Bering Strait Bed Bug Resources

Bering Strait Bed Bug Resources

Bed Bug Heat Treatment: Putting furniture and household items outside in the subzero winter

temperatures is not the best way to kill bedbugs, but heat is effective if hot enough. Heat treatments

will need to be done two or more times in coordination with all other methods to totally eradicate

the infestation. /mportant note: Users of heat treat devices need training and devices should not be

left unattended to avoid a fire hazard.

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Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation (NSEDC) sent free tent type bed bug

heat treat machines to all the schools in the region. These can be used to heat furniture and

clothing and other small items. NSEDC is also willing to send heat treat machines used to

heat buildings, and ten Bering Strait villages have received them. Nome, Brevig Mission,

Wales, Shaktoolik and Teller have not requested one. Shishmaref is not eligible as they are

not part of the CDQ.

Bering Sea Regional Housing Authority (BSRHA) has bed bug heat treat machines and staff

who treat homes managed by BSRHA. The machines are available for rent to business &

homeowners in Nome. The | million BTU machine costs from $50-$400 per day plus fuel

per day based on income and the 204 thousand BTU machine costs $20-75 per day plus fuel

based on income. Business & homeowners must operate and monitor machines and assume

all liabilities while in use. If interested in renting call Frank Johnson (907-443-8605).

Heat Treat Machines: For those who want to buy and own a bed bug heat treat machine,

they come in personal or commercial sizes ranging from $200 to $1500, see

https://www.zappbug.com/.

Clothes Dryers: Washing all clothes and linens can be very expensive when the only option

is the village washeteria, costing an average family over $700. If the clothes are clean, then

putting them in the dryer is all that is necessary. Keep in mind that if the dryer is not hot

enough then it may not be effective. Temperatures of 122 degrees kills all bugs and their

eggs immediately.

Bed Bug Detectors and Monitors:

1.

2:

There are bed bug detecting dogs in Alaska that can be contracted to travel all over the state,

see http://www.eaglepestcontrolak.com/meet-rudolph.php. This may not be feasible to small

communities.

Online stores have bed bug detection devices https://www.amazon.com/dp/BOIHSI9S9A

and bed bug monitors https://www.amazon.com/Springstar-First-Response-Monitor-

Count/dp/BOO9CY G9IW/ref=sr_1_27?ie=UTF8&qid=1505237792&sr=8-

27&keywords=bed+bug+monitor ranging from $10-$50.

Other Beg Bug Eradication Strategies:

1.

Vacuuming: drapes, upholstery, and rugs is very important as is removing the waste canister

or lint bag outdoors and disposing of it properly.

2. Sealed Barriers and Traps: Once clothes are cleaned items should be stored in sealed plastic

bags, and Amazon sells zippered mattress and pillow protectors that are effective bedbug

barriers that run in the $30 - $100 range. Traps or interceptors are small plates placed under

the legs or feet of the beds or chairs to keep bugs from climbing upward. These cost about

$15 dollars for a set of four.

3. Sensitive Areas: Amazon sells a non-toxic bed bug killing spray for about $20 for baby and

children bedrooms https://smile.amazon.com/Bed-Bug-Patrol-Environmentally-

Friendly/dp/B0043 WMS5VI/ref=sr_1_6_sspa?s=lawn-

garden&ie=UTF8 &gid=1505252661 &sr=8-6-

spons&keywords=bed+bug+tkiller+fortnursery&psc=1 and another safe alternative called

diatomaceous earth for about $10 https://smile.amazon.com/Safer-5 1 703-Diatomaceous-

Crawling-Insect/dp/BO1D60GAW2/refesr_1_ 2?ie=UTF8&gid=1505252560&sr=8-

2&keywords=diatomaceous+bed+bugs.

