Bad News for Our Neighbors in the North

Oklahoma residents in Comanche County are unfortunately dealing with unwanted guests in the area.  Those unwanted guests are, as you probably guessed, bed bugs.  This story goes to show that an infestation or outbreak can occur anywhere at any time.  We hope residents are taking the right steps for containment and removal so this group of pests don’t make their way into Texas.  Read more about the outbreak in the story below.

Health officials in southwest Oklahoma warning residents of bed bug outbreak

LAWTON, Okla. – The Comanche County Health Department is warning residents of a bed bug outbreak in the area.

The health department said they are receiving at least two to three calls per day about bed bugs in Comanche County, KSWO reports.

Due to the increase, the health department wants residents to know how to prevent bed bugs from spreading.

The small, flat, bugs are reddish-brown bugs are the size of an apple seed.

The insects can hide almost anywhere inside your home.

“They can get into your electrical sockets, they can get into lamp shades, they can get into your curtains,” Health Specialist Zachary Foley told KSWO.

Experts expect the bed bug problem to get worse as the holiday travel season approaches.

The tiny bugs can get inside your luggage, purse, or coat.

“It’s a good idea to have a flash light when you go into a hotel room so you can check all the nooks and crannies, check behind the mattresses,” said Foley.

Health experts told KSWO that the tiny critters crave blood, but can go almost nine months without feeding on anyone.

Once a bed bug bites you, it may cause itching and loss of sleep.

If your home does become infested, heat will kill them.

There are professionals who will treat your home, but it can take 8 to 12 hours to work.

 

Article sourced from: http://kfor.com/2016/11/22/health-officials-in-southwest-oklahoma-warning-residents-of-bed-bug-outbreak/