posted
on Thursday, January 11, 2024
It's the topic no one wants to talk about yet recent studies show one out of five Americans have had a bed bug infestation in their home or knows someone who has encountered bed bugs.*
Due to their infamously rising popularity across the world, we would like to share with you a few facts surrounding the topics of common misconceptions, what proactive steps we take, and how early detection is key to preventing an infestation.
First, let's talk about the common misconceptions.
There are several misconceptions about bed bugs which can lead to confusion and ineffective treatment methods. Here are a few of the following common myths:
- Bed bugs are too small to see - adult bed bugs, nymphs and eggs can be seen with the naked eye
- Bed bugs only live in dirty places - they can be found in both sanitary and unsanitary environments, clutter tends to only provide them with hiding spots
- Bed bugs exclusively live in mattresses - they can be found anywhere from chairs, railings, ceilings to luggage
- Bed bugs only travel by hitchhiking on clothes or fabric - unfortunately, they can also travel on hard surfaced items
So, what are bed bugs and where can you find them?
Bed bugs are small, brown, oval-shaped insects that can be found in various environments. They are about the size of an apple seed and have an oval-shaped, flat body.
Bed bugs do not discriminate based on household income or location. You can find them in a variety of places including apartments, shelters, hotels, rooming houses, dorm rooms, single-family homes, theaters, schools, churches, offices and retail stores.*
Rest assured, EPI is taking the following proactive measures.
While a bed bug may be easy to pick up, we take the following proactive measures to keep persons served and staff safe from an infestation.
- Inspect used furniture - we require inspections of used or donated beds and couches for any signs of bed bug infestation before bringing them home
- Purchase and provide protective covers - we use a protective cover that encases mattresses and box springs to eliminate many hiding spots and make bed bugs easier to see
- Reduce clutter - minimizing clutter in homes significantly reduces hiding places for bed bugs
- Vacuum frequently - regular vacuuming can help remove any successful hitchhikers
If a bed bug is suspected, here's what we do next.
We have EPI staff certified to use EPA registered verifiers to assist in identifying and successfully heat-treating these pests.
When visiting a person we support, please consider taking the above precautions to keep everyone safe from these unwanted travelers.
* https://www.pestworld.org/all-things-bed-bugs/bed-bug-facts-statistics/