Environmental Health Services

The Portsmouth Health Department’s Division of Environmental Health is responsible for administering environmental programs and services to reduce the incidence of environmental conditions which may adversely impact on the health, safety and well-being of the citizens of Portsmouth. Services include food establishments, tattoo/body piercing establishments, tourist establishments, recreational waters, marina program, private wells, onsite sewage systems, rabies control program, and environmental complaints. Enforcement of applicable city and state statues and codes occur through public education efforts as well as through legal actions. 

For more information about Environmental Health Services call (757) 393-8585, ext. 8585.

WALK-IN HOURS

  • Monday      9am-2pm
  • Wednesday 11am-3pm
  • Friday         9am-2pm

 

Fee Chart of Services
Permits Fee
Food Establishment Permit (Caterer, Group Homes, Mobile Units, Restaurants) $40.00
Food Establishment Plan Review $40.00
Temporary Food Permit (Annual) $40.00
Body Art Permit (Tattoos, Body piercing) $1,500.00
Body Art Plan Review $200.00
Pool/Spa Permit (Year-round) $75.00
Pool/Spa Permit (Seasonal) $50.00
Pools/Spa Plan Review $40.00
Hotel Permit $40.00
Hotel Plan Review $40.00
Certified Food Managers (English only) $175.00
Certified Food Managers Re-test $50.00
Food Handlers Card $15.00
Food Handler Class “off-site” – minimum of 15 participants $225.00
Certified Pool Operator (Self-Study Course) $50.00
Certified Pool Operator (Re-Test) $15.00
Freedom of Information (FOI) Request Varies
Private well only $300.00
Septic Systems Call for fee

 

FOOD SERVICE PROGRAMS

Inspection reports for all permitted food facilities throughout Virginia can be viewed at  My Health Department.

Food Establishments

In order to obtain your Health Department permit, we must determine compliance with the FDA Food Code and City of Portsmouth’s Virginia Code of Ordinances. To do so, we perform a review and approval process on specific documentation prior to a pre-opening inspection. These documents include:

    • Permit and Plan Review applications
    • Proposed menu
    • Certified food managers certificate(s)
    • A City of Portsmouth business license
    • Architectural or computer-generated floor plans (to scale) of the establishment
    • Equipment specifications
    • A Certificate of Occupancy is required for newly constructed or change of use establishments. You must contact Permits and Inspections at (757) 393-8531, if this applies. 

For additional information, call (757) 393-8585, ext. 8585. 

Mobile Food Trucks, Trailers, Push Carts and Catering Services

City of Portsmouth’s Virginia Code of Ordinances govern mobile food units, which include mobile food trucks, trailers, and push carts, are vehicles used for a variety of food preparation activities. These units and catering services must be permitted through the health department and operate daily from a commissary kitchen to facilitate food preparation, cleaning and servicing operations, food storage, and renewal of supplies. This also includes the flushing and draining of liquid waste to an approved sewerage system and water servicing equipment that is approved. All commissary kitchens must hold valid health permits through either the Virginia Department of Health or the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The vendor shall obtain written permission authorizing their use of the approved commissary and shall provide that to the health department. To promote the safe and sanitary handling of food, these mobile units and caterers are inspected, as are their commissaries. Mobile food units may be restricted to certain areas of the city due to land use and zoning requirements. 

For more information, call (757) 393-8585, ext. 8585.

Group Homes

City of Portsmouth’s Virginia Code of Ordinances governs group homes, which must be permitted through the health department. A group home is considered any private or public institutional housing facility that provides living quarters and meals to 12 or fewer recipients.

For more information, call (757) 393-8585, ext. 8585.

Temporary Food Service and Outdoor Events

Temporary permits are issued to food booths operating at a single event or celebration, such as a fair, carnival, or festival and are governed by the FDA Food Code and City of Portsmouth’s Virginia Code of Ordinances. If the food is not prepared and handled in a sanitary manner, the public’s health may be at risk. A Temporary Food Establishment application must be submitted 10 days prior to the scheduled event for review.

