What are Bed Bugs? 

 Bed bugs are small, flat, wingless bugs. They are reddish brown in color when they are adults. They go through several life cycle stages to reach adulthood. Bed bugs do not fly, instead they stay near beds and usually feed at night. The adult bed bug can be seen with the naked eye,  while the nymph stages are roughly the same size as a letter on a penny. 

---

How do Bed Bugs Spread?

They are great hitchhikers and will sneak into luggage, used furniture, clothing, and other belongings. When any of these items are introduced to a location that has an infestation they can grab hold and travel back home with you. Unfortunately, bed bugs can last long periods of time without feeding. This can make it difficult to know if they are present at a given time and difficult to get rid of. 

---

Signs of an Infestation

Infestations can usually be identified by finding bed bug bite marks on your body. It is nearly impossible to know that a location has bed bugs based only on a bed bug bite due to these looking similar to other bug bites. If you also observe live bed bugs on sheets, mattresses, floor, or nearby furniture this can be an indication that you may have an infestation. 

You may also see the skin casts (bed bugs shed their skin when they go to the next life cycle), eggs, or blood stains on the seam of the mattress or on sheets. 

---

Health Effects

Bed bugs are NOT known to spread disease. They will feed on the blood of their victim. 
The bite from a bed bug can affect each person differently. This can be anywhere from no reaction to serious allergic reaction with itchy, red, welts that appear one to several days after the bite occurs. This is similar to a mosquito bite. 

Some occasions a secondary infection can occur from scratching the bite and may require medical attention. 

How to Remove Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are very difficult pests to fully eliminate. 
Different types of treatment techniques may include:

• Heat treatment

• Chemical treatment

• Steam treatment

• Bed bug trained dog

A pest control company should be used to effectively eliminate an infestation. 

Things that you can do:

• Declutter:  this will help to eliminate locations where the bedbugs can hide.

• Vacuuming: a vacuum is used to physically remove insects from infested areas, make sure to empty the vacuum into a garbage outside. 

• Washing in high heat: washing clothes, sheets, and blankets in high heat will help to kill any bed bugs still lingering on these items. 

---

 What to Do if You are Renting

If you are renting and you think that you have bed bugs, you should notify the property owner as soon as possible. Document all conversations that were had with the property owner. Please be patient, it may take more than one treatment to remove the bed bugs. It will be important for the tenant to declutter the rental to prevent any hiding spots for the bed bugs. 
If you find that the property owner is not responding after you have discussed the problem with them, then you can place a formal complaint with DATCP.  Some helpful links in regards to renting can be found below:

Resources

EPA top 10 ways to prevent of control Bed bugs

DATCP Bed bugs in WI

DATCP Products for bed bug control

CDC Bed bugs

Bed Bug Frequently Asked Questions

Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Bed Bugs in Shelters and Group Living Facilities

Strategies to Control Bed Bugs: EPA

---

Questions and Resources

Do you have questions about our Environmental Health Program in Sheboygan County? 
Contact us at (920) 459-3207 or email at environmental.health@sheboygancounty.com. 

 

3/13/2025