Bed bugs have made a significant comeback in many developed countries, including the United States, after seeming to be eradicated for decades. These unwelcome pests, who have been human companions since ancient times, decreased dramatically in the 1940s and 50s due to synthetic insecticides like DDT and improved hygiene. However, this also led to a decline in public knowledge and awareness about bed bugs. Factors such as increased global travel, insecticide resistance in bed bugs, the reuse of second-hand furniture, and cluttered homes have created ideal conditions for their resurgence. Once bed bugs infest a home, they are notoriously difficult and costly to get rid of. Therefore, preventing them from entering your home in the first place is more crucial than ever.
What Exactly Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are insects belonging to the family Cimicidae. While several species exist, two are primarily associated with humans: Cimex lectularius, found worldwide, and Cimex hemipterus, more common in tropical climates. These pests are small, ranging from 1 to 7 mm in size, and have a brownish-red, flattened, wingless body. Adult bed bugs are about the size of a grain of rice. They possess six legs and two long antennae, each with four segments. As their name suggests, bed bugs are typically found in areas where people and animals sleep. They are nocturnal, with peak activity between midnight and 6 am, when they feed on sleeping hosts. Female bed bugs lay eggs in cracks and crevices, such as headboards, box springs, bed frames, mattress seams, furniture joints, and baseboard cracks – places where they routinely hide when not feeding. These eggs hatch into nymphs, which are smaller versions of the adults. Bed bugs go through five nymph stages before maturing into adults. Adults then mate and continue to lay eggs. All bed bug stages, except eggs, feed on blood, usually every 8-10 days, but they can survive for months without a blood meal.
Why Are Bed Bugs a Problem?
Bed bugs are obligate blood feeders, meaning they must consume blood to survive. They will feed on humans, as well as domestic animals like cats and dogs. While it’s reassuring to know that bed bugs are not known to transmit any diseases, their bites can still cause a range of issues. These include anemia, particularly in children, intense itching (pruritus), allergic reactions, general discomfort, sleeplessness, and psychological stress. Controlling and eliminating bed bug infestations can be extremely challenging and expensive, especially in multi-family dwellings like apartment buildings, leading to significant financial burdens. Furthermore, bed bug management often involves the use of insecticides, increasing the potential exposure of humans and pets to pesticides. If pesticides are necessary, it’s vital to use them strictly according to label directions to minimize health risks associated with these potentially toxic substances.
How Do Bed Bugs Invade Homes, and What About Pets?
Bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers and adept at hiding. Their small size allows them to easily conceal themselves and be carried into homes through “passive transport.” This means they hitch a ride in furniture seams, mattress folds, luggage seams, folded clothing, bedding, and similar items.
Suitcase in hotel room, suggesting how bed bugs are transported while traveling.
In multi-unit buildings like apartments, hotels, and shelters, bed bugs can also actively move between rooms. They are highly mobile and can literally walk from one room to another through cracks in walls, along pipes, or through electrical outlets. Bed bugs are primarily associated with humans and our belongings. While they can occasionally be found on cats and dogs, this is not typical. It’s important to emphasize that pets are not primary carriers of bed bugs and are unlikely to introduce an infestation into a home. Bed bugs typically crawl onto a host to feed and then retreat to hiding places. Any bed bugs that might briefly crawl onto a pet to feed are unlikely to stay on the animal. They prefer to hide in dark, secluded spots near a food source, which are not typically on a moving animal. Therefore, it is far more probable to bring bed bugs home in your luggage after traveling than on your cat or dog.
Will Bed Bugs Bite My Cats and Dogs?
Yes, bed bugs are known to bite and feed on cats and dogs, in addition to humans, when they infest a home. Pets can be bitten anywhere on their bodies, but areas with less fur, such as the belly, ears, and face, might be more vulnerable. Bed bug bites on pets can cause similar reactions to those in humans, including itchy skin, red bumps, and irritation. Excessive scratching, licking, or biting at the skin might be signs that your pet is being bitten by bed bugs or other pests.
How to Tell If You Have a Bed Bug Infestation: Signs Beyond Bites
Discovering you have a bed bug infestation can be unsettling. While some people might see bed bugs crawling on themselves or their pets in rare instances, this is not the most common sign. Often, the first indication is the appearance of small insect bites on your body. However, these bites can resemble those of mosquitoes or fleas, making it crucial to look for other evidence.
