By Felicia Cooper, Health & Safety Officer, & Chris Chestnut, Safety Officer
Due to recent events at one of the local schools in Fairbanks regarding bed bugs, TCC wants to reintroduce the proper precautions and provide information of what to look for and what to do if you encounter a bed bug. Even though your child may not attend the school in question, multiple school events and activities have occurred, and there is a greater opportunity for bed bugs to travel.
What to Look for:
- Rusty or reddish stains on bed sheets or mattresses
- Eggs and eggshells, which are about 1mm
- Live bed bugs
- Bed bug bites or rash
What to Do If You Find a Bed Bug:
- Remove infested items. Place them in a sealed plastic bag and treat them.
- Items that cannot be treated should be placed in a sealed plastic bag or storage container and left there for up to a year.
- Purchase protective covers that seal mattresses and box springs.
- Vacuum constantly and empty contents into a bag and discard immediately.
- Seal any small hiding areas using caulk to seal cracks and crevices.
- Eliminate clutter.
Where Bed Bugs Hide:
- Electrical receptacles and appliances
- Under wall hangings
- Seams of chairs, couches, between cushions, and in the folds of curtains
- Drawer joints
- At the junction where the wall and ceiling meet
Killing Bed Bugs:
- Heat treatment: wash and dry clothing on the highest heat the fabric will tolerate.
- Cold treatment: Put infested items (pillows, bedding, etc.) in a sealed bag and place it outside in 0° or colder, for about four days.
- Steam cleaners: can get into cracks and fabrics to treat carpets, baseboards, bed frames and furniture.
- Bed bug interceptor traps.
- Hiring a professional.
Prevention:
- Continue to inspect for bed bugs at least every 7 days in case any eggs remain.
Check out TCC’s Environmental Health Page for more information and resources related to bed bugs: https://www.tananachiefs.org/services/environmental-health/#more-2438