Bed bugs are not exclusive to hot and humid climates. They can survive even in colder states like Alaska. Bed bugs are common in the rural areas of Alaska, where pest control is limited, and in tourist hubs like Anchorage and Fairbanks. Protect your home by learning about bed bugs, treatment options, and prevention. Here’s everything you need to know about bed bugs in Alaska.
What Bed Bugs Look Like in Alaska
In Alaska, bed bugs look like those found in other regions. They are small reddish-brown insects with flat, oval-shaped bodies, enabling them to hide in tiny cracks and crevices. After feeding on blood, their bodies swell and become redder.
The species commonly found in this area is Cimex lectularius. They are typically found in beds; however, bed bugs also hide in couches, clothing, and gaps in walls or flooring.
- Adults: No bigger than an apple seed, their bodies are oval and reddish-brown, and plump up after feeding.
- Nymphs: Smaller, but similar to adult bed bugs, the immature nymphs are translucent, light tan in color, and molt five times before reaching maturity.
- Eggs: Bed bug eggs are very small, about the size of a pinhead, white, and often found in clusters along the seams or crevices of mattresses and furniture.
Signs of Bed Bugs
Photo Credit: NY State IPM Program at Cornell University / Flickr / CC BY 2.0
Bed bugs survive by feeding on blood. Despite their visible size, they are adept at hiding, usually emerging to bite sleeping individuals. While they prefer darkness, leaving the light on does not deter them. Although they can be confused with other insects that look like bed bugs, here’s what you should watch out for:
- Small blood stains on your sheets or pillowcases
- Dark or rusty spots from bed bug excrement on bedding or furniture
- Shed skins in areas where bed bugs hide
- Sweet, musty odor from the pheromones bed bugs emit
- Live or dead bugs that indicate they’ve gotten into your home
How to Check for Bed Bugs
Bed bugs aren’t attracted to dirt or grime, and they can invade even the cleanest homes. They’re opportunistic parasites that are excellent hitchhikers, clinging to clothes, luggage, and second-hand items, easily going unnoticed if you’re not looking for them. Take the following steps to check for bed bugs:
- Use a flashlight to look in dark areas for signs of bed bugs.
- Drag a credit card or something similar in gaps to find bed bugs or their eggs.
- Wear disposable gloves to prevent bed bugs from getting on your hands.
- Have a magnifying glass to spot the tiny eggs or check suspicious stains.
- Keep a small mirror handy to look at hard-to-reach areas in furniture.
How Do You Kill Bed Bugs In Alaska?
While it’s best to have a professional bed bug service get rid of bed bugs, pest control can be difficult to get in the rural areas of Alaska. If you can’t hire a pest control company, there are home remedies to get rid of bed bugs, although they may not completely eliminate an infestation.
Here are steps you can take to battle bed bugs in your home:
- Declutter: Removing clutter can eliminate hiding spots for bed bugs and make them easier to spot and treat.
- Vacuum: Use a vacuum to remove bed bugs, focusing on seams and crevices of furniture and mattresses. (A crevice tool works best for this job.) Immediately seal the vacuum contents in a plastic bag before disposing in an outside garbage can.
- Steam clean: The high heat of a steam cleaner can kill bed bugs and their eggs. Move slowly, about 1 to 2.5 inches per second, to eliminate the pests effectively.
- Laundry: Wash bedding, clothing, and other fabric items in hot water (125 degrees or more) and dry on high heat to kill bed bugs and their eggs.
- Diatomaceous earth: A powder made from fossilized marine phytoplankton, diatomaceous earth will kill bed bugs, but not their eggs. Sprinkle it along the wall behind the bed frame and along baseboards.
- Vinegar: While vinegar will kill bed bugs on contact, it won’t kill the bed bugs you don’t see or their eggs.
- Mattress encasements: Cover your mattress and box spring with bed bug-proof mattress covers. They will trap any bed bugs inside, killing them, and prevent new ones from getting in.
- Essential oils: Some essential oils can repel bed bugs, like cinnamon oil or clove oil, however, they won’t eliminate an infestation.
- Freezing: Bed bugs can’t survive in the cold, so take advantage of the cold Alaskan winters. Placing items like furniture outside for a few days when temperatures are below 23 degrees can kill bed bugs.
Home Remedies for Bed Bugs to Avoid
When trying to get rid of bed bugs on your own, it’s best to act quickly and not waste time or money on ineffective and possibly dangerous home remedies. Here are DIY options that you should avoid using to treat bed bugs.
- Borax: Despite its effectiveness against other pests, borax does not kill bed bugs.
