NICEVILLE, Fla. — Bed bugs could be an unwanted souvenir from your next vacation, and experts at the University of Florida say travelers from Northwest Florida should be especially watchful this summer.
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With vacation season in full swing, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is urging travelers to inspect hotel rooms, rental homes, and even secondhand purchases for signs of bed bugs. While no Florida cities made the top 10 in a recent national ranking for bed bug infestations, Tampa Bay, Central Florida, and South Florida were among the top 50.
Even a quick getaway from Niceville could put your home at risk, said UF/IFAS urban entomologist Roberto Pereira, who spent years researching household pests.
“Bed bugs are blood-sucking insects well adapted to life indoors, especially within homes and apartments,” said Mr Pereira.
“Blood is their only food, and they can extract it from several animals, including those we usually keep as pets.”
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Experts say bed bugs are difficult to detect and even harder to get rid of once they’re home. One female can lay up to 500 eggs, and the bugs pass through five life stages — starting as nearly invisible eggs and growing into reddish adults after feeding.
“Bed bugs don’t live on their hosts, but because they need to feed on a host in order to grow from one life stage, they are typically not found far away from the areas someone might spend a lot of time – such as a bed,” said Dr Johnalyn Gordon, an assistant professor of entomology at UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center.
“Bed bugs are typically most active during the night, when they will feed before returning to a crack or crevice to hide in.”
The insects are flat and yellowish before feeding, then become swollen and dark red after a blood meal, said Dr Faith Oi, director of UF/IFAS Pest Management University.
“The key to bed bug prevention and management is vigilance and recognizing all stages of the bed bug,” said Dr Oi.
“While adults can be as large as 3/16 of an inch, nymphs can be as small as a pen tip. Their appearance changes depending on whether they recently fed or not.”
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Bed bugs don’t transmit disease, but Mr Pereira said they can cause physical and emotional stress, especially when infestations go untreated.
“If the infestation is extreme, and a person is exposed to bed bug bites for a long period of time, that person may develop anemia and symptoms of low blood volume, known as hypovolemia,” he said.
“This can lead to other complications, including heart problems that can be dangerous. Fortunately, this occurs very rarely.”
Bed bugs are often picked up during travel and brought home on luggage, clothing, secondhand furniture, and even in shoes. UF/IFAS experts offered these tips to help prevent bed bugs from joining you on your return to Okaloosa or Walton County:
- Inspect beds, headboards, furniture seams, and nightstands before unpacking at your hotel or vacation rental.
- Keep luggage off beds, sofas, and carpeted areas.
- Before leaving, inspect your bags and belongings.
- When you get home, run clothes and washable items through a dryer on high heat for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Be cautious when purchasing used furniture or luggage. Use a lint roller in seams and folds to detect possible signs of bed bugs.
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If you do spot one, don’t panic.
“If you discover just one adult bed bug, simply crush it and discard, but be on the alert for others,” said Dr Oi.
“An introduction is one adult bed bug. An infestation means you’ve found more than one and in various stages of the life cycle, including eggs, nymphs and adults.”
Mr Pereira added that foggers are generally ineffective and are not the same as professional fumigants. Mattress encasements can help prevent future problems after treatment, as long as the zipper is tight enough to keep nymphs from escaping.
Experts also caution that bed bug bites alone are not a reliable way to diagnose an infestation. Reactions vary from person to person, and some people show no symptoms at all.
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If you suspect an infestation at your home, especially if you’ve recently traveled, UF/IFAS recommends contacting a pest control company experienced in bed bug treatment. A homeowner’s guide to selecting a pest control service is available at Ask IFAS, along with tips on what not to do if you suspect bed bugs.
More information, including a Spanish-language version of the prevention guide, is available at UF/IFAS News.
