Bed Bug Policy - Campus Services

[alexanderdebrahan]

Wagner College is committed to an effective and efficient response to the bed bug issue.  A coordinated effort between the College Departments will provide education, communication, investigation, guidance, and on-going support.

This policy will provide information and guidelines to deal with any bud bug incidents.  In the order to maintain a proactive approach, this policy will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis.  This will include a review of the Bed Bug work orders that have been submitted over the previous year, training procedures and bed bug information.
Bed bugs are small nocturnal insects that live by feeding on the blood of humans and other warm blooded hosts. The adult bed bug is ¼ inch long, ⅛ inch wide (about the size of the apple seed) and reddish brown.  It is flattened from top to bottom, with an oval that is well adapted for hiding in narrow crevices.  The body may become greatly enlarged and blood-red during a blood meal, but it subsequently turns a dirty brown.  Bed bugs lack wings and cannot fly, but they are very mobile.

[danielhowell]

Bed bugs are generally active at night or dawn, with a peak feeding period approximately an hour before sunrise. After feeding for five to fifteen minutes, the bug returns to its hiding place.  They typically walk undetected across human skin.
Bites consist of a raised red bump or flat welt, and are often accompanied by intense itching. The red bump or flat welts are the result of an allergic reaction to the anesthetic contained in the bed bugs saliva, which is inserted into the blood of the host.  Bed bug bites may appear indistinguishable from mosquito bites, although they tend to last for longer periods.   Bites may not become immediately visible and can take up to 9 days to appear.  Bites may sometimes be aligned three in a row.
There have been no known cases of bed bugs passing disease from host to host. Extensive testing has been performed in laboratory settings which confirm the findings.  Therefore, bed bugs are less dangerous than some more common insects such as the flea.

[donaldrsimonn]

Bed bugs are generally active at night or dawn, with a peak feeding period approximately an hour before sunrise. After feeding for five to fifteen minutes, the bug returns to its hiding place.  They typically walk undetected across human skin.
Bites consist of a raised red bump or flat welt, and are often accompanied by intense itching. The red bump or flat welts are the result of an allergic reaction to the anesthetic contained in the bed bugs saliva, which is inserted into the blood of the host.  Bed bug bites may appear indistinguishable from mosquito bites, although they tend to last for longer periods.   Bites may not become immediately visible and can take up to 9 days to appear.  Bites may sometimes be aligned three in a row.
There have been no known cases of bed bugs passing disease from host to host. Extensive testing has been performed in laboratory settings which confirm the findings.  Therefore, bed bugs are less dangerous than some more common insects such as the flea.

To move from egg through adult and egg again under ideal conditions (75 to 80 percent relative humidity, 83 to 90 degrees F) may take four to five weeks; under less optimal conditions such as lower temperature and/or with fewer blood meals, development time may be longer. Adults can live several months (some say more than a year) and nymphs for three months without feeding.  Under typical conditions with a host (food supply), a bed bug may be able to live more than 300 days.
Bed bugs were originally brought to the United States by early colonists from Europe. Bed bugs thrive in areas with high occupancy such as hotels, apartment complexes, and other residential facilities.  Bed bugs were believed to be altogether eradicated 50 years ago in the United States and elsewhere with the widespread use of DDT.

[johnpketchum12]

There are several theories regarding the resurgence of bed bugs. One theory attributes to the reemergence to the lack of DDT use for pest control.  Another theory points to the increase in international travel.  A main reason is simply a lack of knowledge of their existence and behavior.  They often go undetected until they become a major infestation and have already been transported to new locations.
Anyone can knowingly pick up bed bugs from a location they presently exist – an apartment, other residence hall rooms, movie theaters, hotels, motels, etc. They can also be harboring in secondhand furniture.  Bed bugs are equal opportunity pests – they will infest anyone, anywhere, and are not a result of poor hygiene or uncleanliness.
First, look at the room you are staying in to seek potential hiding places for bed bugs, such as carpet edges, mattress seems, pillow linings, head boards, wall trim or other tiny crack like places bed bugs might hide.

[thomasmmcharles]

There are several theories regarding the resurgence of bed bugs. One theory attributes to the reemergence to the lack of DDT use for pest control.  Another theory points to the increase in international travel.  A main reason is simply a lack of knowledge of their existence and behavior.  They often go undetected until they become a major infestation and have already been transported to new locations.
Anyone can knowingly pick up bed bugs from a location they presently exist – an apartment, other residence hall rooms, movie theaters, hotels, motels, etc. They can also be harboring in secondhand furniture.  Bed bugs are equal opportunity pests – they will infest anyone, anywhere, and are not a result of poor hygiene or uncleanliness.
First, look at the room you are staying in to seek potential hiding places for bed bugs, such as carpet edges, mattress seems, pillow linings, head boards, wall trim or other tiny crack like places bed bugs might hide.

The Pest Control Contractor will be contacted. A pest control will need to check drawers, desks, and other furniture in the space.  It is best if the reporting person is present; however, in every situation that the pest control technician is in an office, a member of Campus Operations will also be present.
If the pest control technicians find that there are no bed bugs present in the space, they will, as a precaution, put in place a bed bug monitoring system for follow-up. The faculty or staff member will be asked to continue observing the suspected space, and to notify Campus Operations immediately if there are further problems.
If the pest control technician find that bed bugs are present in the space, individuals MUST follow the list of instructions provided for pre-treatment preparations. Generally, any non-office space preparations would be completed by Housekeeping Services and Campus Operations in coordination with the primary users of that space.

[alexanderdebrahan]

Spaces on either side, above and below, an infected space may also be required to be treated.
Only the pest control technician can officially confirm or deny the presence of bed bugs.
Bed bugs are a serious community issue and ALL faculty and staff are expected to comply with all instructions given to them within 24 hours once bed bugs have been confirmed within their space.

All efforts will be made to coordinate the necessary treatment of affected spaces as quickly and as effectively as possible.  However, any space designated to have bed bugs and possibly surrounding spaces, is eligible for closing as determined necessary by the Bed Bug Response Team, until the treatment has occurred and the space has been cleared by the pest control technician.

[danielhowell]

Depending on level of infestation and provided the room is completely prepared it will be out of service for a minimum of 5-7 days, this may vary upon completion of initial treatment, but the Pest Control Technician will inform you.
All bed linens, bed skirts, towels, clothing (robes) and curtains should be bagged, removed and laundered immediately (washed and placed into a dryer-high heat).
All closets and furniture containing clothes, linens, etc should be removed and laundered as well.
All items advised to be discarded by the Pest Control Technician (example: furniture, mattresses, box springs, headboards, etc.) must be completely wrapped in plastic and labeled “DISCARD-DO NOT REUSE” and must be discarded immediately. Items must be clearly labeled so they do not get mistaken for clean items and transported to another premises.  If the Pest Control Technician does not require any furniture to be discarded, then everything shall remain in the room for treatment and after.

[johnpketchum12]

Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown, parasitic oval-shaped insects roughly the size of an apple seed. They are most active at night, and they feed on blood. When they’re inside a home, they can be attracted to sleeping humans by cues such as carbon dioxide and body heat.  They may emerge from their resting spots under mattresses, around headboards, or in furniture to find their next meal, sometimes leaving small bites, which may resemble mosquito or flea bites. Generally, bed bugs feed every 5 to 10 days. Bed bug service