The Facts about BED BUGS

Transcription

1 BED BUG BITES The Facts about BED BUGS What do bed bug bites feel and look like? Some people have no reaction at all. But for some people they can turn into red and itchy sores or welts. Often bed bug bites appear as a group of three, which people sometimes call breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most bites heal in a few days and don t need treatment. In some people the welts may last for several weeks. How do I treat bed bug bites? Keep the skin clean and try not to scratch. Usually an anti-itch cream will help. If bites become infected, see a doctor. KENORA Phone (807) or DRYDEN Phone (807) or FORT FRANCES Phone (807) or What are bed bugs? b Bed bugs are small insects (about the size of an apple seed) with ovalshaped bodies and no wings. They are a nuisance but are not known to spread disease in humans. It is easy to spot them. What do bed bugs b feed on? They feed on the blood of animals or birds, but they prefer people. They usually come out and bite at night and do not move far from their food source hiding in mattresses, pillows, behind baseboards, in cracks in the floor, or behind wallpaper and curtains. Bed bugs are everywhere in the world. Bed bugs can be found all over the world in buildings and homes. They travel from place to place on clothing and personal belongings such as luggage, knapsacks, computer bags and purses. body wants them but anybody can get them. body wants bed bugs but anybody can get them. There is no reason to feel ashamed if you get them. The important thing to know is BED BUGS WILL NOT GO AWAY ON THEIR OWN. The sooner you take steps to get rid of them, the sooner you will be BED BUG FREE

2 HOW TO FIND BED BUGS Keep BED BUGS Out!

3 CHECKLIST for BED BUG INSPECTIONS CHECKLIST for BED BUG INSPECTIONS

4 Bed Bugs: Where Are They Hiding? Source: Ministry of Health and Long Term Care

5 PEST CONTROL TREATMENTS You must prepare your home or apartment before the pest control company arrives. Ask your landlord for a Checklist to help you prepare. How do I find a pest control company? If you rent, discuss the problem with your landlord first. Getting rid of bed bugs requires pesticides and other treatments that should only be used by professionals. There are many licensed pest control companies in Ontario who can manage a bed bug infestation. To find a licensed company near you, visit or or check the yellow pages in the phone book. KENORA Phone (807) or DRYDEN Phone (807) or FORT FRANCES Phone (807) or All occupants cupants and pets must leave before treatment starts. They re called bed bugs, but they don t just live in your bed. They can live in almost any dark crack or hiding place in your home. What can I do if I have bed bugs? Get advice from your landlord, building manager, public health inspector or a pest control professional. You should also: Vacuum your mattress, bed frame, baseboards and anything else around your bed every day. Wash your clothing, bed sheets, blankets, mattress pads and pillows in hot water and dry on high heat for 30 minutes. Remove unnecessary clutter. Seal cracks in bed frames, floors, walls and between baseboards. Repair or remove peeling wallpaper. Tighten loose light switch covers. Seal openings where pipes, wires or other utilities come into your home. Carefully bag, label and dispose of infested items that can t be cleaned. What to do if you have BED BUGS

6 PEST CONTROL TREATMENTS You must prepare your home or apartment before the pest control company arrives. Ask your landlord for a Checklist to help you prepare. How do I find a pest control company? If you rent, discuss the problem with your landlord first. Getting rid of bed bugs requires pesticides and other treatments that should only be used by professionals. There are many licensed pest control companies in Ontario who can manage a bed bug infestation. To find a licensed company near you, visit or or check the yellow pages in the phone book. KENORA Phone (807) or DRYDEN Phone (807) or FORT FRANCES Phone (807) or All occupants and pets must leave before treatment starts. They re called bed bugs, but they don t just live in your bed. They can live in almost any dark crack or hiding place in your home. What can I do if I have bed bugs? Get advice from your landlord, building manager, public health inspector or a pest control professional. You should also: Vacuum your mattress, bed frame, baseboards and anything else around your bed every day. Wash your clothing, bed sheets, blankets, mattress pads and pillows in hot water and dry on high heat for 30 minutes. Remove unnecessary clutter. Seal cracks in bed frames, floors, walls and between baseboards. Repair or remove peeling wallpaper. Tighten loose light switch covers. Seal openings where pipes, wires or other utilities come into your home. Carefully bag, label and dispose of infested items that can t be cleaned. What to do if you have BED BUGS