For more information, call (757) 393-8585, ext. 8585.

Food Service Managers Education

The FDA Food Code and City of Portsmouth’s Virginia Code of Ordinances requires all food establishments to have a food service manager to act as the Person in Charge (PIC) when in operation. A food service manager is responsible for monitoring and managing all food establishment operations and is authorized to take appropriate preventive and corrective actions. This individual is knowledgeable about foodborne disease prevention, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles, and Code requirements, and is prepared to take actions to ensure compliance. Environmental Health Services offers classes for manager certification and manager recertification throughout the year. The food service manager’s card is valid for 5 years and should be renewed prior to expiration. Click here for class information.

For more information, call (757) 393-8585, ext. 8585.

Food Handlers’ Education

City of Portsmouth’s Virginia Code of Ordinances requires a food service (handlers’) card for any person working or employed in any capacity in a food establishment. Food service cards are required prior to employment and are valid for 2 years. A food service card issued by another city may be honored. Click here for class information.

For more information, call (757) 393-8585, ext. 8585.

Foodborne Illness Investigation

“Foodborne illness in the United States is a major cause of personal distress, preventable death, and avoidable economic burden” as stated by the Food and Drug Administration. It has been estimated that up to 48 million people become ill from microorganisms in food, resulting in as many as 3,000 deaths annually. The wide range of cases of foodborne illness is due to the uncertainty about the number that goes unreported. The annual cost of foodborne illness in terms of pain and suffering, reduced productivity, and medical costs is estimated to be billions of dollars.

Environmental Health Services responds to all reports of suspected foodborne illnesses implicating food sold or served in the City of Portsmouth. Signs and symptoms vary, but common symptoms include vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. Most cases of foodborne illness last between 24-48 hours. Symptoms generally appear between 2 to 36 hours after eating the suspected food. Most cases are single cases and not associated with large outbreaks; however, many times the health department hears about outbreaks involving groups attending the same function. For additional information on foodborne illnesses go to the CDC or FDA websites. Our goals are to identify the foods responsible for the illness, collect accurate and complete information from the people involved, collect samples of the suspected food, when possible and appropriate, identify possible contributing factors, and correct the improper food handling practices that may have contributed to the illness.

When reporting a suspected foodborne illness, the following information will be needed: contact information, name and location of facility where suspected meal or food item was obtained, date and time meal consumed, onset of symptoms, description of symptoms, a 72 hour food history (to include all foods and beverages consumed in the 3 days prior to the first sign of illness), and the names and phone numbers of others that have become ill. 

To file a complaint concerning a food-related illness, visit  My Meal Detective  or call (757) 393-8585, ext. 8585.

 

Public Swimming Pools & Spas

All public pools, spas and splash parks are inspected while in operation to ensure bather safety according to rules and regulations. Environmental Health Specialists conduct tests on water samples and ensure pools are properly constructed and maintained.

Swimming pools can be the source of many diseases and injuries. The proper construction and maintenance of public swimming venues is of significant public health importance. The Portsmouth Health Department hosts annual pool seminars in the spring of each year with the goal of educating and certifying swimming pool operators. Basic knowledge of water treatment for swimming pools and the ability to perform the chemical tests necessary to maintain safe water quality are covered. The code requires that a certified pool operator manages the operation of the pool and that there be posting of water quality test results.

Recreational swimming pool/spa regulations can be found in the City of Portsmouth’s Virginia Code of Ordinances and State regulations ( 12VAC5-460 /  12VAC5-462).

Please see class schedule for pool operator certification.

For more information call (757) 393-8585, ext. 8585. 

 

Body Art Establishments

Body Art includes tattooing, permanent makeup and piercing. In the City of Portsmouth, body art establishments are required to be permitted each year and inspected on a regular basis. Body Art and Piercing Inspections are based on the City of Portsmouth’s Virginia Code of Ordinances.

For more information, call (757)393-8585 ext. 8585. 

