bed bug training for employees

1. De-Bugging
the Bed Bug:
Sucking it Up
Margaret Davis
Virginia Department of Health
Bedding & Upholstered
Furniture Inspection

2. State Parks Approach to
Controlling Bedbugs
• We can not prevent the possibility of bed
bugs being brought into our facilities but
we can prevent an infestation
– Proper training on the identification of bugs
and all stages of the larva
– Training on specific processes to treat the
problem at first notice
– Following up on treated sites
– Most importantly taking care of the customer

3. A History of Bed Bugs
• Originally introduced to U.S. with the early
colonists
• Thought to be gone from the U.S. after
1960, but maybe never left
• Several theories to explain comeback:
– Never really went away
– Increase in international
travel
– Pest control treatments
have become more
targeted and less toxic
Bed Bugs 101
3
Presented by Orkin Commercial Services & National Apartment Association

4. The Current Situation
Bed Bugs 101
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Presented by Orkin Commercial Services & National Apartment Association

5. Bed Bug Biology and Behavior
• Adult female may
produce 200-500 eggs
• 5 nymphal instars
• Nocturnal, feed
between 3-5 am, for 3 –
5 minutes
• Often void part of
previous meal while
feeding (aka Poop)
• Adults live for 1 yr
without feeding;
nymphs can live 3 mo.

7. Sample Infestation Scenario
Bed Bugs 101
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Presented by Orkin Commercial Services & National Apartment Association

8. Male Female

9. The size of an Apple Seed

11. Eggs:
Visible, 1/32 inch long
white, laid singly or in clusters
50-200, 3 or 4 per day
Hatch in 6-17 days
Maximum lay above 70 degrees F.
No laying below 50 degrees F.

12. Bed Bug Problems

13. Bedbug aggregation

14. Bed Bug Problems

15. Heavy infestation:
Baseboards, window and
door moldings, picture
frames, loose wallpaper,
cracked plaster, in
furniture, light fixtures
Light infestation:
Tufts, seams,
folds of mattresses
Then, crevices in
bed frames, box springs

16. THE Bed Bug Problems

17. The Bed Bug Problems

18. “Spotting” the Signs
• Concentrate on a 5 ft. radius from the bed
Bed Bugs 101
Presented by Orkin Commercial Services & National Apartment Association 18

19. Spotting the Signs
• Understand not only where to look, but how to look
• A basic inspection includes:
– Checking behind the headboard
– Pulling off the bedding, starting at the
corners and making your way around the
bed
– Rolling the sheets in toward the center of
the bed
– Checking the mattress seams, mattress
tags, box spring and bed frame

20. Diagnosis of infestation:
Dots of dried blood
Dots of excrement
Odor – fresh raspberries

21. Public Health Issues
Many studies investigated the
ability of bed bugs to vector
human diseases,
– Hepatitis B (1983, 2008)
– HIV (1987, 2000)
• No conclusive evidence that
bed bugs transmit human
disease
• Iron deficiency potential
• Bites
One study found only 30%
reaction. Another study
indicated that 96% of
refugees in Sierra Leone
had local reactions to bed
bug bites

23. Health Issue: Stress
Stress (after an infestation)
– Medical bills from
misdiagnosis
– Destruction of self-image
– Throwing out all
belongings
– Moving
– Legal action
Stress (no infestation)
– Moving, and moving

24. Lawsuits
• NYC >2000 summonses in 2006
– The questions: Did the hotel know they
had an infestation?
– Should they have known?
– Was there a prevention program in place?
– Claims:Damage
– Injury (bites)
– Emotional stress
Leslie Fox: Suing for 21 million

25. Bed Bug Prevention
• Prevention
– Education: media
and internet, training
programs in
hospitality industry
– Monitoring: No
functional device.
Dogs are being used
as detectors.
– Repellents: no Jada (Advanced K-9 Detectives)
functional repellents sniffs for bed bugs in Manhattan

26. Why Conventional Treatments
Fail

27. “Other” Methods
• Use in combination with
chemical methods
– Monitoring with dogs
– Tagging and bagging
with the customer
– Vacuuming
– Steam cleaning
– Mattress covers
– Fumigation
• Non-toxic or “natural”
products
• Heat treatment
• COLD

28. Temp-Air Heat Remediation
System
 We are working
with Virginia Tech
to see if we can
borrow when
needed these
highly effective
machines
The heaters bring
the room
temperature up
above 120 degrees
killing not just Bed
Bugs but roaches
and other insects
as well

29. ClimbUp interceptors

30. Mattress Encasements
Mattress encasements
help protect against bed
bugs
They are available to
purchase through most local
exterminating companies for
around 40 dollars for a
queen size
They are a mesh type
material that does not make
noise like some of the
current covers we are using
They keep bed bugs from
ruining the mattress
Can also be used after a
bed bug incident to trap the
bugs inside where they
eventually die

31. Consistency throughout the State
Park system is paramount
• TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING
– ALL STAFF MUST BE TRAINED
• Proper identification of bed bugs in all stages of life
• Knowledge of inspection procedures for cabins, may very
based on type of cabin for example CCC vs. recently built
cabins.
• Understanding symptoms of bedbug bites which may appear
on guests.
• How to deal with the issue once it is brought to the attention
of park staff. Customer service is the first priority.
• Initial treatment process, including guests personal items

33. Special thanks to
Margaret Davis
with the Virginia Department of
Health who did the research, spoke
to experts in the field, compiled
data and put together this
presentation for training purposes.
(presentation has been slightly modified for Virginia State Parks)

34. Advice on control of…
Thanks to BEDBUGS
David Gaines, Ph.D
VDH
Dini M. Miller Ph. D
VA Tech
William Brogden,
Ph.D
CDC