7 AVOID BED BUG HITCHHIKERS Bed bugs are good hitch hikers. They can climb into or on bags, clothing and other belongings. BED BUG Travel Tips How to Have a Bed Bug Free Stay Try to avoid booking a hotel without first asking if it has a bed bug problem. Pack clothes in sealable plastic bags and leave them inside luggage, or hanging in the closet. Never put luggage on the bed, cloth-covered chairs and sofas, or the floor. Sit on wood or metal chairs when possible. Leave luggage outside or in the bathroom when you perform you mini-inspection. KENORA Phone (807) or DRYDEN Phone (807) or FORT FRANCES Phone (807) or When You Leave Inspect your luggage carefully before packing. Then inspect every item as you pack for bed bugs and their signs. If you find bed bugs, have bites or know you ve spent time in a room that is infested, vacuum your suitcases, backpack and camera bag. Then wash everything in hot water and dry on the highest heat setting for 30 minutes. When You Get Home Unpack luggage outdoors and re-inspect clothing. Put everything in the dryer on the highest heat setting for 30 minutes. Vacuum luggage thoroughly. Travellers to anywhere in Canada or the world can be exposed to bed bugs. Carrying bed bugs back home with you could lead to a bed bug infestation, even in the cleanest home. Inspect your hotel room before you move in. Learn to identify bed bugs (see photo). Also look for signs of bed bugs (blood stains and bed bug droppings). Perform a mini-inspection around the bed. Peel back the sheets and check the mattress. Run your fingers along the seams. Check the mattress tag. Check the bedside table. Look in the drawers and along the wall and baseboards near the bed. If bed bugs are found, request another room and tell the hotel management why. Repeat the inspection in the new room you are offered

8 CHECKLIST for YOU and YOUR LANDLORD How to Prepare Your Home or Apartment for a Bed Bug Treatment means t Applicable to your home or apartment. CLOTHING AND LAUNDRY tes: Tell where you found evidence of bed bugs. by the Tenant by the Landlord 1. All clothing removed from dressers and closets and placed in clean plastic bags - then bags sealed tightly. 2. Clothing emptied directly into washing machine. 3. Used bags thrown away outside the house 4. Clothes washed using hot water. 5. Clothes dried on high heat for at least 30 minutes. 6. Clothes that can t be washed have been dry cleaned. ALL BEDS tes: by the Tenant by the Landlord 1. Sheets, pillowcases, mattress pads and blankets removed and placed in clean plastic bags. Bags have been sealed tightly. 2. Bedding has been emptied directly into washing machine. 3. Used bags thrown outside the house. 4. Bedding washed with hot water. 5. Bedding dried on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Then sealed in bags. 6. Pillows dried in the dryer on high heat for at least 60 minutes. Then sealed in bags. 7. Bedding that can t be washed has been dry cleaned. 8. Clean bed skirts packed in sealed, plastic bags and put away as bedding should be tucked in tightly. Page 1 of 3

9 Checklist for You and Your Landlord FURNITURE tes: by the Tenant by the Landlord 1. All articles that cannot be laundered (including books) removed and placed in sealed plastic bags. 2. All shelves and drawers emptied. 3. All furniture moved at least 30 cm (12 inches) away from walls. 4. All sealed bags left in the room to be treated. 5. All chair covers, throws and pillows have been laundered or dry-cleaned prior to treatment. DISPOSAL OF BEDS AND FURNITURE tes: by the Tenant by the Landlord 1. Infested furniture to be discarded has been damaged or defaced so it can t be used again. 2. Infested mattresses have been slashed. 3. All furniture and mattresses have been wrapped in plastic IN the unit so the bed bugs can t escape. BABY CRIBS AND CHILDREN S TOYS tes: by the Tenant by the Landlord 1. Bedding washed with hot water. 2. Bedding dried on high heat for at least 30 minutes. Then sealed in bags. 3. All toys washed in soapy hot water. Then sealed in bags. 4. All stuffed toys to be saved have been placed in dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes Page 2 of 3

10 Checklist for You and Your Landlord LAST STEPS BEFORE TREATMENT tes: by the Tenant by the Landlord 1. All clutter has been removed. 2. Carpets have been vacuumed. 3. Carpets have been steam cleaned. 4. Mattresses have been vacuumed thoroughly including crevices, seams, handles and buttons. 5. Bed frame has been vacuumed. 6. Baseboards have been vacuumed. 7. Vacuum bag has been sealed in a plastic bag and then thrown out. COMPLETION DATE: When finished, give this checklist to your Landlord by no later than: Thank you. Page 3 of 3

11 INFORMATION Bed Bugs Who can help?

12 LEGAL ADVICE SUPPORT AND SERVICE