Last week I gave a presentation to pest management professionals about bed bugs. After class, one of my students sent me the picture below. This is one of the worst bed bug infestations that I have seen. The picture shows bed bugs gathering on a ceiling. The streaks across the ceiling are from a broom being raked across, smashing the bed bugs leaving a trail of blood behind. Yikes!
There are many ways that you can prevent picking up these little hitchhikers. Right now they are spreading like wildfire by people picking up infested furniture items and bringing them into there home. Bed bugs are also commonly spread by hitchhiking in luggage brought back from a stay in an infested hotel room. To help prevent bed bugs, I follow 5 steps.
1. In a hotel, always store luggage on luggage rack
2. Inspect the hotel mattress seams and around the tag area for bed bugs and dark spots
3. Inspect luggage, wash and dry clothing as soon as you return home
4. Never pick up used furniture from the curb etc.
5. Inspect furniture items bought from thrift stores
I am an avid thrift store shopper and traveler. I have religiously followed these steps and have not had an infestation yet. Wishing yall the same luck!
Till next time.....
Jackie Lee
Extension Entomologist/Pesticide Coordinator
Oklahoma State University
Check out my website and follow me on twitter.
http://pested.okstate.edu/html/bedbug.html
https://twitter.com/OkstatePSEP
Check out my website and follow me on twitter.
http://pested.okstate.edu/html/bedbug.html
https://twitter.com/OkstatePSEP