Bed Bug Products: Grizzly Building Supply in Nome (907-443-2108), Home Depot in

Anchorage (907-563-9800) and Amazon online all have bedbug killing products and kits

from $12 - $300 for home or commercial use. There are also Integrated Pest Management

approaches available too that includes non-chemical products. Care should be taken if using

chemical insecticides and directions should be followed. Both methods have solutions,

powders and sprays for the following:

e Complete Treatment System-Kills Bed Bugs & Their Eggs

e Use on bed, furniture, carpet, luggage, and garments

e Odorless, Non Staining

Resources from Other Sources:

1.

EPA Grants: Tanana Chief’s Conference (TCC) and Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation

(BBAHC) assist people statewide in addressing bed bugs. The three-year grant ends soon,

but funds education and outreach https://www.tananachiefs.org/environmental-health/. See

the news article at http://kdlg.org/post/bbahc-frontlines-against-bed-bugs-ruralalaska#stream/0. Village IGAP programs might be able to access this funding.

Norton Sound Health Corporation (NSHC) provides these resources:

e Josie A. Bendickson, Manager of Environmental Services, jbendickson@nshcorp.org

907-443-4519 and Kevin Zweifel, Environmental Health, kzweifel(@nshc.org 907-443-

3308.

e EPA Website on Bed Bugs - https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs

e Bed Bug Home & Office Card- https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/print-bed-bug-card-pagecards

e Bed Bug Card for Travel- Print a Bed Bug Card - (Page of Cards) | Bed Bugs: Get Them

Out and Keep Them Out | US EPA

e CDC Bed Bugs FAQs - http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/bedbugs/faqs. html

e Bed Bug Facts - http://www.bed-bugs.com/facts/

e For financial assistance in addressing bed bugs NSCH has a small “Make a Patient

Smile” fund and volunteer staff do periodic special fundraisers to help needy families:

contact Angie Gorn at agorn@nshcorp.org

e NSHC has an attorney, David Panepinto, who supports housing, financial and other

needs of tribal members and provides free legal advice and representation to regional

patients to address health-harming legal needs. Contact dpanepinto@nshcorp.org, 907-

443-3360.

Nome Community Center (NCC) may be able to help with utility costs for elders who have

increased usage to operate dryers and heaters in treating for bed bugs. Contact NCC at 907-

443-5259 or Rhonda Schnieder at rschneider(@nomecc.org with copies of utility bills.

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) has a bed bug expert: Mary Schneider,

mdschneider@anthc.org, 907-729-4006.

Mareh 2013

What Is A Bed Bug????

> Bed bugs are small insects that live in your house

>» Bed bugs eat blood - they feed on people who are sleeping.

Bed bugs are tiny, about the size of a sesame seed.

Bed bugs can be clear, orange, or dark red.

Bed bugs are ‘hitch hikers’ and can easily ride on your backpack or clothing to new

areas.

Bed Bug Bites

> Most people don’t know if they have bed bugs

— People usually don’t wake up when they are

bitten.

- Most people don’t react to bites.

- The bites do not spread diseases.

> For some people the bites may turn red, swell, and

itch. Don’t scratch! Scratching them might give you a

skin infection.

How to Tell If You Have Bed Bugs

> Bed bugs like to hide. They live in cracks, crevices, and small holes, especially in beds and

sofas.

> Usea flashlight and magnifying glass. Look under your sofa cushions, under the sheets on

the mattress, in your box springs, and in cracks and crevices near sleeping areas.

> Look for:

e Live bed bugs

¢ Small red stains from crushed bugs

e Small black dots from bedbug droppings

e Tiny white eggs

Bites on your skin (not all people react to the bites)

What to Do If You Have Bed Bugs

> Clean up: Get rid of clutter where

>

y

a

S

a

DO NOT use ‘bug bombs’ or other pesticides — they will not work,

bed bugs can hide.

> Vacuum: Use a

vacuum in areas where

there are bugs. Seal up the

vacuum bag and take it to

an outside trash can so the bugs don’t come back! Steam cleaners also work

well.

~

> Laundry: Wash all bedding and clothing in hot water and use the dryer

on high heat to kill bugs. Make sure to carry items to the laundry area ina

sealed plastic bag. Don’t use the plastic bag again! Take it to an outside trash

can so the bugs don’t come back!

