Stop Bedbugs Safely Last winter, the NYCHA Journal ran its first article on bed bugs. These nocturnal parasites have resurfaced in New York City. They only come out at night, and they can be hard to detect, but once you have them you will need a NYCHA exterminator to get rid of them. Find out what you need to know... What are bed bugs? Bed bugs are small insects that feed on human blood. They are usually active at night when people are sleeping. Adult bed bugs have flat, rusty-red-colored oval bodies. About the size of an apple seed, they are big enough to be easily seen, but often hide in cracks in furniture, floors, or walls. When bed bugs feed, their bodies swell and become brighter red. They can live for several weeks or months without food or water. What does a bed bug bite feel and look like? Most bed bug bites are initially painless, but later turn into large, itchy skin welts. These welts do not have a red spot in the center like flea bites. Are bed bugs dangerous? Although bed bugs are a nuisance, they are not known to spread disease. How does a home become infested with bed bugs? In most cases, people carry bed bugs into their homes unknowingly, in infested luggage, furniture, bedding, or clothing. Bed bugs may also travel between apartments through small crevices and cracks in walls and floors. How do I know if my home is infested with bed bugs? You may notice itchy skin welts. You may also see the bed bugs themselves, small bloodstains from crushed insects, or dark spots from their droppings. It is often hard to see them because they hide in or near beds, other furniture, and in cracks. What should I do if I find I have bed bugs? Do not attempt to solve the bed bug problem yourself. Pesticides - even the ones commonly available in stores - can be hazardous to people and pets, and bed bugs are particularly hard to treat. If you discover that you have bed bugs, contact your Management Office immediately so that a work ticket for a visit by a NYCHA exterminator can be filled out. Remember, residents of Queens and Staten Island should call the Centralized Call Center at (718) 707-7771. Also report any cracks in the plaster, especially in the bedrooms, for repair. Treatment for bed bugs will be done in three phases: A NYCHA exterminator will inspect, make recommendations and schedule a date to treat the apartment. You will be advised to: Vacuum, wash, and remove all bedding so that the exterminator can treat thoroughly. Seal the affected mattresses and box springs with a plastic or vinyl cover (labeled "allergen rated," or "for dust mites") for at least one year. If the cover tears, replace it with a new one, discard it in a tightly sealed plastic bag, and throw it away in outside containers. Affected clothes and items from the floor should be placed in plastic bags, then washed in hot water and dried on the highest dryer setting. Dispose of infested items or clutter that can't be cleaned by tightly sealing them in plastic garbage bags and throwing them away in outside containers. On the scheduled treatment date, the exterminator will thoroughly treat all visibly affected areas, vacuum mattresses, bed frames, and the edges of carpets. Closets and any other areas where bed bugs may be hiding will also be treated and vacuumed. The NYCHA exterminator will return to the apartment within ten days for a follow-up treatment. The NYCHA exterminator will inform you if an additional treatment is necessary. How can I keep my furniture from infesting someone else's home? Never resell or donate infested furniture. If you throw infested furniture away, make it undesirable to others by cutting or poking holes in its upholstery or making it unusable. You should also notify your Management Office so that the mattress or furniture can be removed immediately from the garbage pick up area. How can I keep bed bugs out of my home? Wash clothing and bedding immediately after returning from a trip. " Never bring used or discarded bed frames, mattresses, box springs, or upholstered furniture into your home. For more information on safer pest control, visit nyc.gov/health or call 311 and ask for literature on safer pest control. The above article was written by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) in collaboration with the New York City Housing Authority.
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