 

Tourist Establishments

Tourist Establishments include hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, summer camps and campgrounds. These facilities are inspected to determine compliance with health and safety laws, governed by Commonwealth of Virginia Rules and Regulations, and to initiate enforcement procedures when necessary. Permits are issued annually for the lodging facility. Additional permits may be issued for on-site restaurants, continental breakfasts, swimming pools and spas. 

For more information, call (757)393-8585 ext. 8585. 

 

Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Services of the Lead Program include screening, education and environmental samples, medical and environmental case management. Because children from six months through six years of age are most susceptible to lead poisoning, the program focuses on working with physicians to provide blood lead screening for all children from six months to six years of age and in teaching contractors and property owners to make houses lead-safe before children are poisoned. 

For more information, call (757)393-8585 ext. 8585. 

 

Marina Sanitation

The Commonwealth of Virginia has sanitary regulations for marinas and boat moorings. The regulations establish minimum requirements as to adequacy of sewerage facilities serving the boat slips, as well as the people the marinas are designed to accommodate. The Division of Shellfish Safety and Waterborne Hazards reviews the technical aspects of applications, plans and specifications, and issue certificates of adequacy for sewerage facilities. The Marine Resources Commission is notified when a certificate is issued or denied. The local Office of Environmental Health inspects for compliance with the regulations to ensure proper sanitation and cleanliness of the facility and issue Certificates to Operate (CTO).

For more information, call (757)393-8585 ext. 8585. 

 

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests

The  Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), located § 2.2-3700 et. seq. of the Code of Virginia guarantees citizens of the Commonwealth and representatives of the media access to public records held by public bodies, public officials, and public employees. To initiate a request, please use NextRequest. A fee may be charged.

For additional information, please email  PHD-EHstaff@vdh.virginia.gov,  call (757) 383-8585, ext. 8585, or visit the Virginia Department of Health’s main FOIA webpage at  https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/commissioner/administration/freedom-of-information-act/. 

 

Private Wells

The Environmental Health Services review and issue permits for proposed sites of private wells. This ensures the wells are properly located at a safe distance from potential sources of contamination to protect the consumer and groundwater supply. Types of wells include, but are not limited to drinking water, irrigation, geothermal, and industrial. Additional requirements may be imposed if the proposed volume of water to be withdrawn exceeds 300,000 gallons per month.   

For more information, call (757) 393-8585, ext. 8585.

 

Private Wells Links

  1. Have you recently had your well water tested and want to know what the results mean? If so, you’ve come to the right place. The Well-Informed Virginia drinking water interpretation tool has been created to help private well owners and users in Virginia understand water test results to determine whether their family’s health may be at risk and, if so, available options for response.
  2. The Virginia Department of Health DOES NOT require activities in conjunction with the buying or selling of property with private wells. However, during real estate transactions involving properties with private wells, questions often arise from buyers, sellers, and lenders.  In response, the Office of Environmental Health Services is pleased to offer this FAQ sheet.

 

Rabies Control Program

What is rabies?

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that causes acute inflammation of the brain in humans and other warm-blooded animals. Rabies is termed a zoonosis, which means a disease that is usually transmitted from animals to other animals but can also be transmitted to humans through the bite of a rabid animal. Once inside the body, the virus replicates in the bitten muscle and travels up the nerves to reach the central nervous system and brain where most of the clinical symptoms occur. Until the virus reaches the brain there are usually no symptoms. Once acquired and left untreated, rabies is 100% fatal. Human rabies cases in the U.S. currently average two cases per year. Cases of rabies in domestic pets average 400 to 500 per year. The Portsmouth City Code Sec. 4-96. – Vaccination of dogs and cats – requires any person who owns, keeps, harbors or has in his care, custody or control, any dog or cat four months old or older to be vaccinated against rabies within a period of 12 months, if such dog or cat has been vaccinated or inoculated by the one-year vaccine or within a period of 36 months if such dog or cat has been vaccinated or inoculated by the three-year vaccine.

What animals can get rabies?

