Parish Nurse Notes: Bedbugs

There has been a lot of controversy lately over the rise of incidents of bedbugs.

This has caused a significant amount of anxiety, especially among those who stay in hotels. If you are going to travel, there is a website called the Bedbug Registry. At this site you can check hotels and apartments across the U.S. to see if any complaints have been made about bedbugs.

As with most issues, one way to decrease anxiety is to learn more about it. Once you have information about what concerns you it becomes easier to deal with the issue, and decreases anxiety.

Here is a small overview of bedbug knowledge: Bedbugs 101

* Bedbugs are small, oval, brownish insects that feed on the blood of animals, and humans. Fully mature bedbugs have flat bodies about the side of an apple seed. After a feeding of blood they turn a rather reddish color.

* Bedbugs do not have the ability to fly. They are speedy little critters that can move quickly over floors, walls, and ceilings. Females lay hundreds of eggs over the course of their life. Baby bedbugs, called nymphs, are about the size of a speck of dust. Nymphs can develop fully in as little as a month and can produce three or more generations in a year.

* Bedbugs are sneaky little critters that enter the home through luggage, clothing, used beds and couches, and other items. In the summer time it is common to buy used furniture such as at garage sales. That couch or bed may be a great deal, but proceed with caution. My own recommendation is not to buy bedding from someone you don’t know. You don’t want to risk the possibility of bringing an unwanted bonus home to your house.

* Bedbugs do not live in nests but tend to stay hiding in groups. Over time they can spread through the bedroom to any place that is protected such as a crevice in a wall. They will spread through a home or apartment given time. They mainly like the mattress or other parts of the bed where there is access for biting in the night.

Most bedbug bites are painless at first, but later they turn into itchy welts. Fleas usually like to bite around the ankles but bedbugs will bite anywhere they can find a spot. Many times people think that bedbug bites are actually mosquito bites. In order to be certain of what is happening you must search and find the bugs visually.

If you notice that you are waking up with bites that you did not have at bedtime you likely have bedbugs especially if it is around the time you got a used bed or other piece of furniture. Some signs of infestation include: bloodstains on the sheets and pillowcases, dark rusty spots on the sheets or walls which are an indication of bedbug excrement, signs of fecal material, egg shells, or shed skin in areas where bedbugs like to hide. There can also be a musty odor present from the bugs scent glands.

If you are concerned that you may have a bed bug infestation the first thing to remember is to stay calm. If you have young children you do not want to get upset and panic, as this may cause sleeping problems such as nightmares.

Remember: be VERY cautious about bringing used furniture into your home, especially from a garage sale or second hand store. If you decide you are going to buy a used piece of furniture please be sure to inspect it thoroughly for any sign of bugs, eggs, shed skin, etc.

Next week I will give an overview on what to do if you do find that you have the critters in your home. I pray for all the Lord’s best for the people of Anchor. If you have any questions or comments about what I have written, please feel free to contact me.

Scott G. Eddy, RN BSN