Bed Bugs in Long Term Care Facilities
Bed Bugs 101: A Long-Term Care Professional's Guide to Recognition and Prevention
Source: Bed Bugs 101 for Long Term Care Professionals (PDF)
Bed bugs reproduce quickly, so it's critical to detect and treat infestations early. Below are a few tips for spotting evidence of a budding bed bug problem and what you can do to help stop it.
"Spotting" The Signs
- Bed bugs are typically in hiding during in the daytime, so it's difficult to spot them
- Instead, look for tiny, rust-colored stains they leave behind on:
- Mattress tags and seams
- Ceilings
- Under seat cushions
- Behind headboards (only need to inspect behind these every 3-4 mos.)
- Keep an eye out for potential hiding places (buckling wallpaper or carpet) or conditions that attract bed bugs like heat or moisture
- Report such issues to maintenance immediately
If Traces of Bed Bugs are Found:
DO NOT:
- Disturb the room further (leaving the "scene" untouched helps Orkin diagnose the problem)
- Take any items out of the room
DO:
- Take the room out of service and quarantine it
- If the room is occupied, work with management to move residents to a new room
- Contact Orkin immediately to:
- inspect the infested room
- pre-treat room to which any residents are to be moved
If Orkin Inspection Confirms Bed Bugs:
- Prepare the designated rooms for service according to Orkin's Bed Bug Service Preparation Checklist, which includes:
- Pulling furniture into center of room and turning over
- Removing or loosening all items attached to the walls
- Loosening carpet around the perimeter of each room
- Vacuuming the mattress, box springs and carpets along baseboards