All species of mammals are susceptible to rabies virus infection, but only a few species are important as reservoirs for the disease. In the United States, distinct strains of rabies virus have been identified in raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes. Several species of bats are also reservoirs for strains of the rabies virus.
Cats, dogs, ferrets and livestock can also get rabies if they are not vaccinated to protect them. Deer and large rodents, such as woodchucks, have been found rabid in areas affected by raccoon rabies.
Some animals rarely get rabies. These include wild rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, rats, mice, guinea pigs, gerbils and hamsters. There are other animals that never get rabies including birds, snakes, fish, turtles, lizards and insects.

What are the signs of animals with rabies?

The time between the exposure and the appearance of symptoms is called the incubation period and it may last for weeks to months. A bite by an animal during the incubation period does not carry a risk of the disease because the virus has not yet made it to the saliva. It is late in the disease, after the virus has reached the brain and multiplied causing brain inflammation, when the virus moves from the brain to the salivary glands and saliva.
Also at this time, after the virus has multiplied in the brain, almost all animals begin to show the first signs of rabies. Most of these signs are obvious to even an untrained observer, but within a short period of time, usually within 3 to 5 days, the virus has caused enough damage to the brain so that the animal begins to show unmistakable signs of rabies.
The first sign of rabies is usually a change in the animal’s behavior. It may become unusually aggressive or unusually tame. The animal may lose fear of people and natural enemies. It may become excited, irritable and snap at anything in its path. Or it may appear affectionate and friendly. Staggering, convulsions, spitting, choking, frothing at the mouth and paralysis are sometimes noted. Many animals have a marked change in voice. The animal usually dies within one week after showing signs of rabies.

** Attachment-7a-Dog-Cat-Ferret-Exposed **

 What should you do if you think you are potentially exposed to rabies?

The rabies virus is transmitted through saliva or brain/nervous system tissue. You can only get rabies by encountering these specific bodily excretions and tissues such as when the virus is introduced into a bite wound, open cuts in skin, or onto mucous membranes such as the mouth or eyes.  Any penetration of the skin by teeth constitutes a bite exposure. The contamination of open wounds, abrasions, mucous membranes, or theoretically, scratches (potentially contaminated with infectious material from a rabid animal) constitutes a non-bite exposure.
Contact such as petting or handling an animal, or contact with blood, urine or feces does not constitute an exposure. No post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed in these situations.

Even if an apparently healthy domestic dog, cat, ferret or other domestic animal bites a person, the animal must be confined to limited contact with other humans/animals and observed for ten days following the bite.  The Portsmouth City Code – Sec. 4-98. – Quarantine of certain animals – requires the keeping of any animal under such conditions of reasonable security, confinement, or strict isolation as may be determined by the director of public health to be necessary or desirable in the interest of public health and safety.
Dogs, cats and ferrets that bite humans or other animals should be considered suspect rabid until the end of the 10 day quarantine/observation period.
If it remains healthy during this period, the animal did not transmit rabies at the time of the bite. All wild animals must be tested for rabies (if possible) if human or domestic animal exposures have occurred. Report all animal bites to Portsmouth’s Environmental Health Services.
The Environmental Health Services division conducts investigations of all reported animal and human exposures. Contact the Portsmouth Health Department at (757) 393-8585 ext. 8585.

** Attachment 7c-Human-Exposed-to-Domestic-Animals **

Why a 10-day quarantine?

In Portsmouth, as mentioned above, an animal that has bitten a human or another domestic animal must undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine period. Usually, the Portsmouth Health Department will allow the quarantine to be carried out at the owner’s home.
The quarantine is set at 10 days because a rabies-infected animal can only transmit the disease after clinical signs have developed.  Once these signs have developed, the animal will die within 10 days. If the animal lives beyond the 10th day, it can be said with certainty that it was not shedding the rabies virus at the time that the bite occurred.  If the animal dies before the 10th day, it can be tested for rabies. If the test is positive, a human bite victim will still have enough time to receive post-exposure vaccinations and prevent the disease

Why a 6-month quarantine?

