Connections Area Agency on Aging holding survey on bed bugs

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (KCAU) — The Connections Area Agency on Aging has partnered with other community partners to gain awareness of the impact of bed bugs.

Connections AAA had partnered with the SWIA Mental Health and Disability Region previously to test a pilot program to learn the cost of eradication and creating a healthy home.

Bed bugs impact families more than just financially. According to a release, there are mental wellness effects such as anxiety, sleep deprivation, depression, and lack of access to needed support in the home or community due to the presence of bed bugs. However, unlike most public health pests, bed bugs are not known to transmit or spread disease.

Bed bugs can impact multiple areas of the community such as doctors’ offices, movie theaters, shopping centers, hotels, hospitals, and grocery stores.

Connections AAA and Caring for Our Community Partners have created a survey to gather information on the impact of bed bugs on the community.

To access the survey, you can follow this link or contact Connections AAA at 1-800-432-9209

Some proactive ways to prevent bed bugs are:

• Reduce the number of hiding places. Clean up clutter.
• Regularly wash and heat-dry your bed sheets, blankets, bedspreads, and any clothing that touches the floor.
• Check secondhand furniture, beds, and couches for any signs of bed bug infestation before bringing them home.
• Be watchful when using shared laundry facilities. Transport items to be washed in plastic bags (if you have an active infestation, use a new bag for the journey home). Remove from the dryer directly into the bag and fold at home. (A dryer on high heat can kill bed bugs.)
• Use a protective cover that encases mattresses and box springs to eliminate many hiding spots.
• When traveling look at hotel reviews or check the bed bug reports website for any reports made
• When traveling inspect your room and bed for any signs of bed bugs and place luggage on non-upholstery areas such as the tile floor or luggage rack

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