Problem Identifier Unit Screen//v.w/ RR Template

Problem Identifier Unit Screen//v.w/ RR Template Bedbugs

Problem
Painful swellings develop on the body. Dark brown to black spotted stains appear on pillows, sheets, and other bedding. When the lights are turned on at night, reddish brown, oval-shaped bugs about ¼ inch long may be seen crawling on the skin and bedding.

Analysis
(Cimex lectularius)
&NBSP;&NBSP;These distasteful bugs have become an infrequent problem in the United States. However, they still infest homes where living conditions are unsanitary, and may be transported to well-maintained residences on infested clothing and furniture. Bedbugs hide during the day behind baseboards, in mattresses and upholstered furniture, in cracks and crevices in the floor, bedframes, ceilings, and similar locations. These pests are nocturnal, and become very active at night. They crawl onto a sleeping person, pierce their skin, and suck their blood for several minutes. Bedbugs usually deposit telltale masses of dark excrement on bedding or resting sites after they feed. They are very active, and may crawl from room to room during the night.

Solution
Spray baseboards, wall crevices, and floor cracks with a 2-percent solution of malathion or ronnel. Spray bed frames and springs with a 1percent solution of malathion or ronnel. Mist mattresses with a 1percent solution of malathion, but do not soak them. Be sure to spray mattress seams and tufts. Let mattresses dry completely before reusing. Do not spray infant cribs and bedding. If bedbugs reinfest the home, treat again after an interval of 2 weeks. Launder all bedding thoroughly. Keep the house clean.