Bed Bugs Seem to Have Returned to Our Area in a Big Way, Not Just in Norwood, but All Over

Dear Parent:

Bed bugs seem to have returned to our area in a big way, not just in Norwood, but all over the Tri-state. Bed bugs get their name because they like to live between mattresses and furniture pads and are active at night.

Bed bugs are usually about ¼ inch in length; young bugs are white but adults are red/brown. Females lay eggs (about 5 per day) and can produce as many as 500 new bugs in their lifetime of 10 months. Bed bugs feed on bare skin for their “blood meal” but can live a long time without a meal. They are active at night and often aren’t seen during the daylight hours. When bed bugs “bite,” a red itchy sore usually appears. Bed bugs are not known to spread disease to humans.

Bed bugs can be transported in suitcases, boxes, clothes and furniture. Check the seams of mattresses and box springs, cracks of bed frames, under chairs, couches and cushions of furniture, under rugs, in the folds of drapes and curtains, in and under drawers of furniture, along baseboards and under wall hangings for places where bed bugs might be living. Always check suitcases when you arrive home from a trip.

What can you do to prevent bed bugs? Check the areas mentioned above. Get rid of clutter; the more stuff that you have, the more places there are for bed bugs to hide. Sweep your home often, paying special attention to furniture, floors, bedding and baseboards. Don’t forget to sweep your car upholstery. Empty the bag every day that you sweep to prevent bed bugs from crawling out of the bag. DO NOT BRING USED FURNITURE INTO YOUR HOME. Often people will toss out furniture because it is infested with bed bugs, only to have someone come along and take the furniture into their home.

If you have bed bugs, sweep as recommended above. Wash and dry all clothing, toys, bedding and furniture coverings at the hottest temperature possible. You will probably have to contact a professional exterminator to safely spray your home and it may take more than one application to eliminate the bed bugs. If you rent, contact your landlord about the problem as soon as you become aware of the problem. If the landlord fails to respond, contact the Norwood Health Department(NHD)at 458-4600. NHD will inspect the property and issue orders if necessary.

The Norwood Health Department also has a special HEPA vacuum that filters tiny particles such as bed bugs into the sweeper bag. You may call the NHD to make arrangements to borrow the HEPA vacuum (458-4600).

Remember, it’s much easier to PREVENT bed bugs than it is to treat for them!

Please call if you have questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Kathy Strasser

Good to Great!