Two California cities--Los Angeles and San Francisco--were listed in the top twenty of the fifty worst cities in the US for bed bug infestations.
Bed Bugs and Post Pandemic Travel
Bed bugs--a pre-pandemic scourge that may well see a resurgence and expansion in many areas due, in part, to increased travel and resident state relocation.
According to a recent internal survey conducted by Orkin, which ranks cities according to the number of bed bug treatments performed within a year, Los Angeles and San Francisco were ranked among the top twenty cities in the US for the most number of treatments.
Los Angeles went down three positions to number 12, while San Francisco moved up three places to number 19 in the country.
While the challenge of bed bugs may appear to be primarily the burden of large metropolitan areas with dense urban neighborhoods and a significantly higher volume of travel than outlying suburban and rural regions, due to the nature of bed bugs hitchhiking abilities, a resurgence in post-pandemic travel makes them everyone's concern.
The issue as it pertains to public health is so pronounced that, in 2010, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Environmental Protection Agency released a joint statement on bed bug control, citing serious mental health issues and post-bite secondary infections as major causes for concern.
Per the CDC;
Although bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, they are a pest of significant public health importance.
Bed bugs fit into a category of blood-sucking ectoparasites (external parasites) similar to head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis).
Bed bugs, like head lice, feed on the blood of humans but are not believed to transmit disease.
Other ectoparasites, such as body lice (Pediculus humanus corporis), are known to transmit several serious diseases.
Differences in the biology of similar species of pests, such as body lice and head lice (or bed bugs) can greatly impact the ability of pests to transmit disease.
Bed bugs cause a variety of negative physical health, mental health and economic consequences.
Many people have mild to severe allergic reaction to the bites with effects ranging from no reaction to a small bite mark to, in rare cases, anaphylaxis (severe, whole-body reaction).
These bites can also lead to secondary infections of the skin such as impetigo, ecthyma, and lymphanigitis.
Bed bugs may also affect the mental health of people living in infested homes..
Reported effects include anxiety, insomnia and systemic reactions.
Post-Pandemic Bed Bug Challenges and Solutions
Travelers and the hospitality industry likely face an uphill battle against the resurgence of the bed bug population in the US due to a reduction in available custodial staff.
Bed bugs do not respond favorably to commercial pesticides or expensive heat treatments.
Additionally, they can go dormant for months between feedings and tend to favor hiding in difficult-to-clean locations, including in the walls, in crevices, curtains, and furniture near beds.
However, their presence is relatively easy to detect in the form of bite marks or complaints from occupants and bloodstains on bedding from post-feeding defecation.
In the event a bed bug infestation is identified:
- Have trained personnel enter the area to inspect it wearing the appropriate protective equipment to prevent bed bugs from hitchhiking to other areas of the facility.
- Identify areas where bed bugs are present.
- Remove clutter where bed bugs could be hiding and dispose of it appropriately and safely.
- Remove and launder bedding with hot water and dry on the hottest setting.
- Vacuum the floor and use vacuum attachments to clear furniture and mattress crevices.
- Apply a commercial-grade desiccant powder around and on the bed and in any crevices near the bed, and everywhere bed bugs infestations are suspected.
- Quarantine the room and wait the prescribed number of days on the desiccant powder before reentering.
- Repeat applications as necessary.
References & Resources
- Chicago Takes Another Top Spot for Pests, This Time Ranking #1 on Orkin’s Bed Bug Cities List
- Bed Bugs FAQs
- How Long Can a Bed Bug Stay Dormant?
Takeaway
As post-pandemic travel increases, while businesses still struggle with adequate custodial staffing, bed bug infestations will continue to reemerge and spread to outlying suburban and rural communities.
Post-infestation pest control services, especially for large facilities, can be expensive.
Preventative measures, such as daily environmental cleaning, can be helpful, but trained personnel or staff experienced in bed bug infestation identification and eradication is the best solution.
Maintaining a knowledgeable and skilled service provider in-house can be cost-prohibitive in this market, underscoring the value of outsourcing your facility's environmental cleaning and integrated pest control services.
Outsourcing is a proven method for onboarding highly in-demand cleaning and sanitization services and experience for a fraction of the price of maintaining a similar service in-house.
If you would like more information regarding the effectiveness of high-performance infection prevention and control measures, or if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation on-site assessment of your facility's custodial needs, contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield, CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno, CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia, CA, or Santa Clarita, CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Palmdale, CA or Lancaster, CA, call (661) 371-4756
