With heavy travel and growth in population, Indianapolis makes an appearance on the list of most infected bed bug cities in the country, ranking at No. 13.
Conducted by Terminix, other mega cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago top the list, which makes some ask why Indianapolis and how can residents stop the infestations from increasing?
“Pesticides being outlawed and our reliance on imported goods, heavy travel, plus the fact that we as consumers purchase a lot of things off the Internet are the reasons why you see infestations coming back at a rapid rate,” said Michael Colongione, president of GotchA! Bed Bug Inspector and spokesman for Pronto Plus.
Larry Lobdell, an environmental health specialist at the Marion County Health Department, reports that he has received approximately 850 phone calls for bed bug infestations since January.
He adds that the infestations are affecting those who have low social economic status and are spreading through purchasing used furniture and used clothes from stores such as Goodwill and Shopper’s World.
“The people with the worst infestations are the ones who can least afford to pay the high cost of eradication,” Lobdell said.
Bed bugs are described as “cracking crevice bugs” or “urban bugs” that are concentrated in places where there are multiple dwellings, thus why they are mostly found in apartment buildings. Lobdell says those who have transit housing, constant people moving in and out of neighborhoods, such as Brightwood and Fountain Square, often get bed bugs.
“All it takes is one egg, one bed bug to create infestation in an area,” Colongione said. “Every time you come in contact with someone is an opportunity to spread bed bugs.”
Bed bugs tend to stay close to where they feed. That typically means in a bed, a couch, and for those who are elderly and spend most of their time in a recliner, bed bugs are found there too.
In early infestation it’s normal to wake up with bites. Besides, seeing a bed bug upclose, having a bite is the key indicator that you might have an infestation. Evidence such as red or black markings, red representing blood from either you or the bug and black for bed bug feces, on your mattress are also signs that your home may be infested.
“In most cases, females will be bitten first because bed bugs do not care for hair and normally women have less hair than men,” Colongione adds. “A K-9 inspection is the No. 1 way to identify whether you have them or not and what type of infestation you have.”
Once customers are aware they have an infestation, it’s in their best interest to stay in bed or in the apartment because if there isn’t a food source, the bed bugs will travel and look for one. So in cities like Indianapolis, where people live next door to each other in apartment buildings, bed bugs are going to travel through electrical outlets, through cracks and crevices in walls, in molding, and through plumbing.
“The more popular the city, the more travelers that come into that city, the more likely the opportunity to come into contact with bed bugs,” Colongione said.
Though it seems impossible to treat bed bugs, Colongione and Lobdell both agree the best way to get rid of them is by staying educated.
“Is there a way to prevent yourself 100 percent from infestations? No,” Colongione said. “Education is the key to being bed bug free.”
Unlike Colongione, Lobdell doesn’t promote the use of chemical spray to solely kill bed bugs. He suggests the best way to treat the infestation is to physically remove the bugs because it is more cost efficient.
“I like to tell people to organize a family bed bug hunt and go after them with flashlights, magnifying glasses, spray bottles with rubbing alcohol, a vacuum cleaner and some wet wipes,” Lobdell said. “It cost four to five bucks to call me compared to almost $1,000 to use chemical spray.”
Whichever method a customer chooses to take, both Colongione and Lobdell emphasize changing behavior and bad habits to prevent reoccurring infestations.
“You can minimize your risk as much as possible if you learn how to travel smart,” Colongione said.
“Taking care of bed bugs is more of a lifestyle,” added Lobdell. “You’re going to have to change the way you do things. It’s not just a nursery rhyme, they’re real.”
For more information and tips on bed bugs visit gotchabedbuginspectors.com or call the Marion County Health Department at (317) 221-2316.
