Bed Bugs Essay
What is bed bug? Bed bugs also known as Cimex lectularius are tiny, brownish-red colored, flat insects that feed off the blood of humans and animals while they sleep. Bed bugs are voracious eaters and find their prey, humans by seeking out carbon dioxide (CO2) in our breath and heat from our bodies. The adults can be seen by the naked eye, but nymphs; which is the immature bed bugs are seen by microscope and later become visible as they enlarge and gorge themselves on blood Bed bugs bite humans by using a their mouth, which is called a stylet (Animal Planet.com). Bed bugs molt 4 times before they become adults and later mate and repeat their life cycle again, often laying 500 eggs in her lifetime). Bed bug hides in tight dark places during the day such as mattress seams, curtains. The presence of bed
…show more content…
bugs is not a reflection of cleanliness, as they are becoming an epidemic in the United States; affecting homes and hotels (CDC, 2013). Bed bugs are able to live can live up to two years, and as long as five months without a food source Bed bugs can also travel through heating ducts and infect large populations of people in prisons and dorm rooms(CDC,2013) .Although the insect is not known for transmitting disease and is considered more of a nuisance, current research indicates it may be a possible vector of Chagas disease (uphs.upenn.edu, 2014) that caused by Trypanosoma Cruzi.
What are the signs and symptoms of bed bug bites? Bed Bugs bites cause itchiness, redness. They are considered annoying and frustrating, and some individuals may have a pronounced allergic reaction to the bites. Just before bed bugs bite, they inject a chemical into the host which acts as anesthesia, so the host cannot feel the bite. In individuals who are more susceptible to the chemical injected, rashes may become severe, last for several weeks and if scratched may become infected (bedbugs.net, 2011). Anxiety can occur from sleeplessness and the social stigma (CDC, 2013). The greatest concern over bed bugs is the threat to human health through infestations in hospitals, emergency rooms, and homeless
shelters
How are bed bugs treated and prevented? Bed bugs can be eradicated with insecticidal products. Of concern is the overuse of insecticidal bed bug products, which can pose a threat to humans, especially children. With increased exposure comes, increase risk of toxicity to bed bug insecticides. Professional eradication is preferred, however, bed bugs are becoming resistant to pesticides and the eradication can be unaffordable to some households, especially when multiple treatments are needed (CDC, 2013). The best nonchemical and effective means of eliminating bed bugs, is disposal of items that are infested. Clothing and bed can be washed in hot water and dried for at least 30 minutes before being used again or sent to be heated to cleaning equipment which can heat the clothing to 135 F Likewise, vacuum machines and heat applied through steam can also be effective in reducing beg bugs on sofas, carpets and flooring. Usually, a combination of professional and individual measures is needed before bed bugs can be completely eliminated from a household (US EPA,2015). Several hospitals have contracted with companies which have dogs trained to sniff out bedbugs. The dogs have been found to be highly effective in that they can often times sniff out the bugs before the patient has actually been examined (Animal Planet.com).
bugs is not a reflection of cleanliness, as they are becoming an epidemic in the United States; affecting homes and hotels (CDC, 2013). Bed bugs are able to live can live up to two years, and as long as five months without a food source Bed bugs can also travel through heating ducts and infect large populations of people in prisons and dorm rooms(CDC,2013) .Although the insect is not known for transmitting disease and is considered more of a nuisance, current research indicates it may be a possible vector of Chagas disease (uphs.upenn.edu, 2014) that caused by Trypanosoma Cruzi.
What are the signs and symptoms of bed bug bites? Bed Bugs bites cause itchiness, redness. They are considered annoying and frustrating, and some individuals may have a pronounced allergic reaction to the bites. Just before bed bugs bite, they inject a chemical into the host which acts as anesthesia, so the host cannot feel the bite. In individuals who are more susceptible to the chemical injected, rashes may become severe, last for several weeks and if scratched may become infected (bedbugs.net, 2011). Anxiety can occur from sleeplessness and the social stigma (CDC, 2013). The greatest concern over bed bugs is the threat to human health through infestations in hospitals, emergency rooms, and homeless
shelters
How are bed bugs treated and prevented? Bed bugs can be eradicated with insecticidal products. Of concern is the overuse of insecticidal bed bug products, which can pose a threat to humans, especially children. With increased exposure comes, increase risk of toxicity to bed bug insecticides. Professional eradication is preferred, however, bed bugs are becoming resistant to pesticides and the eradication can be unaffordable to some households, especially when multiple treatments are needed (CDC, 2013). The best nonchemical and effective means of eliminating bed bugs, is disposal of items that are infested. Clothing and bed can be washed in hot water and dried for at least 30 minutes before being used again or sent to be heated to cleaning equipment which can heat the clothing to 135 F Likewise, vacuum machines and heat applied through steam can also be effective in reducing beg bugs on sofas, carpets and flooring. Usually, a combination of professional and individual measures is needed before bed bugs can be completely eliminated from a household (US EPA,2015). Several hospitals have contracted with companies which have dogs trained to sniff out bedbugs. The dogs have been found to be highly effective in that they can often times sniff out the bugs before the patient has actually been examined (Animal Planet.com).