Mattresses: Vacuum and scrub the mattress to get rid of all the

bugs. Then seal it in a special bedbug-proof cover (you can find

these on-line). Seal up the vacuum bag and take it to an outside

trash can so the bugs don’t come back!

Destroy and dispose: Get rid of furniture and bedding if there are

too many bugs. Make sure to destroy the items first so no one else

decides to use them!

Keep looking! Bed bugs can survive many months without food. Once you have gotten rid of

all the bugs, keep watching to make sure they don’t come back.

Tell your teacher: Your school can help make sure you don’t share your bed bugs with

everyone else!

and the chemicals can be very dangerous.

Sealant/Caulk - seal off cracks and crevices

around baseboards, door frames, etc.

Vacuum - make inspections easier; make sure

to dispose of bag when done; if using bagless

vacuum, use vacuum hose with a nylon placed

over it.

Clothes Dryer - heat from dryer will kill bed

bugs and their eggs

Steamer - use heat to kill bed bugs on furniture

Desiccant dust (ie. Diatomaceous earth or

Cimexa) - will kill bed bugs that come in contact;

READ AND FOLLOW THE LABEL!

Tool for applying desiccant dust - use a

hand duster tool to apply a thin even layer of

desiccant dust

N-95 Mask - for safety purposes, wear an

N-95 mask

applying desiccant dust

Monitoring Device - use to detect the

pre

be

nce of bed bugs and determine if you've

en successful in eliminating bed bugs

ClimbUp™ monitoring device placed under leg

of bed to capture bed bugs

For more information

Be careful where you get information. There is

a great deal of bad information available. Some

good sources include:

e http://dec.alaska.gov/eh/pest/bedbugs.html

ehttp://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pesticide-bedbug

-fact-sheets.shtml

ehttps://www.bedbugs.umn.edu/

ehttp://u.osu.edu/bedbugs/

Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

Community Environment and Health

4500 Diplomacy Drive

Anchorage, AK 99508

(907) 729-4006

mdschneider@anthc.org

ALASKA NATIVE

TRIBAL HEALTH

CONSORTIUM

Identification

Prevention

&

Eradication

Bed Bug (Cimex lectularius)

female note short hairs male

Bed Bug Identification

Bed bugs are small, wingless, flat, ovalshaped insects. Adult bed bugs are brown

and are the size of an apple seed, Bed

bugs go through five developmental life

stages before they become adults,

Between each developmental stage, bed

bugs will shed their skin.

Bed bugs feed exclusively on blood. After

a meal, the bed bugs will leave their host

and go back into hiding to digest their

food. Bed bugs will excrete their meal

and leave behind dark brown or black

fecal spots, also known as bed bug poop.

Some people will react to bed bug bites

while others will not. Your body's

reaction depends on your immune system

and the number of bites. You cannot

confirm the presence of bed bugs by their

bite marks alone,

Prevention and Detection

Bed bugs are known hitch-hikers. In most cases,

people carry beg bugs into their homes unknowingly in

infested luggage, furniture, or clothing. Your best line of

defense is to thoroughly inspect any used furniture

before bringing it into the home and to inspect your

luggage when returning from a trip.

Inspecting for Bed Bugs

Use a bright flashlight

Look for the bugs and their dark spotting and shed

skins

Carefully inspect bedrooms and main living areas

where people rest or sleep, focusing on:

°

°

Mattress seams, box springs, and bed frame

Behind hanging pictures, baseboards, moldings,

and loosened wallpaper

Tops, sides, underside, and interior of

furniture

Underneath carpet edges

Travelers’ Tips

During your trip:

°

Carefully inspect your room for signs of bed bugs

Change rooms if you find any signs of bed bugs

Never store luggage on the floor or bed

Keep your clothes in your suitcase, not in provided

dressers

When arriving home:

Inspect your luggage

Launder all of your clothing. The dryer set on high

heat for 30 minutes will kill all bed bugs and their eggs

Store empty luggage inside sealed plastic bags

What about Chemical Products?

