First responders such as paramedics and firefighters are exposed to different kind of dangers during the course of exercising their duties. In recent times bed bugs have become part of the dangers first responders face on a daily basis.

Recent times have seen Bed bugs become the new comeback kings. Their rapid rise has grown unnoticed over the years with their exploding population a mystery to many. Their unpopular fame is getting rapid and that means first responders are likely to encounter buildings and patients infected with the bugs. Even workstations can be compromised by these insects.

Crawlers and hitchhikers
The increase in population, as well as the need for mobility, are part of the reasons why bed bugs are everywhere. The can hitchhike with easy and infiltrate homes, hotels, restaurants, buildings, offices, fire stations and so on. They are one of the most excellent hitchhikers you can ever find as they can easily hold on to fabrics, shoelaces, and bags till they get to their destination.

A cool environment is the kind of favorable conditions bed bugs thrives on. When there is an increase in heat and carbon dioxide often by the entrance of humans to a room, these bloodsuckers come to life. They like their prey stationary so they can easily get a free blood meal. They use anticoagulant and aesthetic to make their bites painless.

Evasive and elusive
These sneaky suckers know how to hide in and around workstations. They often seek out places that are cool and close to humans. Furniture, beds, mattresses and smallest cracks and crevices are places where bed bugs can easily hide, breed and multiply without detection. One has to be a keen observer to detect the sneaky bloodsuckers. With the use of a flashlight, you can search common places of hiding to look for signs of bed bugs. Fecal stains, blood stains, small white eggs, skins and exoskeleton shells, are the giveaway signs to look for.

Preventive measures can be implemented to keep bed bugs out of first responder’s station and vehicles. The following preventive strategy can be of help.

• Develop and implement standard operating procedures for attending to patients and buildings with beg bugs infestation
• Isolate equipment and clothing after exposure to patients and buildings with bed bugs
• Seal bags, clothing, and uniforms on exposure in plastic bags and wash immediately with hot water
• Do a thorough sweep of the station regularly to detect bed bugs
• Vacuum and clean sleeping quarters and offices regularly and dispose of the contents in an airtight plastic bag.
• Use casings for mattresses and box springs to reduce hiding spots for bed bugs.

Do not panic at the sight of bed bugs in your workstation. You just need to take a swift action in eradicating them. It can be said that the sudden rise of bed bugs is related to their resistance to weak modern-day pesticides. In getting rid of bed bugs in first responders station, you’ll need a potent solution for all your bed bugs needs.

You can trust LayerOne’s Bed Bug Eliminating Mattress and Box Spring Encasements. They provide Arthroshield™ protection on all six sides of your mattress and/or boxspring. While LayerOne’s Bed Bug Eliminating ArthroPad acts as a barrier functioning where the majority of bed bugs travel – between the mattress and box springs.