KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Spring and summer months bring all sorts
of favorite activities, like traveling and shopping for deals at yard sales. But
University of Tennessee Extension entomologist Karen Vail says these activities
could leave you at a greater risk for a bed bug infestation.According to Vail, “Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers.
They can enter homes via infested luggage, backpacks, purses, clothing and
furniture. Depending on their stage of life, bed bugs can be one twenty-fifth
to one third of an inch in size, which makes them extremely difficult to spot.”
While traveling, Vail advises keeping luggage and suitcases
away from the bed. Consider storing suitcases in the bathroom or place them in
a sealable plastic bag. If staying in a hotel, always inspect the room before
you unpack, checking for bed bugs behind the headboard, along the mattress
seam, and any other cracks and crevices. If you do find bed bugs, ask for a
different room immediately. Before leaving the hotel, check your luggage, and
then wash and dry your clothes as soon as you arrive home. If you’re in a
hurry, leave your suitcase in a sealed bag until you have time to inspect and
clean it.
For those who enjoy shopping at yard or garage sales, Vail
suggests closely inspecting any item before bringing it into your home. This
goes for new-to-you beds, bedding, furniture, appliances, clothing, purses,
backpacks and briefcases. Vail says you may want to consider placing purchased
items into a small heat chamber designed to kill bed bugs or using a steamer on
them before bringing them into your home. Be sure to read equipment directions
to avoid damaging items. “A garage sale bargain can quickly become expensive if
it brings bed bugs into your home,” she cautions.
Vail carries a lint roller made to remove pet hair when she
travels. These sticky sheets easily catch bed bugs when rolled over them. While this quick check can be reassuring, she
recommends running clothing through the dryer after you get home.
For industry professionals, like housing managers, pest
control professionals, health department representatives and others, UT
Extension has scheduled the 4th Annual Tennessee Bed Bug and
Cockroach Management Meeting for August 1. The event will be held in Knoxville
at the UT Conference Center, beginning at 7:30 a.m. The meeting features
national experts, topics like community-wide bed bug management success, the
future of bed bug detection and a question and answer panel with all speakers to
conclude the day.
To register and for more information, go to tiny.utk.edu/bedbugs. The
registration deadline for the one-day meeting is July 24. Cost is $100 for pest
management professionals, while all others may register at a discounted cost of
$50 per person. Registration fee includes lunch, parking in the Locust Street garage, meeting materials and
six recertification points for pesticide certification card holders in
categories 7, 8, 10 and 12.
For additional help and resources, visit ag.tennessee.edu/bedbugs or
contact your local county Extension office. You can also follow the Urban
Integrated Pest Management in Tennessee Facebook
page.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture celebrates 50 years
of excellence in providing Real. Life. Solutions. through teaching, discovery
and service.ag.tennessee.edu.
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Contact:
Karen
Vail, professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology, 865-974-7138, kvail@utk.edu
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4th Annual Tennessee Bed Bug and Cockroach Management Meeting program