Bed Bugs Winning?

Advice for the Home Gardener from the Help Desk of the
UC Master Gardener Program in Contra Costa County

Updated Situation:  Bed bug encounters are on the rise in California. In response, the UC Statewide IPM Program is providing all UC Master Gardener programs with a preserved bed bug lifecycle mount in resin for education and outreach. It will be available soon at the Concord Help Desk (location below) to show our interested gardeners.

Bed Bug Facts:  To refresh your memory about bed bugs, here are some bed bug facts:

• The Help Desk has (formerly real live) bed bugs encased in a mount for close-up viewing.
  Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are not microscopic. While small, you can see all life stages with the naked eye.
• Both nymphs (immatures) and adults only feed on blood and must have a blood meal in order to develop and survive.
• Bed bugs do not jump or fly but they are good hitchhikers.
• Bed bugs generally feed at night and typically hide in dark cracks and crevices during the day.
• Common hiding places are typically located within 6 feet from areas where humans sleep or rest including box springs, along mattress seams, behind headboards, or inside furniture and upholstery.
• There are several ways to prevent bed bug infestations in your home.
• When traveling, check for bed bugs in your hotel room. Inspect your luggage before leaving, and wash and dry all your clothing when you get home.
• If you purchase second-hand furniture, thoroughly inspect the item for bed bugs before bringing it into your home.
  
  Here are some UC IPM web resources on bed bugs that you might also find of interest:
• Pest Notes: Bed Bugs
• Bed Bugs Quick Tip Card (English) and Chinches de Cama (Spanish)
  
  YouTube videos
• Don't bring bed bugs home when you travel
• How to use a bed bug detector
• How to inspect for bed bugs
  YouTube videos Spanish versions:
• Cómo saber si tiene chinches de cama
• No traiga chinches a casa al volver de viaje
• Cómo usar un detector de chinches de cama

If you have more questions, please contact us via our Help Desk or at our “Ask a Master Gardener” tables at Farmers Markets and other events. (see addresses below) 

Help Desk of the UC Master Garden Program of Contra Costa County

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Notes: Contra Costa MG's Help Desk is available almost year-round to answer your gardening questions. Except for a few holidays (e.g., last 2 weeks December), we're open every week, Monday through Thursday for walk-ins from 9:00 am to Noon at 2380 Bisso Lane, Concord, CA 94520. We can also be reached via telephone:  (925) 608-6683, email: ccmg@ucanr.edu, or on the web at  http://ccmg.ucanr.edu/Ask_Us/. MGCC Blogs can be found at http://ccmg.edu/HortCoCo/ You can also subscribe to the Biog.