Bed bugs are six-legged insects that feed on our blood while we sleep.  They are flat, oval-shaped, and about 1/4 inches in length.  Bed bugs like to hide in the cracks and crevices of our homes and hotels/motels.  They are found in the creases of mattresses, under bed frames and nightstands, behind wall-mounted headboards and moldings just above the floor, and in light switches and alarm clocks.

Bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, but their large red welts on our bodies could cause intense scratching which could lead to infection.

Helpful Information:

• Bed Bugs (ISDH)
• Bed Bug Brochure (ISDH)
• Bed Bugs (CDC)
• CDC Health Advisory: Health Concerns about Misuse of Pesticides for Bed Bug Control
• Bed Bugs (EPA)
• Bed Bug Information Clearinghouse (EPA)
• Bed Bugs (Purdue University)
• Bed Bug Integrated Pest Management (Purdue University)
• Let’s Beat the Bug! (University of Minnesota)
• Non-Chemical Bed Bug Management (Virginia Tech)
• Bed Bugs (University of Kentucky)
• TACKLING BED BUGS: A Starter Guide for Local Governments
• All Things Bed Bugs (NPMA)
• How to Hire a Pest Management Operator for Bed Bugs (Midwest Pesticide Action Center)
• Bed Bugs (Pest Helper)
• Bed Bug Article (Dr. Tim Gibb, Purdue Extension)
• How to Get Bed Bugs Out of Your Belongings (Cornell University)
• Bed Bug Field Guide App for iPhone/Android (Pest Control Technology/Ohio State University)
• Bed Bug Poster (Stop Pests/NE IPM Center)

Day Cares & Schools:

• School Guidance on Bed Bugs (ISDH)
• Bed Bug Action Plan for Schools (Virginia Tech)
• Bed Bugs in Schools and Child Cares (Midwest Pesticide Action Center)
• Guidelines for Bed Bug Response in a School Setting (Cuyhoga County Bed Bug Task Force)

Group Homes & Shelters:

• Guidelines for Prevention & Management of Bed Bugs in Shelters & Group Facilities (Cornell University)
• Bed Bug Action Plan for Shelters (Virginia Tech)

Hotels & Motels:

• Inspecting Your Hotel Room for Bed Bugs (University of Minnesota)
• Bed Bug Action Plan for Hotels (Virginia Tech)
• The Bed Bug Registry

Multi-Family Housing:

• Bed Bug Info for Multi-Family Property Owners & Managers (National Apartment Association)
• Bed Bug Action Plan for Apartments (Virginia Tech)
• Bed Bug Checklist for Rental Property Managers & Owners [En español] (Midwest Pesticide Action Center)
• Bed Bug Checklist for Tenants [En español] (Midwest Pesticide Action Center)

Prevention Tips for Home Health Care & Social Workers & Other Visitors:

• Bed Bug Action Plan for Home Health Care & Social Workers (Virginia Tech)
• Bed Bug Guidelines for Social Service Providers (University of Minnesota)
• Prevention Tips for Visitors to Bed Bug-Infested Homes (FWACDOH)

Translated Information:

• About Bed Bugs [Burmese] (ISDH)
• Bed Bug Fact Sheets [En español] (Virginia Tech)
• Bed Bug Prevention & Control Video Translated into Arabic, Hmong, Karen, Somali, and Spanish (University of Minnesota)
• Bed Bug Brochure [Burmese] (FWACDOH)