Are bed bugs making a comeback? How to identify risks and avoid an infestation

As temperatures rise and travel among Americans begins to climb, an unwelcome visitor also is taking advantage of the warmer weather: bed bugs.

Entomologists say bed bugs appear to be surging as more people take trips that got sidelined during the pandemic.

Just before the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, four separate hotels were reported to have bed bug infestations, and around the time of Paris Fashion Week in October, a new resurgence of bed bug-related fears sprung up.

“Bed bugs are incredibly effective travelers just like we are,'' said Michael Bentley, director of training and education at the National Pest Management Association in 2023. "As we evolved to travel around the world, bed bugs evolved to travel with us.”

Last year was especially unique because of the huge resurgence of post-pandemic traveling, he said.

Despite the skin-crawling sensation you may be feeling at the mere thought, bed bugs are harmless. And while it may seem like more infestations are happening, there is likely not a huge cause for concern.

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“We've been dealing with bed bugs in the U.S. in a very big way since about the year 2000,” said Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, an entomologist with Cornell University and coordinator of the New York State Integrated Pest Management community program., last year. “Paris is the same; London is the same; Australia is the same — everyone's had this resurgence. So it's nothing new.”

Bed bug “season” is generally considered to be between the end of spring and early November, but that isn’t representative of when these pests are most active, just when people start noticing.

While bed bugs don’t typically spread disease, they can cause rashes that irritate the skin and can trigger allergic reactions, as well as cause psychological and in some cases financial stress.

Here’s how to keep your house and your peace of mind safe from bed bugs.

What do bed bugs look like?

Aptly named, bed bugs are most likely to be found in areas like mattresses and bed frames, as well as other cracks or crevices in a house. It’s typically said that if a crevice is small enough to hold a credit card, it also could hide a bed bug.

Bed bugs also can find refuge in electrical sockets, cracks in a wall or even cars.

An individual bug is typically the size of an apple seed, around a quarter to three-eighths of an inch, with an ovular body. Their color is largely determined by the last time the bug has fed and ranges from dark red to brownish color.

Dark spots found on furniture could be bed bug excrement, and small eggshells and pale-yellow skins typically are left by nymphs as they grow.

Bed bugs feed on blood from humans and other mammals and primarily are active at night. They can remain active in temperatures as low as 46 degrees Fahrenheit and die at temperatures around 113 degrees.

How to prevent bed bugs

Bed bugs are great at hiding, which is why regular cleaning and clutter removal can help limit places where the bugs can occupy.

Buying sealed encasements for mattresses and box springs also will keep populations of bed bugs from moving or infesting the material in the first place. Any bedding that’s brought into your house also should be inspected and washed before use.

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Chemical treatments are available in stores that can be used to prevent infestations, like aerosols and dust applied in cracks and crevices around the house.

Delaware does not have any protections for renters whose residences become infested, but contacting a landlord and collaborating on a treatment plan is considered the best practice.

What to (not) do with bed bug infestations

Consumer pesticides typically are ineffective in wiping out bed bug populations, so calling a professional is the best practice to take if you suspect your home’s been infested with bed bugs. Professional treatments sometimes involve steam cleaning or heat treatments that may take up to eight hours.  

It’s not recommended to dispose of infested items, which can cause the populations to migrate. However, in multifamily homes, disposal is sometimes the safest option. A pest control specialist can help determine what method is the best for your situation.

Monitors and traps are available at stores, from simple plastic tray arrangements to chemical baiting and electronic devices that work to draw and trap the bugs.

While professional treatments are effective in wiping out certain populations, they don’t always guarantee infestations won’t come back.

Experts also assure that a bed bug infestation is not indicative of a “dirty” lifestyle, as people often pick them up when traveling.  

Contact Molly McVety at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.