By By Alexis Largoza-Gershoff
The expression “sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite” is being taken quite literally throughout New York City, as the tiny parasites have infested record numbers of homes, hotels and hospitals.
Amidst concern, the University is assuring students that on-campus housing is bed bug-free.
A bed bug refers to a brown, wingless insect that latches onto a mammal’s skin and becomes engorged with the host’s blood, leaving a characteristic red bump at the site of attachment.
Small and nocturnal, they can be found anywhere, from mattresses to floor cracks to wooden dressers and are capable of surviving within the messiest or tidiest environments.
The bugs were nearly eradicated in the United States in the mid-1960s, but over the past seven years there has been an increase of infestation reports, according to the National Pest Management Association.
NPMA entomologists have received 119 specimens from separate infestations for identification from 44 states and the District of Columbia.
Jean Anne Smith, associate director of residential life, said she has received no reports of any bed bug infestations.
“It’s a cleanliness issue,” she said. “At this point, there’s no problem on campus.”
Smith said mattresses are not recycled and are kept in plastic in various storage areas around campus.
The New York Times, however, reported that bed bugs, which resemble ticks, have been spotted in some of the city’s most upscale accommodations, as well as many private residences, dispelling the notion that bed bugs are only found in unsanitary areas.
While just two bed bug violations were reported in 2002, 449 have been reported since July. Similarly, the NPMA estimates that the number of bed bug exterminations increased 63 percent between 2000 and 2004.
Despite rising occurrences, some students are not concerned.
“I don’t think that bed bugs are things to be overly concerned about,” Kelly Glista, a freshman broadcast journalism major, said. “I think if people begin to follow precautions, then the problem will lessen.”
Possible causes of the “epidemic” are numerous and varied.
Arthur Katz, owner of Knockout Pest Control in Uniondale, said the major culprits of the resurgence is cheaper international travel and the fact that many pesticides that have been used to kill the bugs in the past have been lost.
While the insects are not known to carry disease, they do trigger anxiety in those whose homes are infested.
Dr. Maximillian Ania, of Southhampton, N.Y., said to look for such symptoms as small, red bites and even minor swelling around the area.
“It is important not to scratch the bites because they may become infected,” Ania added. “To reduce itching or swelling, you can apply an ice pack or anaesthetic creams such as Cortizone. If the condition worsens, see a doctor.”
Katz said once infestation occurs, only a professional can completely eradicate the bed bug problem.
“If the bed bugs are not thoroughly treated, they can multiply,” Katz added.
He encouraged students to take practical steps to discourage bed bug populations, including washing clothes thoroughly after travel, vacuuming suitcases after travel, washing sheets in hot water and covering mattresses with lining and plastic, which can be purchased from any moving company.
The NPMA also suggests initially vacuuming the affected area and using a low-moisture steamer to treat mattress seams.
Bedbugs are brown, wingless insects that latch onto mammals, sucking their blood and leaving red bumps on the host. (Photo Courtesy smh.com.au)