There's been a growing concern in our region recently regarding the threat of bed bugs, as more calls than usual have been coming into the Cypress Health Region requesting information.
It is possible for any home to experience a bed bug infestation, especially during the hot summer months, when the insects are more active.
Consulting Medical Health Officer with the Cypress Health Region, Dr. David Torr explained some things you can do if you suspect you have bed bugs in your home.
"There are measures you can take, but it's also wise to call a pest control comany or even local public health," Torr said, "there are things you can do first of all, vaccuuming out those areas where the bugs are, wash your clothing and bed spread in hot water and allow it to dry for at least 30 minutes."
He added the insects have not been linked to the spread of serious diseases like other insects they've warned about.
"They do cause irritation to the skin, which of course if you scratch can become infected, but on top of that there's the creepy-crawly phenomenon nobody wants to feel."
Torr added there are several ways to confirm the bugs presence, they are typically reddish-brown, with oval-shaped wingless bodies.
"You can see their eggs and their droppings, which are little little dark spots, the bed bugs themselves are quite small, if they're well fed they can resemble an apple seed in size."
He suggested using a bright flashlight, and search for them or their droppings on bedroom furniture, windows, baseboards and doorframes, and you can use a hair dryer, thin knife or card to force them out of hiding spaces and cracks.
Other things you should do if you have these insects in your home, after you've spoken to pest control:
-Use a nozzle attachment on the vacuum to remove live adult bed bugs and immature bed bugs, and their eggs
-Vacuum all crevices on your mattress, bed frame, baseboards, and any objects close to your bed
-Wash all clothing, bed sheets, blankets, mattress pads, pillows and their cases in the hottest water possible, and place them in a hot dryer for 30 minutes
-Remove all unneccessary clutter -Seal cracks and crevices in your home
-Repair or remove peeling wallpaper, tighten loose light switch voers, and seal openings where pipes, wires or other utilities come into your home
-Properly dispose of infested items that cannot be cleaned
Bed bugs are not necessarily associated with living conditions, and can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. For more information you can call Public Health at 306-778-5280, or visit www.cypresshealth.ca/phi and click on Pest Control & Animal Bites.
Tue, May 14, 1:00 PM
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