Sec. 4-98 also states that in Portsmouth, an unvaccinated domestic animal that has been bitten by a wild animal or that has received a suspected bite wound of unknown origin must undergo a six-month rabies quarantine. Most often, this quarantine can be carried out in an approved fenced enclosure at the owner’s expense. Because the incubation period for rabies is usually less than six months, this quarantine period is meant to ensure that the animal does not have rabies before it is allowed to come into regular contact with humans and other animals again.
If an owner is unable to comply with this law or cannot afford to pay for the mandatory six-month quarantine, the only alternative for the pet is mandatory euthanasia and testing for rabies. Keeping your pet’s rabies vaccination up to date will ensure that he never needs to be quarantined for six months, even if he is bitten by a wild animal.

When should I seek medical attention?

Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention as soon as possible by visiting your doctor or a health care facility. Regardless of the risk of rabies, bite wounds can cause serious injury such as nerve or tendon laceration and local and system infection. Your doctor will determine the best way to care for your wound and will also consider how to treat the wound for the best possible cosmetic results. If the animal can be confined, wait until the end of the confinement period before considering post exposure prophylaxis (PEP).
If a rabies-suspect biting animal cannot be observed or tested, or it tests positive for rabies, PEP treatment should begin immediately.

What if my pet is exposed to a rabid animal?

If your pet has been in a fight with another animal, wear gloves to handle it. Isolate it from other animals. Call your veterinarian and Portsmouth Environmental Health Services. Your vaccinated pet will need a booster immunization with rabies vaccine within five days of the exposure. Unvaccinated animals exposed to a known or suspected rabid animal must be confined for six months or humanely destroyed.

What can people do to protect themselves against rabies?

Don’t feed, touch or adopt wild animals, stray dogs or cats. Be sure your dogs, cats and ferrets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations. Vaccinated pets serve as a buffer between rabid wildlife and man. Protect them, and you may reduce your risk of exposure to rabies. Vaccines for dogs, cats and ferrets after three months of age are effective for a one-year period. Re-vaccinations in dogs and cats are effective for up to three years. Pets too young to be vaccinated should be kept indoors. Some new vaccines have now been licensed, and therefore, can be used for younger animals. Keep family pets indoors at night. Don’t leave them outside unattended or let them roam free. Don’t attract wild animals to your home or yard. Keep your property free of stored bird seeds or other foods which may attract wild animals. Feed pets indoors. Tightly cap or put away garbage cans. Board up any openings to your attic, basement, porch or garage. Cap your chimney with screens.
Bats can be particularly difficult to keep out of buildings because they can get through cracks as small as a pencil. Methods to keep bats out (bat proof) of homes and summer camps should be done during the fall and winter. Encourage children to immediately tell an adult if they are bitten by any animal. Tell children not to touch any animal they do not know.

What to do if a wild animal is on your property?

If a wild animal is on your property, contact an animal control officer to remove animal. Do not touch any animal or encounter any animal that appears to be sick. Observe the animal from a distance so you can alert animal control to its whereabouts for capture. Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to the Portsmouth Health Department. Depending on the species, it can be observed or tested for rabies to avoid the need for rabies treatment. This includes bats with skin contact or found in a room with a sleeping person, unattended child, or someone with mental impairment. Bats have small, sharp teeth and in certain circumstances people can be bitten and do not know it.

Where can I get more information about rabies?

Call the Portsmouth Health Department, Environmental Health, at (757) 393-8585 ext. 8585. And the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/rabies/index.html

Rabies control regulations can be accessed by going to City of Portsmouth’s Virginia Code of Ordinances

Vector Control

** Please note that the Portsmouth Health Dept does not conduct any vector control (i.e. rodent, mosquito, bedbugs) investigations/abatements for residential properties. **

RAT FACTS

  • Rats are among man’s worst animal pests due to their abundance, destructiveness, and potential for disease transmission.
  • They destroy millions of dollars’ worth of property each year and consume and contaminate food.
  • Rats bite people and are hosts to ectoparasites including fleas, mites, and ticks that transmit disease from rats to man.
  • While plague is historically the most infamous disease spread by rats, other possible diseases include rat bite fever, salmonellosis, murine typhus, and leptospirosis.

