- BED BUGS IN THE WORKPLACE -

An Old Bedfellow Returns

Bed bugs have been a persistent nuisance in dwellings since the dawn
of recorded history. It is thought that they originally parasitized bats
living in caves, switched to early humans as the preferred host, and
traveled with us around the globe. Up until the 1940’s, they were
almost as familiar a pest in American cities as fleas and mosquitoes.
But then the bed bug began to gradually disappear in this country
and throughout the developed world, probably in large part due to the
growing use of sprayed insecticides for all types of indoor pests. By
the 1980’s, most of the U. S. population had never even seen one.

Alas, the reprieve was all too brief. Starting in the 1990’s, bed bugs
began an explosive comeback that continues today. They are now a
fact of life in so many homes, hotels, and anywhere else with beds
that an increasing number of people are unwittingly carrying them into
offices, schools, hospitals, and other types of non-residential public
and commercial buildings.

A Perfect Parasite
A bed bug’s life is centered around blood – it is all they eat, and
both sexes require repeated blood meals for survival, growth, and
reproduction. Adults will feed weekly if they can, usually taking
about five to 10 minutes to fully engorge. They are extremely wary,
preferring to hide deep in crevices during the day and normally
emerging to feed only when their host is asleep. Fortunately for
us, bed bugs do not transmit any diseases. However, the itching,
inflamed bites can be very uncomfortable (although many people have
no reaction to them) and the psychological stress of being repeatedly
bitten while sleeping may be considerable.

Bed bugs are extraordinarily competent as human parasites. Eggs and

newly hatched nymphs are smaller than the head of a pin and thus
easily escape detection. The wingless adults are flat, oval in shape,
and about the size and color of an apple seed. They can effortlessly
slip into the smallest crevices, so hundreds may be completely
concealed within furniture and other objects in a single bedroom.
Adding to their survival skills, many can live for over a year without
feeding.
There are two distinguishing characteristics of workplace bed bug
incidents:

1) The bugs have usually been accidentally brought in – and may

continue to be brought in – by one or more persons whose residence
is infested. It is typical for these insects to conceal themselves in
clothing and belongings, such as briefcases, handbags, and backpacks.

2) Because opportunities for feeding are very limited in most office

environments, introduced bed bugs may wander extensively in search
of a better habitat. Therefore, infestations in typical workplaces are
likely to differ from those in residences, often involving relatively small
numbers of non-breeding bugs that are highly scattered, making it
difficult to both control them and to precisely locate their point of
origin.

Bed Bug Management: A Shared Responsibility

Despite the formidable challenges presented when bed bugs are

brought into the workplace, the pests can be suppressed and
eventually eliminated with persistence and highly specialized expertise.

The following four steps constitute the bed bug response protocol
used by GSA, representing the consensus of experts in the field.

1. SURVEILLANCE. If a bed bug infestation is suspected, a pest

management professional experienced with this particular work must
be hired to determine if the pests are indeed present, and if so, where
they may be concentrated. The familiar sticky traps used to detect
other types of pests are much less successful in capturing bed bugs.
Presently, the most effective means of surveillance to supplement
visual inspection are canine detection teams and specialized
monitoring devices.

2. NOTIFICATION / EDUCATION. If even a single bed bug is

found, it is imperative that all personnel in the affected space be
notified of the situation and provided with the following information:
a) Facts about bed bugs in general, and the workplace circumstances
in particular.
b) Actions employees should take (such as increased vigilance of their
surroundings and scrutiny of their possessions) to avoid inadvertently
taking one home. Employing plastic storage bins to isolate personal
items that are routinely carried back and forth from home can be a
useful protective technique.
c) Remedial actions that are being taken by management.

3. CONTROL. Effective bed bug control typically requires multiple

service visits. Depending on circumstances, the pest management
professional may use insecticides and/or nonchemical tactics such
as steam or cold treatment, and vacuuming. In extreme cases,
equipment, files, or other articles that are known to be infested may
be removed and treated offsite.

4. PREVENTION. Even if all bed bugs in an office or other workplace

were to be magically eliminated, they could return the next day if
the root cause for their presence is not identified and steps taken to
prevent a reoccurrence. It is not always obvious where the bugs are
coming from. Ideally, a person who realizes their home or apartment
is infested with this pest would quickly hire professionals to control
them. However, since treatment is difficult and expensive, the
following circumstances may apply:
a) An employee may not be able to afford treatment.
b) Pest control service may be the responsibility of an employee’s
landlord.
c) Residential control efforts may be ongoing, but inadequate.