Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small, flat insects that feed on human and animal blood. They are reddish-brown in color, wingless, smaller than an apple seed, and can live for several months without a meal. Bedbugs are found all over the world, and although they are known to travel more than 100 feet at night, they usually will stay within eight feet of where people sleep.

Please note: The Healthy Homes Coalition does not provide bed bug services. For more detailed information on bed bugs please refer to nyc.gov/bedbugs

The Source

The primary way bedbugs are spread from place to place is by hitchhiking on belongings. While they are known to hitchhike long distance on the luggage of travelers who have stayed in infested hotels, it is also common that they spread by bringing used furniture into the home, especially mattresses, couches, upholstered chairs, and other places where people sleep.

Being small, they can also move between apartments within the same building in search of food.

Who is at Risk?

All people are at equal risk from bedbugs. The concern is that they have an annoying bite and can interrupt people's sleep. Some people are particularly sensitive to bug bites and can develop a rash.

Symptoms

Signs of a bedbug infestation are found by where people sleep. They include finding living or dead insects or the skin they shed, or rust-colored stains on mattress seams, sheets, pillowcases, or upholstered furniture. People who have been bitten by bedbugs often have small red marks where bitten.

Health Impacts

Bedbugs are not known to spread disease. Some people will react to the bites with welts or swelling. There is the risk of localized infection from scratching the bites. The biggest problem comes from the loss of sleep due to the irritating bites. The anxiety and stress of having bedbugs in the home can cause a loss of sleep, even leading to mental health concerns.

A secondary concern is exposure to pesticides.  While bedbugs are very annoying, people are cautioned not to spray mattresses, furniture, and other areas with pesticides in an attempt to rid the home of bedbugs.  The exposure to pesticides, especially when used incorrectly, can be far worse than bug bites.

Solutions

Prevention is the best strategy against bed bugs. They are hitchhikers and spread by getting into clothing, furniture, suitcases, backpacks and purses. To avoid them spreading to your home, make sure to check those items for bugs before bringing them into your home, especially if you think you have been someplace that is infested.

Secondhand mattresses, furniture, and clothing should all be inspected, and clothing should be received in a plastic bag and immediately washed in very hot water.

If you have confirmed bed bugs in your home, clothing can be laundered to get rid of bed bugs. It is recommended that infested furniture not be moved, as this will only move the bedbugs around the home and spread the infestation. Putting an infested mattress or piece of furniture on the curb potentially shares the infestation with others and the home will still need to be treated to get rid of the bedbugs that have crawled off and are hiding elsewhere.  It is more effective to leave the furniture in place and to hire a professional to treat the home and furnishings.  This will also save on the cost of replacing the furniture.

Please note: The Healthy Homes Coalition does not provide bed bug services. For more detailed information on bed bugs please refer to nyc.gov/bedbugs

Photo credit: AFPMB

Healthy Homes Coalition is looking for dedicated and compassionate individuals to help serve our community!

Healthy Housing Specialist - Starting at $17.50/hour

Intake Specialist - Starting at $17.50/hour

If you're interested, please send your resume and cover letter to:
hana@healthyhomescoalition.org