They’re back and the authorities are helpless to stop them. Bedbugs were virtually eradicated in developed countries by DDT in the 1950s. They have now developed resistance to pesticides.
Bedbugs Do Not Transmit Diseases
According to environmentalist John Manuel, bedbugs have not been found to transmit diseases such as lyme disease, dengue, West Nile virus, malaria, bird flu, encephalitis, hepatitis B and C or the HIV virus, from infected to healthy hosts. Even though the insects feed by sucking blood from warm blooded animals in a manner similar to mosquitos or fleas, they are not considered vectors or intermediate hosts in the disease transmission. Manuel wrote about bedbugs in the October 2010 Environmental Health Perspectives.
Now You See Them, Now You Don’t
Bedbugs are masters of hiding. Because they feed painlessly, usually while people are sleeping, and bite reactions are delayed, mosquitos or other insects may be blamed. In order to diagnose a rash as caused by bedbugs, the insects must be seen and symptoms of a raised, reddened and itchy rash must be present.
Bedbugs can be found in cracks and crevices in walls, furniture, drawers, clutter, and of course mattresses, couches and chairs. Like cockroaches, it is hard to prevent travel through apartment buildings, homeless shelters, prisons, theatres, hotels, nursing homes, drug rehabs, offices, cruise ships and dormitories. They are difficult to get rid of.
Ineffective Treatments Make Bedbugs Worse
Manuel states that insecticide bombs are ineffective, may cause stomach upset or trigger asthma and allergies. Forgetting to turn off a pilot light resulted in one home explosion, as the fumes ignited. Propoxur, or Baygon, is a commercial pesticide that is still effective against bedbugs, but it is so toxic it is currently banned for residential use. Some authorities are calling for exceptions to the ban. Generally, using insecticides only increases survival of the bedbugs, as they increasingly become resistant.
Scientists Battle Bedbugs With Their Own Attractants
Two synthetic pheromones, E-2 hexenal and E-2 octenal are inexpensive chemicals that get the bedbugs to come out of hiding. Researchers at Ohio State University, led by J.B. Benoit, combined pheromones with desiccant powders such as diatomaceous earth to kill bedbugs. The insects are stimulated to crawl through the dusts, which pulls the moisture out of their bodies, causing them to shrivel up and die. The findings were published in the May 2009 Journal of Medical Entomology.
Home Remedies For Bedbugs Are Based on Common Sense
Visual inspections of furniture and mattresses can reveal adult insects, eggs, their leavings, or tiny translucent nymphs clustered in crevices. The eggs are glued to surfaces and dislodge with difficulty. Adult bedbugs are flat, brown, and can grow to ¼” in length. The insects shed their skins and leave brown or black excrement. Vacuuming and clearing clutter from around beds can help reduce colonies; be sure to seal and discard vacuum cleaner bags immediately. Try moving beds away from walls and protect mattresses with plastic wraps or allergen free covers. Eventually, bugs trapped inside the covers will die, but it could take months. Hot water, steam or a dryer set on high for 20 minutes can kill bedbugs, as can freezing for several days. Dry cleaning kills the insects, but there is a risk of spreading bedbugs to dry cleaning establishments. Professional pest control services can be very helpful but may require several follow-up visits. Specially trained dogs can locate bedbug colonies very quickly.
Bedbug infestations are annoying but do not pose serious health risks to humans. They can occur wherever people or other warm-blooded animals live. Although they are resistant to most insecticides, a watchful eye, clean surroundings and careful handling of contaminated linens can keep these pests in check. Environmentally responsible solutions are forthcoming through research efforts.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
References:
Environmental Health Perspectives, International Environmental Health: Invasion of the Bedbugs, Manuel, John, 118(10), 2010
Journal of Medical Entomology, Addition of alarm pheromone components improves the effectiveness of desiccant dusts against Cimex lectularius, Benoit, J.B., et. al., 46(3), 2009
Mary Earhart - Mary Earhart, RN, BSN, is a Licensed Midwife. She has written articles for professional journals and grants for non-profit agencies as ...
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