The growing bug problem in the U.S. has yet to reach the beds of Central Michigan University students living on campus, according to Residence Life officials.

“We have had concerns that there might be a problem with bedbugs in various locations throughout campus this school year,” said Bob Andrews, CMU pest management specialist. “Fortunately, none of them have proven to have bedbugs.”

Bedbug Information

Appearance: •Reddish brown, oval insects •About 3/16-inch or size of an apple seed

Common habitats: •Mattress seams •Sheets •Furniture •Behind baseboards •Electrical outlet plates •Picture frames

Bites: •Most commonly on the upper body •May cause itching •Appears in red welts or swelling •Not immediately obvious

How to detect: People sometimes roll onto bedbugs while they sleep, resulting in bloodstains upon the sheets. Live bedbugs leave clusters of dark brown or black spots of dried excrement on infested surfaces. Bedbugs also exude a subtle, sweet, musty odor.

Though bedbugs have not been an issue for nearly 60 years, they are making a resurgence. Biology chairman Stephen Roberts said it is not caused by a lack of cleanliness.

Cimex lectularius, the species infesting areas in Michigan and nationwide, was nearly wiped out in North America, Roberts said.

“Pesticides like DDT, which was very effective in killing bedbugs is no longer used,” Roberts said. “The problem was DDT was detrimental to non-target species like birds. That is why the pesticide is banned.”

Bedbugs are good hitchhikers and students moving on campus need to examine their items for the insects, Roberts said.

Bedbugs often travel from one locale to another in suitcases and backpacks, he said. They then hide out until night and feed when the host is in deep sleep.

“Feeding takes place late at night, early morning,” Roberts said. “Bedbug bites have an anticoagulant and aesthetic to keep the blood flowing and not disturb the host while they are feeding.”

Joan Schmidt, associate director of Residence Life, said she is working with Andrews to ensure CMU remains bedbug-free.

Andrews makes recommendations to Schmidt when there is a pest problem in residence halls and has received specific training in bedbug and other pest concerns. He said he has not encountered any positive cases of the “biting vermin” at CMU.

However, some students have made calls about the pest, Andrews said, as have some community members.

“We have had several reports from folks within the community,” said Mari Pat Terpening, personal health and communicable disease supervisor for the Central Michigan District Health Department. “The frequency of reports is much less in this area then those in other parts of the state and country.”

There have been numerous outbreaks reported in Detroit and southern Michigan over the past couple of years, she said.

Students can reduce the risk by reducing clutter in their room, Andrews said, and not jamming the closet and dresser too full of clothes.

Residence Life checks empty rooms before students move in. Roberts said the pest leave signs of infestation easily seen, such as reddish brown spots left from blood-sucking and defecation.

Andrews said if bedbugs are found in a room, they have various pest management methods to eliminate the problem.

“We replace the mattress with a new one in a bedbug-proof encasement, treat the room numerous times and monitor the room to assure the problem is resolved,” Andrews said.

More information on the statewide bedbug issue can be found at www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.