By Zaimarie De Guzman

Summer is a time for vacation getaways, fun in the sun and, well, bedbugs.

The inspiration to a classic bedtime rhyme, bedbugs have become an emerging problem on the Treasure Coast, and experts say summer is the peak season for the parasitic insects.

“This is the time people are traveling in and out of motels or hotels, which are where bedbugs are common,” said Bob Curran, a volunteer for Martin County’s extension of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture. “The pests are traveling with their human carriers on skin and in luggage, and being transported to people’s homes.”

It’s in these homes that the reddish-brown insects the size of apple seeds settle into their prefered habitats: crevices in mattresses, box springs and other common sleeping areas.

They become active at night, when they feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, especially humans.

“Once they infest a house, the bedbugs are very difficult to control,” Curran said.

A study by UF suggests fumigation by a bedbug exterminator is the most effective method to eliminate the pests, and because of the rise in bedbug cases, many pest control companies offer bedbug treatment.

Reynolds Pest Management, which serves Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Palm Beach counties, treats an average of two bedbug cases a week, a big increase from the two cases per year the company used to treat three years ago.

“Not only are people bringing them when they travel, but the bugs are also becoming resistant to insecticides,” owner Brian Reynolds said.

Reynolds said he has heard of various ineffective ways people have tried to get rid of the pests on their own, like the use of insecticides, mattress covers or removal of furniture.

“Throwing away furniture won’t work because the bugs also hide in walls, electrical outlets and any other place they can get on,” he said.

To prevent infestations, Ian Horridge, a service manager at Terminix Treasure Coast offices, suggests travelers beware of bug-infested hotel rooms.

“Keep luggage away from drawers and keep an eye out for blood spots on sheets or skin irritations,” Horridge said.

“The good thing is people are getting educated. If they know how to detect them, they’ll know how to get rid of them on time.”

What can homeowners/tenants do to protect themselves?

Inspect vintage furniture, antiques and used appliances or consignment items for signs of bedbugs before bringing them into the home.

Never pick up used mattresses or furniture left curbside. They were probably discarded for a reason.

Inspect and wash (in warm water) previously worn clothing that has been donated or purchased.

Use zippered encasements on mattresses and box springs. This will help keep these items from becoming infested and will trap the bedbugs inside if bedbugs are already present.

Quarantine infested items. Often, the first reaction is to move infested items to an alternate room. This will only spread the problem.

If you suspect you have bedbugs, have your home inspected by a trained professional. Bedbugs can not be effectively controlled with do-it-yourself methods and will require the assistance of a pest control operator.

What can travelers do to keep from bringing them home?

Check headboards, mattresses and box springs for bedbugs and the dark blood spots they leave behind.

Hang all clothing. Leave nothing lying on the bed or furniture.

Avoid unpacking clothing and storing them in the hotel’s furniture drawers.

Don’t allow your baggage to sit on the floor. Store it on a luggage rack as far from the bed as possible.

If you notice evidence of bedbugs, request another room or change hotels.

When returning home, leave luggage in the garage or basement until you are able to thoroughly inspect it for bedbugs.

Vacuum suitcases when returning from trips and immediately wash clothing in hot water.

Source: Terminix

Tags: bed bugs, housing, Martin County, St. Lucie County

This entry was posted on Friday, June 25th, 2010 at 8:57 am and is filed under Indian River County, Martin County, St. Lucie County, treasure coast. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.