Administrative BriefVolume 33, No. 01
December 30, 2010
ADMINISTRATIVE BRIEF FROM YVONNE GIBBONS
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
DON’T LET THE BEDBUGS BITE!
How many times did you hear this li ttle ditty at bedtime when you were a
kid? Did you think they were im aginary creatures? Turns out that
bedbugs are real, and making a comeback worldwide!
Bed bugs are small, brownish, flattened, oval insects that feed on the blood of people
while they sleep. Immature bedbugs (nymphs) are tiny and appear translucent and pale
in color. They “shed their skin” as they grow. Adult bedbugs are about 1/8 inch long,
and appear reddish-brown in color after a meal. Females lay about five eggs per day,
and hundreds during a lifetime. Small, black stains are created by fecal droppings.
Nymphs and adults take about fi ve to ten minutes to obtain a full blood meal, usually
when a person is sleeping. The adults may take severa l blood meals over several
weeks, assuming a warm-blooded host is available. Adults live six to 12 months and
may survive for 12-15 months without feeding.
Although the bite does not hurt at the time, it may develop into an itchy welt similar to a
mosquito bite. Bed bugs do not transmit di sease, but they can cause significant
itchiness, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Bed bug bites are usually self-limiting, and
require little attention other than antiseptic creams or lotions to prevent infection at the
bite site.
Unlike head lice, they do not live on a pe rson. They hide in cracks and crevices,
typically in and around beds and sofas. However, they can “hitchhike” from one place
to another in backpacks, clothing, luggage, books, used furniture, mattresses, and other
items. Often, the exact course of infestation is unknown. Infestation has nothing to do
with the cleanliness of the hom e. Professional pest control is recommended as over-
the-counter pesticides are usually ineffective.
Here are some quick tips to make sure you don’t bring bedbugs into your home:
When staying at a hotel, hang clothing in the closet that is farthest from your bed. Place
luggage on the folding rack, far from the bed. If you do see a bedbug (or signs of one),
inform a manager immediately. You may request another room but remember that
bedbugs could easily be in other parts of the hotel as well.It may be best to leave and
find another hotel if there is any sign at all of bedbugs. Call the Kansas Department of
Agriculture at (785) 296-7430 or (785) 296-5600 to report bedbugs in hotels.
Commission Information Memorandum
Page 2
When you’re ready to leave, double check your luggage as well as individual items
within your suitcase. Place clothing into a sealed plastic bag. Place the clothes in a hot
dryer for 30 minutes when you get home. This may seem cumbersome, but preventing
a bedbug infestation is a LOT easier than dealing with one!
Use caution when purchasing used furniture, especially upholstered furniture. NEVER
pick up discarded mattresses or couches from the curbside. They are usually there for
a reason! If you do find bedbugs in your home, contact a reputable exterminator.
More information on bedbugs can be found at www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/HTML/Bedbugs.htm
MONDAY’S MEETING
Enclosed are other items on the agenda. If any Commissioner has questions or cannot
attend the meeting, please contact me.
Jason A. Gage,
City Manager