The Brownwood/Brown County Health Department, in an attempt to limit the spread of bed bugs in the community, warns citizens to be aware that bed bug infestations have been identified in the Brown County area. Cases of bed bug infestations involving local homes and hotels have been reported, according Health Inspector Paul Coghlan and Brown County Public Health Official Dr. James B. Hays.
Coghlan stated that one case of bed bugs recently reported was in an affluent neighborhood. After the residents had visited a large city where they had an overnight stay in a hotel, they unknowingly brought the insects back to their own home. This is the most common way to be exposed to the insects, according to Coghlan. Dr. Hays suggested whenever staying in a hotel/motel or even another person’s residence, a quick check of the room can often pay off. Bed bugs are nocturnal and tend to hide during the daylight hours according to Hays.
When travelling, a hotel/motel room should be inspected before luggage is brought in. Lifting up the mattress and looking under it and turning down the bed sheets, as well as checking on furniture is recommended. Bed bugs can be seen along with blood spots. Coghlan stated that travelers should ask motel management if they have had any recent bed bug infestations. Two local hotels/motels have experienced infestations, most likely brought from another city, according to Coghlan. These establishments have had treatment performed on infested rooms and adjacent rooms. One of the establishments went to the expense of replacing the furniture in the infested room, according to Coghlan.
When renting or buying used furniture, a thorough inspection is also suggested before bringing the items into a home. The bugs often hide in furniture including night stands, headboards and more.
The adult bed bug is a reddish-brown insect that is about the size of an apple seed. They are found where humans are located, due to their search for a meal which consists of blood. It takes a bed bug approximately 5-10 minutes to take in a full blood meal.
Bed bugs reproduce quickly. A female can lay up to 5 eggs a day. These eggs hatch in 4-12 days and are laid in the crevices of mattresses, baseboards and box springs.
Anyone being exposed to bed bugs can take the following steps:
- Wash clothing and bedding in the highest temperature allowable that won’t damage fabric.
- Luggage and other travel items should be kept from inside the home and wrapped tight in plastic bags until they can be checked for bed bugs.
- Vacuuming, clearing clutter may diminish the problem, but consulting with a pest control provider is recommended. It is often unnecessary to dispose of household items infested with bed bugs; many items can be treated, encased or saved.
For questions or to report a case of bed bugs, contact the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department at 325-646-0554.
