Bed Bugs

About Bed Bugs:

• Bed bugs feed on blood by biting people
• They are a hitchhiking species, meaning they can easily be picked up on clothing, luggage, furniture, and other materials
• They are more common in public spaces with high human turnover like hotels, shelters, waiting areas, and public transit
• Bed bugs are very small, can hide, and can go unnoticed
• Bed bugs can be eliminated; it is best to work with a professional pest control service to control bed bugs

Signs and Symptoms of a Possible Bed Bug Infestation:

• Bites, rashes, welts and reactions can vary from person to person; bites have not been found to spread any diseases
• Finding live bugs or casings
• Small spots or stains on mattresses and box springs

For detailed instructions on how to inspect for bed bugs visit: Getting_the_Bed_Bugs_Out_Guide.pdf.

Bed Bug Identification:

MSU identifies bed bugs (part of the arthropod family) for a fee.

Learn more about identification here: Plant & Pest Diagnostics.

Bed bugs are not known to carry disease. They are not considered a threat to public health. The St. Clair County Health Department does not regulate bed bugs. The Health Department offers free bed bug prevention presentations. This educational presentation is available upon request. To schedule an educational prevention presentation, contact the Environmental Health Educator, Mollie Brown, by emailing mbrown@stclaircounty.org or by calling (810) 987-5300 ext. 1486.