- Bed bug exoskeletons (molts): Like all insects, bed bugs shed their skin as they grow. Finding these shed exoskeletons, which are light brown and translucent, is a strong indicator of an infestation.
- Live bed bugs: Carefully inspect mattress seams, folds, and tags, as well as bed frames and headboards. Bed bugs are visible to the naked eye and can be seen in these hiding spots.
- Rusty or dark spots: Bed bug feces are often deposited as small, dark, rusty-colored spots on bedding, mattresses, or nearby furniture. These spots are digested blood and a telltale sign of their presence.
- Sweet, musty odor: A heavy bed bug infestation can produce a distinct sweet, musty odor. While not always obvious, this smell can be noticeable in heavily infested areas.
- Commercial traps and monitors: Various commercial bed bug traps and monitors are available that can help detect infestations.
- Bed bug detection dogs: Specially trained dogs can sniff out bed bugs with a high degree of accuracy, even in hidden locations.
What to Do If You Suspect Bed Bugs in Your Home
If you suspect a bed bug infestation, the first step is to confirm it. If possible, collect a sample of the suspected bed bug and consult with a pest control professional for identification. Contacting your landlord or a pest control company experienced in bed bug control is crucial for effective management.
Eradicating bed bugs is typically a process that requires time, patience, and a multi-faceted approach. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have jointly issued guidance on bed bug control, recommending a combination of non-chemical and chemical methods.
Non-chemical methods include:
- Frequent vacuuming: Vacuuming mattresses, carpets, furniture, and crevices can physically remove bed bugs and eggs.
- Laundering and heat treatment: Wash bedding, linens, and clothing in hot water and dry them on high heat. High heat is effective in killing bed bugs and their eggs.
- Reducing clutter: Clutter provides more hiding places for bed bugs, so reducing clutter can make treatment more effective.
- Sealing cracks and crevices: Sealing cracks in walls, baseboards, and furniture can eliminate bed bug harborages and prevent them from moving between rooms.
- Diatomaceous earth: Applying diatomaceous earth (specifically labeled for insect control) in cracks and crevices can help desiccate and kill bed bugs.
In more severe infestations, professional pest control services and the use of approved pesticides may be necessary. Always ensure that any pesticide used is EPA-registered and explicitly labeled for bed bug control. Products without an EPA registration number have not been evaluated for safety and effectiveness.
Will Pet Flea and Tick Products Repel Bed Bugs?
No, pet anti-tick and anti-flea products are designed specifically for ticks and fleas and are not effective against bed bugs. These products contain insecticides targeted at fleas and ticks and are not formulated to repel or kill bed bugs. Using these products on pets will not prevent or treat a bed bug infestation.
How Can I Protect My Pets and Home from Bed Bugs?
Since pets are unlikely to carry bed bugs into the home, protecting your pets from bed bugs primarily involves preventing and managing infestations in your living environment. Vigilance and hygiene are key to preventing bed bugs from establishing themselves in your home.
When traveling, whether with or without your pet, take preventative measures:
- Inspect hotel rooms: Before unpacking, check the bed area, particularly the headboard and box spring, for bed bugs or signs of infestation.
- Elevate luggage: Keep luggage, pet carriers, and pet bedding off the floor and away from beds and walls. Utilize luggage racks if available, or store items in bathrooms or areas away from sleeping and lounging spaces.
- Inspect luggage upon return: Before bringing luggage back into your home, carefully inspect all items for any signs of bed bugs.
- Launder travel items: Wash all clothing and pet bedding immediately in hot water and dry on high heat after returning from a trip.
For pets:
- Bathe and groom pets: Consider bathing and grooming your pet after traveling, which may help remove any potential hitchhiking bed bugs.
- Inspect pets visually: Briefly check your pet for any signs of bed bugs after travel, although they are unlikely to be carrying them.
For luggage and carriers:
- Isolate luggage: Upon returning home, consider leaving luggage, pet carriers, and bedding in a garage or car for a few days, if weather permits and temperatures can reach extremes (very hot or very cold). Extreme temperatures can kill bed bugs.
- Vacuum luggage: Vacuum suitcases and pet carriers thoroughly, paying attention to seams and crevices. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately after use.
By practicing these preventative measures and acting promptly if you suspect an infestation, you can protect both yourself and your pets from the nuisance of bed bugs. Remember, early detection and comprehensive treatment are crucial for successful bed bug control.
By Araceli Lucio-Forster, PhD. Teaching Support Specialist, Department of Microbiology and Immunology College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University