SIGNS OF RAT INFESTATION:

  • Gnawing on boxes or containers of easily accessible food along runways and burrows.
  • Runways (rub marks or paths frequented by rats)
  • Burrows along the foundation of a house or other dwelling
  • Droppings (small, pellet shaped) in areas frequented by rats

RAT HARBORAGE AND FOOD

Rats will eat a variety of sources:

    • Leftovers, dirty dishes, and garbage
    • Stored foods (ex: boxes of cereal)
    • Pet foods and dog droppings
    • Grass seed and bird feed
    • Fallen or rotten fruit

Rats live in a variety of places:

    • Garbage
    • High grass and weeds
    • Junk, wood, and junk cars
    • Your house, garage, or shed

Rat control regulations can be accessed by going to City of Portsmouth’s Virginia Code of Ordinances.

MOSQUITO AND WEST NILE FACTS

Citizens can prevent mosquitoes from breeding by turning over or removing containers around the home where rainwater is collected, such as old tires, potted plant trays, buckets, and toys. Citizens also are advised to clean birdbaths and wading pools once a week, to clean roof gutters and downspouts screens regularly, and eliminate standing water on flat roofs.

Citizens can protect themselves from mosquitoes while outside by wearing long, loose and light-colored clothing. Use insect repellent products with 20-30% DEET for adults and less than 10% for children. Follow label instructions when using insect repellents.

What is West Nile virus infection?

The West Nile virus infection is spread by the bite of infected mosquitoes and usually causes a mild illness but may also cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). This virus is named after the West Nile region of Uganda where the virus was first isolated in 1937. It caused an outbreak in New York in 1999.

Who gets West Nile virus infection?

Anyone can get West Nile virus infection if bitten by an infected mosquito. However, even in areas where the transmission of West Nile virus is known to be occurring, only a small proportion of mosquitoes are likely to be infected. Even if a person is bitten by an infected mosquito, the chance of developing illness is approximately 1/200. People who are over 50 years old are at greater risk of severe illness.

How is West Nile virus spread?

West Nile virus is spread by infected mosquitoes. A mosquito is infected by biting a bird that carries the virus. West Nile virus does not spread from one person to another or directly from birds to humans.

I’ve gotten a mosquito bite. Should I be tested for West Nile virus infection?   

No, most mosquitoes are not infected with West Nile virus. See a physician if you develop the symptoms below.

What are the symptoms of West Nile virus infection?

The disease may be mild or serious. Mild illnesses include fever and muscle aches, swollen lymph glands and sometimes a skin rash. In the elderly, infection may spread to the nervous system or bloodstream and cause sudden fever, intense headache, and stiff neck and confusion, possibly resulting in encephalitis or meningitis. Healthy children and adults may not have any symptoms.

How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?

The symptoms generally appear about 3 to 15 days after exposure but may appear as soon as 1 day after exposure or as late as 7 or more days.

Does past infection with West Nile virus make a person immune?

Yes, a person who gets West Nile virus is unlikely to get it again.

What is the treatment for West Nile virus infection? Is there a vaccine for West Nile virus?

There is no specific treatment. Supportive therapy will be used in more severe cases. Most people recover from this illness. There is no vaccine.

How can West Nile virus infection be prevented?

It can be prevented by controlling the mosquito population and protecting against mosquito bites.

    • Wear long, loose and light-colored clothing.
    • If possible, stay indoors when mosquitoes are biting.
    • Use insect repellent products with 20-30% DEET for adults and less than 10 percent for children.
    • Turn over or remove containers in your yard where water collects, such as old tires, potted plant trays, buckets and toys.
    • Eliminate standing water on tarps or flat roofs.
    • Clean out birdbaths and wading pools once a week.
    • Clean roof gutters and downspout screens

Where can I get more information on West Nile virus?

Call your local health department or visit the following web sites.

BED BUG FACTS

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed solely on the blood of people and animals while they sleep. Bed bugs are reddish-brown in color, wingless, range from 1mm to 7mm (roughly the size of Lincoln’s head on a penny), and can live several months without a blood meal.

Where are bed bugs found?

