Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/123777
++++++++++++++++++++++++ + +++ +HEALTHY OFFICES U +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Bed Bugs — Travelers and Business Owners Beware! By Jennifer Savastino W for business and personal reasons, we assume our accommodations are clean and pest-free. We choose hotels that have high ratings for customer service and cleanliness. Unfortunately, there is one pest out there that will invade even the most luxurious of establishments. Bed bugs are showing up everywhere these days. Most hotel owners are very proactive and work hard to ensure that bed bugs are not sharing your hotel room. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent bed bugs. As a traveler, however, you can take proactive measures to lower your risk of bringing bed bugs back with you. Nothing is 100% guaranteed, but being aware of the potential problem and understanding how t hese bug s sprea d is def i n itely great prevention. HEN WE TRAVEL According to a statement issued jointly in July 2010 by the Centers for Disease Control a nd Prevention a nd the Environmental Protection Agency, the exact cause of the increase in bed bugs is not known, but "experts suspect the resurgence is associated with increased resistance of bed bugs to available pesticides, greater international and domestic travel, lack of knowledge regarding control of bed bugs due to their prolonged absence, and the continuing decline or elimination of effective vector/pest control programs at state and local public health agencies." There has been an "alarming resurgence" in the beg bug population in t he United St ates, according to the statement. Bed bugs feed on the blood of humans but are not known to transmit disease. Nonetheless, they cause mental, physical and economic angst wherever they appear. Adult bed bugs are flat insects slightly smaller than an apple seed and about the same in color and shape. Fecal material or partially digested blood will show up as either red or black spots. Don't waste time looking for eggs because they are very small and almost invisible to the untrained eye. Here are some helpful tips and things to be mindful of when traveling: + Put all your belongings inside sealed, clear plastic bags before putting them into your suitcases. + Pack a flashlight for your trip to use for an inspection. + DO NOT put luggage or other personal belongings on the bed when arriving in your guest room(s) until the inspection is complete. Rather, hang clothing that requires hanging and use the luggage rack or a desk to rest suitcases before opening them. + Using your flashlight, inspect the bed (mattress and box springs) by removing all linens from the bed. You will be looking for signs of bed bugs as earlier described in this article. The most likely places signs of bed bugs will show up will be under or around the "piping" and stitching of the mattress, box spring, and bedframe. + If you are fortunate (or unfortunate) to find signs of bed bugs, go immediately to the check-in desk (WITH YOUR LUGGAGE) to report your findings, and ask for another room as far as possible from the one you were first checked into.