{"id":2896,"date":"2019-05-01T14:12:51","date_gmt":"2019-05-01T14:12:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wp-www-bedbugbbq-com.msgsndr.com\/?p=2896"},"modified":"2019-05-01T14:12:51","modified_gmt":"2019-05-01T14:12:51","slug":"bed-bugs-in-nursing-homes-the-5-ws","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bedbugbbq.com\/bed-bugs-in-nursing-homes-the-5-ws\/","title":{"rendered":"Bed Bugs in Nursing Homes: The 5 W’s"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the last couple of years, the media has been flooded with reports of <\/span>wide-spread bed bug infestations<\/span><\/a>, ranging from schools, courtrooms, libraries, and more recently, nursing homes, senior living facilities, and <\/span>assisted living homes.<\/span><\/a> Staff of <\/span>nursing homes<\/span><\/a> have been alarming the general public through social media outlets and news reports about their growing concern for the safety of the residents and patients. Many report that there are extensive use of chemical treatments, but have a lack of success and is creating negative living experiences for its visitors and residents. Although bed bugs are not known to carry any diseases, they can be irritating, which can lead to both mental and physical harm.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are bed bugs?<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/a>Lurking in the seams of bed mattresses and in the cracks and crevices within furniture, bed bugs are one of the most difficult pests to eradicate. Only the size of an apple seed, bed bugs stay hidden until their host is close and still enough, which most of the time is when they are asleep. Every 3-4 days they will come out and feed on their host for 5 minutes, then retreat back to their hiding spot where they will digest or if they are a female, lay eggs. Those eggs will eventually<\/span> grow into nymphs then adult bed bugs<\/span><\/a> within seven weeks. Thankfully, these pests are not known to carry any diseases, but can be quite a nuisance. Also, <\/span>bed bug bite reactions<\/span><\/a> are not consistent. Some people will develop small to medium red welts and others won’t have a reaction at all. Because of the anesthetic in their saliva, many people don’t know they are being bitten at all. This often leads to people not even knowing they have bed bugs until its a full blown infestation!<\/span><\/p>\n

Who is affected by bed bugs in nursing homes?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Ultimately everyone that is associated with the assisted living facilities is affected, due to the fact that bed bugs are infamous hitchhikers that play no bias to its victims. If a residential home has bed bugs, everyone that comes into the home is affected or has a chance to come in contact with them. Unfortunately, the residents are the ones who are subjected to the bed bugs nightly feeding sessions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where would bed bugs be hiding in nursing homes? <\/span><\/h3>\n

If there was a bed bug infestation in the nursing home, they might be in the following locations:<\/span><\/p>\n