Bed bugs are found across the globe from North and South America, to Africa, Asia and Europe. Although the presence of bed bugs has traditionally been seen as a problem in developing countries, it has recently been spreading rapidly in parts of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other parts of Europe. Bed bugs have been found in five-star hotels and resorts, and their presence is not determined by the cleanliness of the living conditions where they are found.

Bed bug infestations usually occur around or near areas where people sleep. These areas include apartments, shelters, rooming houses, hotels, cruise ships, buses, trains, and dorm rooms. They hide during the day in places such as seams of mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, dresser tables, inside cracks or crevices, behind wallpaper, or any other clutter or objects around a bed. Bed bugs have been shown to be able to travel over 100 feet in a night but tend to live within 8 feet of where people sleep.

Do bed bugs spread disease?

Bed bugs should not be considered as a medical or public health hazard. Bed bugs are not known to spread disease. Bed bugs can be an annoyance because their presence may cause itching and loss of sleep. Sometimes itching can lead to excessive scratching that can sometimes increase the chance of a secondary skin infection.

What health risks do bed bugs pose?

A bed bug bite affects each person differently. Bite responses can range from an absence of any physical signs of the bite, to a small bite mark, to a serious allergic reaction. Bed bugs are not considered to be dangerous; however, an allergic reaction to several bites may need medical attention.

What are the signs and symptoms of a bed bug infestation?

One of the easiest ways to identify a bed bug infestation is by the tell-tale bite marks on the face, neck, arms, hands, or any other body parts while sleeping. However, these bite marks may take as long as 14 days to develop in some people, so it is important to look for other clues when determining if bed bugs have infested an area. These signs include:

    • Bed bugs’ exoskeletons after molting.
    • Bed bugs in the fold of mattresses and sheets.
    • Rusty–colored blood spots due to their blood-filled fecal material that they excrete on the mattress or nearby furniture, and a sweet musty odor.

How do I know if I’ve been bitten by a bed bug?

It is hard to tell if you’ve been bitten by a bed bug unless you find bed bugs or signs of infestation. When bed bugs bite, they inject an anesthetic and an anticoagulant that prevents a person from realizing they are being bitten. Most people do not realize they have been bitten until bite marks appear anywhere from one to several days after the initial bite. The bite marks are like that of a mosquito or a flea — a slightly swollen and red area that may itch and be irritating. The bite marks may be random or appear in a straight line. Other symptoms of bed bug bites include insomnia, anxiety, and skin problems that arise from profuse scratching of the bites.

Because bed bug bites affect everyone differently, some people may have no reaction and will not develop bite marks or any other visible signs of being bitten. Other people may be allergic to bed bugs and can react adversely to the bites. These allergic symptoms can include enlarged bite marks, painful swellings at the bite site, and, on rare occasions, anaphylaxis.

How did I get bed bugs?

Bed bugs are experts at hiding. Their slim flat bodies allow them to fit into the smallest of spaces and stay there for long periods of time, even without a blood meal. Bed bugs are usually transported from place to place as people travel. The bed bugs travel in the seams and folds of luggage, overnight bags, folded clothes, bedding, furniture, and anywhere else where they can hide. Most people do not realize they are transporting stow-away bed bugs as they travel from location to location, infecting areas as they travel. Contrary to popular opinion, bed bugs do not jump on people as they are walking through a room.

Who is at risk of getting bed bugs?

Everyone is at risk of getting bed bugs when visiting an infected area. However, anyone who travels frequently and shares living and sleeping quarters where other people have previously slept has a higher risk of being bitten and/or spreading a bed bug infestation.

How are bed bugs treated and prevented?

Bed bug bites usually do not pose a serious medical threat. The best way to treat a bite is to avoid scratching the area and apply antiseptic creams or lotions and take an antihistamine. Bed bug infestations are commonly treated by insecticide spraying. If you suspect that you have an infestation, contact your landlord or professional pest control company that is experienced with treating bed bugs. The best way to prevent bed bugs is regular inspection for the signs of an infestation.

Can you treat and eliminate the bed bugs on your own?

