Battling bed bugs

PACKWOOD, IOWA -- Bed bugs have always been annoying pests lurking in unlikely mattresses around the country.

They travel in your suitcases, clothes and bedding, and Jefferson County Health officials said they can remain there for months.

KTVO spoke to one Packwood native about her struggle to get rid of them.

Brenda Ryan has been dealing with bed bugs infesting her home for the past month. She says she noticed them after she let a friend move in for awhile with his furniture. When he left, she started noticing the red bites on her body and a doctor confirmed they were bed bug bites.

She says the pest have not only taken over her home but will also take a bite out of her checkbook.

"I'm living paycheck to paycheck for my husband and we can't afford to end up getting a pesticide service out here," said Ryan. "We had an estimate done and depending on the size of your house, it can run from $600-$1,000."

She says the pests have also attacked her pets.

"The dogs itch like crazy. My male dog has been itching his one paw because they got him inside of his pads. He's been licking his one paw really bad."

Ryan says the pests have gotten into her furniture, bedding, and even her hair.

She's saving up for an exterminator in order to get them out of her house. But, she wanted to share her struggle with KTVO so that others would be informed.

To get some more insight on how to prevent them, we spoke to officials within the Jefferson County Public Health Department. They said the bugs feed off of blood and the only way to get rid of them is through a professional extermination service. They also warned against buying clothes and bedding at garage sales.

Then we contacted Terminix. Here are some of the highlights of their FAQ sheet.

1. Bedbugs are nocturnal. By day, they hide in cracks and crevices near beds and furniture and emerge at night to feed while their victims sleep. They are usually found in headboards, box springs, and bed frames but will also harbor in nightstands, lamps, dressers, etc. near the bed.

2. Bites are painless because of chemicals in the saliva that numb the feeding site and prevent the blood from clotting.

3. Bed bugs are difficult to catch while eating but signs of infestation include blood stains, their dark colored e excrement, a strong musty odor, and raised itchy areas similar to mosquito bites.

4. To prevent and protect yourself against them, wash clothing that may have been in contact with bed bugs with warm water immediately, never pick up mattresses or furniture left on the curbside, and quarantine infested items. Moving them within the home can spread the problem.