Bed Bug Personal Protection Overview …because you really don’t want to bring bed bugs back to your car, office, or home Lauren Goltz, ACVCSD

Steps to prevent the spread of bed bugs: Attend training! Take precautions before and during inspections ▫Ask questions ▫Bring minimal items inside ▫Develop and maintain a bed bug kit ▫Be aware of your surroundings and client cues Containment of bed bugs post-inspection

Precautions and preparations: Before inspections, talk to your clients Ask questions regarding insects in the home  Previous infestation or treatment for any pests, including bed bugs?  Are they currently or have they previously received insect bites in the home? ** Phone or consultation is a vital inspection step

Precautions and preparations Approach these questions in a compassionate yet matter-of-fact manner Goal: have an idea of what to expect when you enter the home ▫REMEMBER: You are asking not only to protect yourself, but to provide better service to clients

Precautions and preparations Two inspectors for bed bugs ▫If bed bugs suspected, bring another inspector  Assist with inspection  Assist with post-inspection bed bug check

PPE kit for inspections

PPE kit for inspections: A kit kept in your work vehicle will come in handy

Minimal items inside: Avoid purses or satchels ▫Use “fanny packs” or hip bags Use a clipboard ▫Provides a writing surface which is not the client’s furniture

Levels of PPE PPE ranges from minimal ▫Uniform with closed toed shoes To moderate ▫Tyvek boot covers and pants ▫Permethrin-treated uniform To extreme ▫Full Tyvek suit and boot covers

During the inspection: If no infestation is suspected, or a very low-level, shoe covers can be worn

During the inspection: Minimize physical contact with surroundings ▫If an infestation is suspected or it is necessary to move a client or their items, a disposable Tyvek suit can be worn

During the inspection Begin inspection from outside of the home

During the inspection: Observe your surroundings ▫Cluttered units make it more difficult to detect infestations

During the inspection: Clients scratching, complaining of itching, mentioning insects/bugs/mites ▫Red Flags:  Smashed bed bugs on the wall  Clients bites

Post-inspection self-inspection: Before entering your vehicle, check your clothing! If Tyvek or boot covers worn, remove inside-out and place in trash bag or Ziploc bag

Post-inspection protection: Clean items brought into office with disinfecting wipes or rubbing alcohol ▫Bed bug eggs are very tiny and sticky, bugs mobile ▫Pay particular attention to shoes/footwear if Tyvek shoe covers not worn Steri-Fab

Post-inspection Send clothing items worn on inspection to be professionally cleaned/dried ▫Agencies will typically provide this service or uniform service ▫It is a courtesy to notify the uniform cleaning service of bed bug contamination or if permethrin was used to treat the clothing If no washer or dryer available, the county should provide an in-house heater

So, I brought bed bugs home… After a bed bug call, entered county vehicle ▫Tyvek boot covers were used and disposed of in a sealed bag No washer/dryer or heat treatment unit available Went home immediately to shower and change THIS WAS A VERY BAD IDEA!

What I should have done… THEN

But since I didn’t… Bites received that night CimexTek hired ▫Two dogs, Max and Molly ▫Rescue dogs No live bed bugs found Cost was $175

In conclusion: Be aware of your surroundings! Don’t underestimate bed bugs Your personal safety is paramount

Thank you!