Health center holding bed bug seminar

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PARK HILLS Anyone whose ever laughed when warned ... dont let the bed bugs bite, might be surprised to learn the little critters are for real and becoming an ever-growing problem in the United States.

To provide the community important information about the problem, a seminar on the biology and control of bed bugs is being sponsored this Friday by the St. Francois County Health Center. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the North College Center on the Mineral Area College campus in Park Hills. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

We have three guest speakers who will be providing valuable insight into the identification and control of bed bugs and other pests, said Jon Peacock of the SFCHC. The seminar is free, but we ask that any interested persons contact this office at 431-1947, ext. 121, to reserve seating prior to Friday.

Speakers appearing at the event are Jim Dotson, Bayer Environmental Science; Heath Kern, director of sales for Rottler Pest & Lawn Solutions in St. Louis; and Anastasia Becker, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program, Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Seminar topics will include: Bed Bugs: An Epidemic Pest Problem, Heat Is It The Answer? and Integrated Pest Management Strategies to Control Bed Bugs and Other Pests.

Bed bugs are parasitic insects of the cimicid family that feed exclusively on blood. Their name is derived from the preferred habitat of Cimex lectularius warm houses, especially nearby or inside of beds and bedding or other sleep areas. Bed bugs are mainly active at night, but are not exclusively nocturnal. They usually feed on their hosts without being noticed.

A number of adverse health effects may result from bed bug bites including skin rashes, psychological effects and allergic symptoms. Diagnosis involves both finding bed bugs and the occurrence of compatible symptoms.

Bed bugs have been known as human parasites for thousands of years. In the early 1940s they were mostly eradicated in the developed world, but have increased in prevalence since 1995. Because infestation of human housing has been on the increase, bed bug bites and related conditions have been on the rise as well.

Kevin Jenkins is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3614 or kjenkins@dailyjournalonline.com

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Health center holding bed bug seminar

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