Bedbugs may be infesting the beds in local dormitories at Wake Forest University and Catawba College, but they have not been reported at Winston- Salem State.
The tiny insects were last seen in large numbers before World War II, but have been enjoying a worldwide resurgence recently.
Cimex lectularius, commonly known as “bedbugs” or the “hitchhiking bug,” are parasitic insects that consume the blood of warm-blooded animals for nourishment and survival.
These small brownish red insects are usually found in hotels, dorms and anywhere their paper-thin body can fit. Their residences include mattresses, bags, suitcases, rugs and clothing.
According to expert exterminators, a big reason for the recent increase in bedbugs in the United States is that people are traveling more. The bugs can hitch a ride on luggage, for example, when students travel from place to place, including hotels and rental properties. The bugs travel easily because their small sticky eggs can attach to clothing or get in a bag and lay eggs.
“Bedbugs are a big nuisance and very problematic,” said Minor Barnette, the environment health supervisor at Forsyth Health Center.
Like ticks and mosquitoes, bedbugs drink blood; however, they are not known to spread diseases.
“After a bedbug bites individuals and consumes their blood, a small red bump will appear. The bump can become infected if too much scratching occurs and could possibly cause an allergic reaction or Anaphylactic shock in some individuals,” Barnette said.
According to an MSNBC report, Catawba College in Salisbury evacuated about 120 students from residence halls while exterminators dealt with an outbreak of the blood-sucking critters.
The report stated before World War II, bedbug infestations were common in the United States, but they were virtually eradicated through improvements in hygiene and the widespread use of DDT in the 1940s and 1950s.
DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is one of the most well known synthetic pesticides.
David Ford, the dormitory supervisor for Wilson Hall at WSSU, said there has not been any report of bedbugs in Wilson Hall or on campus.
“If someone were to come and tell me about a bedbug infestation I would contact Peter Blutreich, the assistant director of housing for maintenance and housekeeping. He’d contact the exterminators, and they would go through protocols to make sure the room and mattress are clean and provide the student with instructions on how to get rid of the bedbugs as well,” Ford said.
Forsyth County reported that Wake Forest Uninversity dormitories had been experiencing a bedbug problem.
According to WFU’s residence life and housing web site, all rooms identified as having evidence of bed bugs have been treated by conventional treatments.
Also, WFU has employed a second company to assist with the specialized heat treatment process to kill the bedbugs.
Heat treatment is used to kill bed bugs and other insects. The process heats the infested room to 130 degrees Fahrenheit that eradicates all stages in the insect’s life cycle.
“In order to kill bedbugs, it is very important to get them wet with pesticides or use heat treatment as soon as possible because bedbugs reproduce extremely quickly.
“One female can lay between three to 500 eggs every seven to 10 days so a few bedbugs can lead to thousands in no time,” Barnette said.
Checking luggage and clothing for bedbugs can help to prevent bedbugs infestations.
“It is very important to vacuum your carpets and rugs weekly; change bed sheets often; and examine mattresses, bedsprings, and headboards thoroughly for bedbugs. If there are any signs of an infestation, call your local pest control immediately,” Barnette said.
NC State University reported three separate cases of bed bugs in one of the dorms. According to Mick Kulikowski, a media contact at NC State, all rooms have been treated and officials are working on some protocols and tips to deal with possible future cases.
UNC, Duke, and St. Augustine’s reported no issues with bed bugs. UNC officials say the conduct regular inspections.
High Point University official Gail Tuttle said that the private institution does not have a bedbug problem.
“There is no need to take precaution because we don’t have an {bedbug] issue,” said Tuttle vice president for student affairs