INSPECTIONS FOR BED BUGS

WAYNE WALKER, ACEUNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSINGAND RESIDENCE EDUCATION

How to Leave the Bed Bugs BehindA packing checklist for residents temporarily leaving their dwelling to be treated.

• Take as few items as possible when leaving the residence for treatment– Bed bugs hitchhike in suitcases, back packs, boxes, clothing, bedding and pet cages– Bed bugs have been found infesting small electronic devices, such as alarm clocks, cell phones

• Kill bed bugs in fabric items using high heat in a dryer (140°F) for about 15 minutes

– This includes clothing, blankets, pillows, stuffed toys and pet bedding.

• Do not use boxes, suitcases, back packs, gym bags, etc. from the infested residence to pack belongings

– Pack belongings needed during the treatment in plastic containers, such as sweater boxes or new luggage not previously stored in the infested residence

• Do not place washed or packed items on infested furniture (beds, sofas, dressers, tables, etc.) or flooring (carpets or rugs)

– Immediately remove packed items from the infested residence – Or place them on a clean, hard surface (kitchen or bathroom floor, in a bath tub or shower) until they can be

removed from the residence.

• Pet cages and pet bedding should be treated– Pet cages with any small gaps or hollow spaces that could harbor bed bugs should be left in the residence – Food in the cages should be removed prior to the treatment – Pets should be transferred to new travel cages or housing known not to be infested with bed bugs – Pet bedding/blankets should not be removed from the residence before the treatment unless they can be dried

and packed as described above

TWO TYPES OF INSPECTIONS

• INITIAL INSPECTION– BEFORE

PRICINGCONTRACTTREATMENT

• POST TREATMENT INSPECTION

INITIAL INSPECTION

– SEARCHING FOR ANY INDICATION OF INFESTATION

• LIVE INSECTS• CAST SKINS• BLOOD SPOTS

POST TREATMENTINSPECTION

• MORE DIFFICULT INSPECTION

– MUST LOOK FOR LIVE INSECTS AND EGGS

– MUST SEARCH FURTHER AWAY FROM BED

WHERE TO LOOK

Primary Bed Bug Harborag

e~70%

5 feet

Secondary Bed Bug

Harborages~23%

“Other” Bed Bug

Harborages~7%

How to Do a Bed Bug Inspection

INSPECTION CHALLENGES

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE

ESTIMATES OF TIME REQUIRED

HOW ACCURATE IS THE INSPECTION

ESTIMATE THE PERCENTAGE OF ACCURACY

BUG DETECTING DOGS

• COULD BE THE FUTURE OF INSPECTIONS

• MUCH QUICKER

• SIGNIFICANTLY MORE ACCURATE

BED BUG DOGS ADVANTAGES

• PROVEN TO BE 96% ACCURATE

• CAN INSPECT A ROOM IN A MATTER OF MINUTES

• ARE A MARKETING MAGNET

BED BUG DOGS LIMITATIONS

• CAN NOT SEARCH UP HIGH

• WORK BEST WHEN PAIRED WITH SAME HANDLER

• NEED REINFORCEMENT TRAINING ALMOST DAILY

SUMMARY

• INSPECTIONS ARE AS CHALLENGING AS TREATMENTS

• PROPER INSPECTIONS REQUIRE TIME

• INSPECTIONS CAN BE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING

• BED BUG DOGS ARE AN ALTERNATIVE