Bed Bugs | Health Department | City of Alexandria, VA

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Makinga Come Back

Bed bugs have once again emerged as a nuisance pest problem in the United States. Alexandria has seen increasing infestations,affecting hotel rooms to apartments to residential homes. Because bedbugs arent known to transmit disease, they are not considered a public health threat. However, their re-emergence and the increasing number of inquiries and infestations have prompted the Alexandria Health Department to take a proactive response. This nuisance pest can still cause skin irritation and sleepless nights.

The bed bug (Cimex lectularius) is a wingless, red-brown, blood-sucking insect (as seen in the picture) that grows up toseven mm in length and has a lifespan fromfour months up toone year. Bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices in beds, wooden furniture, floors, and walls during the daytime and emerge at night to feed on their preferred host: humans.

Issues involving bed bug complaints in the City of Alexandria were first noted in 2005. Multi-dwelling complexes like hotels, apartments, and assisted living homes have reported bed bug infestations. Incoming calls to the Vector-borne Illness Prevention Program regarding bed bugs are on the rise.

Public education efforts are ongoing and target specific audience groups, like senior citizens, rental apartment dwellers and managers, and hotel management authorities, to help manage this escalating public health nuisance. In response to the re-emerging bedbug public health issue, a brochure was developed in order to help people understand the recommendations put forth to aid in the control and riddance of bed bugs. The recommendations are important to prevent bugs from being transported to other areas and to aid in proper treatment.

These documents have been distributed to various Cityagencies and businesses. Click on the link below to get copies of these brochures:

Immediately report the problem to your landlord or management company; they may have a plan already in place to deal with the problem. Simply discarding beds and bedding is NOT a sound approach to bed bug management. Bed bugs will spread quickly to walls, molding, ceilings, light fixtures, electronics, picture frames and spaces within and along floor boards, and the edges of carpets. It is difficult to manage a bed bug problem by yourself, so it is always a good idea to hire a licensed Pest Control company. Bed bugs are likely being transferred from place to place through infested furniture and discarded objects. DO NOT take furniture from in or around a trash area even though you may not see bugs they may be present. If you are discarding furniture that may have bed bugs be sure to slash mattresses and plush furniture, break box spring frames, and label items with the word bed bugs to prevent the spread of bed bugs in your community. Wrap discarded items in plastic sheeting and tape to avoid dropping bed bugs during transport.

Controlling bed bugs is a difficult and time consuming activity. However, bed bugs can be eliminated with a coordinated effort that includes cooperation of the residents and landlord or property management. There is no single tool or activity that, used alone, will eliminate bed bugs, including pesticides. Multiple techniques are always required because bed bugs are small, good at hiding, and can live without feeding for up to a year. Treatment of a living area for bed bugs should focus on containment of the infestation. Do everything possible to avoid spreading bed bugs to new locations. A combination of the following steps will be needed for bed bug control:

Clean and organize the bed, bedroom, other living areas, furniture and belongings, including elimination of clutter

Physical removal of bed bugs and eggs using a vacuum (dispose of the vacuum bag immediately, bugs can survive and crawl back out of the bag)

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Bed Bugs | Health Department | City of Alexandria, VA

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