There is no “magic bullet” product that will

eliminate bed bugs on it’s own. Most products

available are not that effective.

Sprays have low residual efficacy

“Bug bombs” move bed bugs out of one

room only to infest another

Bed bugs are highly resistant to a number

of insecticides, and their eggs are

impervious to most insecticide

formulations

Bed bugs don’t make you

sick, but the poisons used

to kill them can!

If you do use chemical

products, be sure to

READ AND

FOLLOW THE LABEL!

Eradication

If you find bed bugs in your home, act

immediately.

Tools for Do It Yourself Eradication

°

Flashlight - use to inspect dark, hard-toreach areas

Garbage Bags - reduce clutter by placing

items in sealed bags

Mattress Encasements - protect your

mattress and box spring and make

inspections easier

Continued

BED BUG FACT SHEET

HOW DO BED BUGS END UP IN ALASKA?

Bed bugs live wherever people do. People often pick up

bed bugs or bed bug eggs while traveling and then carry

them to hotels, homes and environments in their luggage

and clothing. Bed bugs can live up to several months or

even a year without food or water, and can withstand

temperatures below zero for many days.

WHAT ARE BED BUGS?

Bed bugs are small insects that feed on human blood. They

do not transmit diseases, but their

bites can leave itchy red welts

on their victims. Adult bed bugs

appear reddish-brown and have

a flattened, oval shape. They are

wingless and look about the size

of an apple seed. They are big

enough to be seen, but they hide

in cracks in furniture, floors, walls, suitcases or clothing.

Newly hatched nymphs look translucent and become brown

when they molt. When bed bugs feed, their bodies swell and

become brighter red.

WHAT DOES A BED BUG BITE

FEEL AND LOOK LIKE?

Most bed bug bites are initially painless, but they may turn

into large, itchy skin welts. These wounds do not have a

red spot in the center like flea bites. Some people don’t

develop welts at all and can carry bugs without knowing it.

ARE BED BUGS DANGEROUS?

Although bed bugs are a nuisance, they are not known to

spread disease.

HOW DOES A HOME BECOME

INFESTED WITH BED BUGS?

In most cases, people carry bed bugs into their homes

unknowingly in infested luggage, furniture, bedding, or

clothing. Bed bugs may also travel between apartments

through small crevices and cracks in walls and floors.

HOW DOI PROTECT MYSELF AGAINST BED BUGS?

+ Inspect used furniture for bed bugs before bringing it

into your home.

+ Never bring discarded bed frames, mattresses, box

springs, or upholstered furniture into your home.

+ Always wash clothing and bedding immediately after

returning from a trip.

WHEN YOU STAY IN AHOTEL OR

SOME OTHER PLACE OF LODGING,

FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONS:

+ Store your suitcases on luggage racks or in the

bathroom.

+ After check-in, look for bed bugs behind the

headboard and pull back the bed sheets to look for

blood smears or little black spots (bed bug excrement).

+ Check the seams of the mattress and box springs as

well.

+ If you see any evidence of bugs, ask for another room.

HOW DOI KNOW IF MY HOME IS

INFESTED WITH BED BUGS?

You may notice itchy skin welts or see the bed bugs

themselves. You may also notice small bloodstains from

crushed insects, or dark spots from their droppings on linens

or bed spreads. It is often hard to see them because they

hide in or near beds, furniture, and in cracks in the walls.

HOW CAN |GET RID OF BED BUGS?

Non-chemical eradication methods like vacuuming,

steaming, laundering and sealing mattresses in plastic

can help, but these methods usually do not completely

eradicate a bed bug population. Also, bed bugs have

become resistant to some types of insecticides, making

it difficult to get rid of them. For this reason, you will

probably need to consult a licensed pest control company,

which should:

+ Inspect your home to confirm the presence of bed

bugs.

+ Find and eliminate their hiding places.

+ Treat your home with special cleaning and/or

pesticides if necessary.

+ Make return visits to make sure bed bugs are gone.