- Bug bombs: Foggers and bug bombs don’t work on bed bugs, mainly because the insecticide can’t reach all the places these pests can hide. Moreover, they can be harmful to people and pets.
- Unapproved pesticides: Using the wrong pesticides can be ineffective and dangerous. Always use products that are specifically for bed bugs, but be aware that some bed bugs have become pesticide-resistant.
- Bleach: Although bleach can kill bed bugs on contact, it’s not recommended. Bleach can induce reactions in some people whether inhaled or when in contact with your skin. Also, bleach can damage fabric items.
- Flammable materials: Don’t use kerosene, gasoline, or alcohol to kill bed bugs. Not only are they ineffective, but they have the potential to cause a fire.
Alaska Bed Bug Laws
There are laws in Alaska that specifically address pest infestations, including bed bugs, in rental homes. Under Alaska law (AS 34.03.100), landlords are obligated to provide “fit and habitable” properties and to address any issues affecting these conditions.
You can sue a landlord in Alaska for bed bugs if he does not provide you with such conditions, but you will likely only be able to do so if you can prove that you were not responsible for the creatures in the first place. If you face problems with a landlord violating these regulations, verify whether bed bug control is covered on your lease.
Before signing your lease, check to see that pest control, including bed bugs, is covered. Once you have moved into a rental, there is likely no way to prove where the bed bugs came from or who is responsible, so tenants will likely be responsible for controlling bed bugs in their own apartment or rental unit.
Here are the key points to keep in mind:
- Landlord’s responsibility: Landlords in Alaska face fines unless they ensure their rental properties are habitable, which includes taking care of bed bug infestations before tenants move in.
- Tenant’s responsibility: Tenants must allow for inspections and treatments, as well as notify landlords right away if they believe there may be a bed bug infestation.
- Written notice: Landlords must notify renters in writing of any bed bug infestations in the building or rental unit, together with a description of each party’s rights and obligations.
- Entry for inspection/treatment: Landlords can enter a residence to inspect and treat bed bugs in rental properties, but they are required to give renters at least 24 hours notice.
- Retaliation protection: Alaskan tenants are legally protected from retaliation from landlords if they report bed bug infestations.
Bed Bugs In Hotels
Bed bugs are found wherever there are people. They often hitch a ride in your luggage or clothes when you stay in hotels or travel on cruise ships, making their way from there into your home. Travel hubs in Alaska, like Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, are often bustling with tourists. These places provide an ideal environment for bed bugs to spread.
When traveling, there are several precautions you can take to protect yourself from bed bugs.
- Inspect your room: Before settling into your hotel or rental, inspect the room. Use a flashlight to check the mattress, headboard, and other furniture for signs of bed bugs. Look for small blood spots, dark stains, or the bugs themselves.
- Keep luggage off the floor: Bed bugs are skilled climbers. To prevent them from climbing into your luggage, use a luggage rack. Avoid placing your luggage on the bed or upholstered furniture.
- Use sealable bags: Consider using sealable plastic bags for your clothes and personal items to prevent bed bugs from getting inside.
- Do laundry quickly: After your trip, wash all your clothes in hot water and dry them on high heat. The heat will kill any bed bugs and eggs. Also, inspect and vacuum your luggage to catch bed bugs that may have hitched a ride.
Note: If you find bed bugs during your inspection, notify the management immediately.
FAQ: Bed Bugs
Can You Get Bed Bugs in Your Car?
Yes, while it’s uncommon, bed bugs can infest your car. If you find bed bugs, they likely came from someone or something that had contact with them and transferred them into your vehicle. This could also indicate that they may have infiltrated your home.
How Did I Get Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs can be brought into homes through various means, including luggage, couches and used furniture, or by visiting infested places. They can easily travel from place to place and infest areas where they have easy access to people. Cleanliness does not necessarily prevent bed bugs as they are attracted to blood, not dirt.
Can Bed Bugs Live in the Bathroom?
Yes, bed bugs can live in a bathroom, but it’s not common. These pests prefer areas where they have easy access to a blood meal, which is why you’ll find them in beds and couches. However, if you find bed bugs in your bathroom, you might have an infestation in your home.
When to Call a Pro
If your Alaskan home has been invaded by bed bugs and DIY treatments aren’t ridding you of the infestation, it’s time to call in a local bed bug professional. They have the equipment and skills to eliminate an infestation effectively and save you from sleepless nights when those bed bugs bite.
Main Image Credits:
Background: John Pennell / Canva Pro / License
Bed bug: Dmitry Bezrukov / Canva Pro / License
