turn up almost anywhere and is not necessarily caused by a a poorly-kept abode.
"Bed bugs are not a reflection of the cleanliness of a home," he said.
While an average resident may be able to spot an infestation, Perrine said a professional should be called in to get rid of the pests.
"We always recommend the help of a professional, even if it isn't us," said Carkeek. "Most pest control companies are capable of handling bed bug infestations."
Terminix is the world's largest pest controller, but Perrine and Carkeek agreed that most pest control operations have developed effective strategies for eliminating the insect.
Getting rid of bed bugs is usually a detailed process with multiple visits to an infested residence.
"It's not a quick solution," Perrine said. "It's not a one-time treatment."
Each pest control company has its own system, with some using residual sprays and chemicals, as well as vacuum, steaming and even carbon dioxide, or "freezing" treatments, although those are uncommon.
Some methods can effectively remove the pests without requiring the residents to throw out sheets, covers, clothing and furniture, Perrine said.
Depending on the severity of the infestation, pest professionals may have to return multiple times to ensure that the insects and their eggs, which can take from six to 17 days to hatch, are killed.
Treatments are usually tailored for a specific situation.
Depending on the process, residents might be able to take immediate occupancy after a treatment, although it may be weeks or a month before the process is complete.
The treatments can be expensive. Perrine estimated an industry average of $500 to $1,000 for an average-sized family home. Some companies may have less expensive options, so those with infestations are encouraged to check around to see which price and treatment best fits their situation. Many pest control companies offer free inspections, although the inspection price should be verified before the company visits a home.
During inspections, pest professionals usually try to find out where the infestation came from, both to let friends, family and coworkers know if they may have an infestations, and to prevent the bed bugs from simply coming back later.
Carkeek said there is an increasing amount of information on bed bugs available at government agencies, and online. Both the OSU Extension Office and the Brown County Health Department can provide literature to those interested.
The best bed bug prevention is awareness, and those traveling overseas should be especially cautious. Carkeek said inspecting hotel rooms and places frequented by travelers is not a bad idea.
For those who may have difficulty locating an infestation, such as the elderly or disabled, family members are encouraged to make routine checks.
More detailed information on bed bugs is located on the Center for Disease Control website, www.cdc.gov.
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