Continued...

Be sure you see or check the license of the exterminator you

hire. For information, contact the Alaska Pesticide Control

Program at 800-478-2577 or http://dec.alaska.gov/eh/pest/

index.htm.

ARE PESTICIDES SAFE TO USE IN MY HOME?

Talk with a professional exterminator about the safe use of

pesticides and make sure he/she:

+ Uses the least toxic pesticide

+ Follows instructions and warnings on product labels

+ Advises you about staying out of treated rooms and

when it is safe to reenter

Treats mattresses and sofas by applying small amounts

of pesticides on seams only. Pesticides should never be

sprayed on top of mattresses or sofas.

WHAT OTHER OPTIONS DOI HAVE IF I

SUSPECT AN INFESTATION IN MY HOME?

First find the bed bugs. Use a bright flashlight to look for

bugs or their dark droppings in bedroom furniture. You can

use a hot hair dryer to force them out of hiding spaces and

cracks. Also check these areas of your home:

+ Behind your headboard

+ Inthe seams and tufts of your mattress and inside the

box spring

+ Along bedroom baseboard cracks

+ Inand around nightstands

+ In, on, under and behind other bedroom items like

window and door casings, pictures, moldings, nearby

furniture, loose wallpaper, cracks in plaster and

partitions, and other clutter.

Second, clean areas where bed bugs are likely to hide.

+ Wash bedding, linens, curtains, rugs, carpets, and

clothes in hot water and dry them on the highest dryer

setting to kill any remaining bugs. Soak delicate clothes

in warm water with lots of laundry soap for several

hours before rinsing them.

+ Scrub mattress seams with a stiff brush to remove bed

bugs and their eggs.

+ Vacuum mattresses, bed frames, nearby furniture,

floors and carpets. Pay special attention to cracks and

open spaces. Immediately after vacuuming, put the

vacuum cleaner bag ina sealed plastic bag and throw

it away in an outdoor container.

+ Ifyou find bed bugs on a mattress, cover it with a

waterproof, zippered mattress cover labeled “allergen

rated” or “for dust mites.” Keep the cover on for at least

one year.

If your box spring is infested, seal it inside a vinyl

box spring cover for at least one year. If no cover is

available, throw the box spring away.

+ Throw away infested items or clutter that can’t be

cleaned. Make sure the items are sealed tightly in

plastic garbage bags before placing them in an outside

container.

+ Repair cracks in plaster and loose wallpaper.

Finally, be cautious about using pesticides yourself.

Pesticides can be harmful to people and pets. If a licensed

exterminator recommends pesticides, follow these

guidelines:

+ Only use pesticides clearly labeled for bed bug

extermination. Never use a cockroach spray, ant spray,

or any other pesticide that does not list bed bugs on

the label.

+ Follow label instructions exactly.

+ Never spray pesticides on top of mattresses or sofas, or

in areas where children are present.

+ Never purchase or use a product without a

manufacturer's label and never buy pesticides from

street vendors.

+ Avoid “insecticide bombs” and “foggers” in your

home. These products can spread harmful chemicals

throughout your home

HOW CAN | KEEP MY FURNITURE FROM

INFESTING SOMEONE ELSE’S HOME?

Never resell or donate infested furniture. If you throw

infested furniture away, cut or poke holes in its upholstery so

others will not want it, or tape a sign that says, “Infested with

Bed Bugs" on it.

WHERE CAN | GET MORE INFORMATION?

Several online sources focus on various methods of

preventing and getting rid of bed bugs, such as

http://www.bed-bug.org/

http://bedbugger.com

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/vector/bed-bug-guide.pdf

To report an infestation in hotels, motels or other

accommodations in Alaska, contact the Division of

Environmental Health, the Food Safety and Sanitation

Program, at (907) 269-7501.

State of Alaska

Department of Health

and Social Services

Division of Public Health

@

a a oY

SIN

ALASKA DIVISION OF

http://www.hss.state.ak.us/ [Vlas Eli)

June, 2010