Bed bugs are challenging pests to get rid of, since they hide so well and reproduce so quickly. In addition, the egg stage is resistant to many forms of treatment, so a single attempt may not be sufficient to complete the job. Treating bed bugs is complex. Your likelihood of success depends on many factors, including:

    • Extent of the infestation.
    • Site-specific challenges.
    • Neighbors with infestations.
    • Ability of all residents to participate.

Achieving complete control can take weeks to months, depending on the nature and extent of the infestation.

How do I keep the infestation from spreading?

Anything removed from the room should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and treated.

Items that cannot be treated should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and left for an extended period to ensure any active bugs are dead (research shows variation in the length of time needed, but it can be as long as a year).

    • Empty the vacuum after each use.
    • Seal the bag and throw it out in an outdoor trash container.
    • Don’t discard furniture if you can eliminate the bed bugs from it.
    • If furniture cannot be salvaged, discard it responsibly. Destroy it so someone else won’t be tempted to bring it into their home. For example:
      • Remove covers and stuffing from furniture items.
      • Use spray paint to mark furniture with “Bed Bugs.”
      • Take steps to have infested items picked up as soon as possible by the trash collection agency.

Do I need to do anything before treatment?

Jumping straight into control is tempting but won’t work. Preparing for treatment is essential to getting successful control. It will also help by making it easier for you to monitor bed bugs that haven’t been eliminated. This preparation should be conducted whether you are doing the treatment yourself or hiring a professional.

How can I kill bed bugs?

    • Make sure the methods you select are safe, effective and legal. See Do-it-yourself Bed Bug Control | US EPA for more information.
    • Consider non-chemical methods of killing bed bugs. Some will be more useful than others.
    • Heat treatment using a clothes dryer on high heat, black plastic bags in the sun or a hot, closed car (pest management professionals have other methods that are not suitable for non-trained individuals to use).
    • Cold treatment can be successful in the home environment if the freezer is set to 0°F. You must leave the items in the freezer at that temperature for four days. (Always use a thermometer to check the temperature, since home freezers are not always set to 0°F.)

Reducing the numbers of bugs with these and other non-chemical methods is helpful but is unlikely to eliminate the infestation.

If needed, use pesticides carefully according to the label directions or hire a pest management professional.

    • Look for EPA-registered pesticides.
    • Bed bugs must be listed on the label.
    • Use foggers (bug bombs) only with extreme care. Improper use can harm your health or cause a fire/explosion.
    • Because foggers work with a broadcast spraying action, they should not be used as the sole source of bed bug control. The spray will not reach the cracks and crevices where bed bugs hide.
    • Every few days after you complete your initial cleanup and control processes, carefully look for any evidence of bed bugs.
    • If you see bed bugs, that means that either the initial cleanup missed some individuals or that eggs have hatched (finding and removing or killing all eggs can be very difficult) and retreatment may be needed.

If repeated treatments are needed, consider using pesticides with Pesticides to Control Bed Bugs | US EPA.

Desiccants (drying agents) can be particularly effective in some situations since they work by drying out the bug (which means the bed bugs can’t develop resistance to it).

    • If using desiccants, be sure to use only products registered as a pesticide.
    • Do not use pool or food-grade diatomaceous earth – this type of diatomaceous earth can harm you when you breathe it in. The pesticide version uses a different size of diatoms, which reduces the hazard.
    • Desiccants can be very effective; however, they can take up to several months to work.
    • Bed bug interceptor (place under furniture legs to catch bed bugs)

How do I evaluate and prevent re-infestation?

  • Continue to inspect for presence of bed bugs, at least every 7 days, in case any eggs remain.
  • Interceptors (placed under the legs of furniture to catch bed bugs and keep them from climbing the legs; commercial and do-it-yourself versions available), traps or other methods of monitoring can be used.
  • Continue to Local Resources for Bed Bug Assistance | US EPA.

For additional information, please see:

Informational Links:

Additional Links related to Food Safety, Entomology and Government

The Partnership for Food Safety Education www.fightbac.org