Bed bugs are spreading at an alarming rate across the United States. According to a story by Laura Petrecca in USA Today, pest control companies have seen a 57 percent increase in cases related to bed bugs in the last five years and an 81 percent increase since 2000.
On the University of Richmond's campus, one case of bed bugs has been reported during the new school year, according to Al Lane, manager of custodial and environmental services. During the 2009-2010 school year, two to three cases were reported.
"When we get a call, we first have to identify if it is in fact a bed bug, then we have a procedure that we follow to get the bed bugs eliminated," Lane said.
Once facilities in contacted, they notify Ecolab, the university's contractor for pest control services, to conduct an investigation of the space. Bed bugs can be removed either with chemicals or, depending on the severity of the case, by replacing the mattress altogether, Lane said.
If a student's room is found to have bed bugs, the student must wash and dry all of his or her linens and laundry. While the room is being treated, the student may be placed in a different room for the night.
"We treat them pretty aggressively and often the cause has to do with international travel," Lane said.
One student whose room became infested last year while living in Keller Hall said that he had begun getting red, itchy bumps all over his body and noticed a growing number after each night. The student searched the symptoms online and when he suspected he had bed bugs, he reported the case to the housing department and later to the facilities department.
Ecolab inspected the bed and wooding surrounding the bed and found that the bed was in fact infested with bed bugs, but that they were not in the full growth state where they could be seen. The bed bugs did not spread to his roommate's side of the room.
According to the National Pest Management Association's Bed Bug Guide, the adult bed bug is typically one- quarter inch in length and ranges in color from brown to reddish brown following a blood meal. Bed bugs are known for thriving in unconventional living environments, including small cracks and crevices, baseboards, wallpaper, upholstery and furniture crevices. Although bed bugs do not transmit diseases, their bites leave behind inflamed, itchy welts.
Bed bugs can be prevented by vacuuming suitcases after returning from vacation, cleaning regularly, vacuuming mattresses and seeking professional help at the first suspicion of bed bugs.
"If a student thinks they may have bed bugs they should report it to facilities," Lane said. "The faster that happens, the faster we can deal with the situation."
Contact staff writer Sarah Bowers at sarah.bowers@richmond.edu
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