Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are not the carriers of disease like some insects (such as ticks or triatomid bugs), but the bites of bed bugs can be itchy, painful, and lead to an anxiety that causes one a loss of sleep and possible infection of bites.

There are several signs that can indicate a bed bug infestation, whether it is in one’s home, an assisted living facility, a hospital, or a nursing home. The most obvious sign is sighting of the bug. Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, reddish-brown in color and they move fast. They can hitch a ride in clothing, furniture, or move in from neighboring rooms or apartments. The next thing to look for is red bites or itchy red welts (that often occur in a line). The critters usually bite in the ankle area, but they will begin biting anyplace they can access their sleeping victims. The bites rarely lead to an allergic reactions. Bites are mostly just a nuisance. Another indication of bed bug infestation is rust-colored stains on bedding, mattress, clothes, or walls. This is feces from the insect. Other visible traces of bed bugs are blood from the person bit, bed bug eggs, and skins from the insect as it goes through several molts before reaching adulthood. The last sign of bed bugs is a musty odor that their scent glands leave behind. 

Treating a bed bug infestation requires diligence. They are not easy to get rid of and great caution must be used if chemical insecticides are part of the treatment regimen. Chemicals alone will not be effective. The places that bed bugs hide when not feeding has to be cleaned out, treated, and/or eliminated. If treating bedding with chemicals, make sure it is labeled as safe for said usage. 

The first area of attack for bed bug treatment is the bed and within close proximity of the sleeping arrangements. This includes the mattress, all bedding, bedframe, boxspring, headboard, bedclothes. Use a stiff brush to sweep any bugs or eggs off of the mattress, frame, boxsprings, headboard. Seal the mattress in a zippered bag that is specific for eliminating bed bug hiding spaces. Next, vacuum everything that was brushed and the floor. Vacuum carpets, baseboards, curtains, furniture, and  any visible cracks. Vacuum often. Seal cracks and crevices that are found in floors and walls as they are wonderful hiding places for bed bugs. Wallpaper especially provides spaces for bed bugs to hide.  

Get rid of clutter in the bedroom as it afford the bugs many places to hide. When cleaning any fabrics that are suspected of harbouring bed bugs, use hot water to wash, and a high heat drying of at least 30 minutes. Items that cannot be washed (such as stuffed animals, pillows, shoes) should be bagged and put in a dryer on high heat for at last thirty minutes. And for items that cannot be heated due to size or delicacy, then bagging them up for at least a year is recommended. Mark items as infested so no one takes them or unbags them before the appropriate time has passed. Bed bugs can live up to a year without feeding in a hibernating state. 

If an exterminator is being hired to treat a residence for bedbugs, make sure they are experienced in eliminating these insects. Make sure they have references and referrals. When treating areas with the elderly or with children, it is important that exterminators use the least toxic, and least effective amount of insecticide that will still do the job.

As said before, bed bug bites do not spread disease, but the bites themselves can be itchy, painful, and become infected. Bed bugs should not be tolerated or allowed to persist in any facility where hygiene and medical treatment are goals. If you suspect that you or a loved one are living in a facility harbouring bed bugs, and harmful infected sores have resulted from the problem not being addressed, then you may be eligible for damages. Contact the Sweeney Law Firm and let our experts review the facts to see if you have a case of gross negligence against a nursing care facility. There is no cost for representation unless a settlement or cash recovery is made on your behalf.