Bed Bugs

Improve the capacity of your program to address bed bugs using the resources below. This topic page contains links to resources produced by CDC, partners, and others.

Featured Resources

NEW! Vector Control for Environmental Health Professionals (VCEHP) – free online training emphasizing the use of integrated pest management to address public health pests (including bed bugs) and vectors that spread diseases (CDC, in partnership with the National Network of Public Health Institutes, Texas Health Institute, Tulane University, and the National Environmental Health Association)

Tools & Guidance

Bed Bug Information Clearinghouse (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) – information to help states, communities, and consumers prevent and control bed bug infestations

Bed Bugs (New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene) – clearinghouse of bed bug resources for a variety of audiences include homeowners and tenants, landlords, health professionals and others

Bed Bugs (University of Florida) – Bed bug resources in English and Spanish

Bed Bugs: FAQs – CDC answers to frequently asked questions about bed bugs

Bed Bugs - Importance, Biology, and Control Strategies [PDF - 416 KB] (Armed Forces Pest Management Board) – detailed technical guide to help meet the need for current information and guidance regarding bed bug control

Best Management Practices for Bed Bugs (National Pest Management Association) – guidelines developed by industry professionals, regulators, academics, and entomologists

Bugs: Pictorial Keys to Some Species that May Bite Man [PDF - 354 KB] – drawings of bugs (including bed bugs) from CDC’s historical Pictorial Keys to Arthropods, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals of Public Health Significance

Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force (Ohio) – collaboration to provide education about bed bug infestations and information for resources to those struggling with an infestation

Collaborative Strategy on Bed Bugs (Federal Bed Bug Workgroup) – strategy highlighting ways that all levels of government, community, academia, and private industry can work together within a community to reduce bed bugs across the United States (CDC and other members of the workgroup)

Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite! (Michigan Department of Community Health) – guidance for public agencies and housing administrators, as well as homeowners (English, Spanish, Arabic) on how to prevent and address infestations

DPDx - Laboratory Identification of Parasitic Diseases of Public Health Concern – CDC image library, reference information, and training information on bed bugs

Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Bed Bugs in Shelters and Group Living Facilities [PDF - 1 MB] (New York State IPM Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell University) – publication on bed bug prevention, management and control, education and awareness for public agencies and private or public housing administrators and their facilities management teams

Guidelines on Addressing Infestation in HUD-insured and Assisted Multifamily Housing [Housing Notice 12-05] [PDF - 123 KB] (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) – guidance to owners, management agents, and residents of HUD multifamily insured and assisted properties on updated information to prevent and address infestations including bed bugs

Guidelines on Bedbug Control and Prevention in Public Housing (PIH 2012-17) [PDF - 42 KB] (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) – information and references to best practices regarding the prevention and control of bedbug infestations

Health Concerns about Misuse of Pesticides for Bed Bug Control – official CDC Health Advisory

State Bedbug Laws (National Conference of State Legislatures) – website maintains a list of state regulations on bed bug control

Understanding and Controlling Bed Bugs (National Pesticide Information Center) – science-based information about pesticides and pesticide-related topics to enable people to make informed decisions about pesticides and their use

Training

NEW! Vector Control for Environmental Health Professionals (VCEHP) – free online training emphasizing the use of integrated pest management to address public health pests (including bed bugs) and vectors that spread diseases (CDC, in partnership with the National Network of Public Health Institutes, Texas Health Institute, Tulane University, and the National Environmental Health Association)

Publications

Acute Illnesses Associated With Insecticides Used to Control Bed Bugs; Seven States, 2003-2010; MMWR – evaluation of 111 illnesses associated with insecticides used to control bed bugs published in CDC’s MMWR

Bed Bugs [PDF - 156 KB] (University of California) – pamphlet on bed bugs

Bed Bugs Fact Sheet (New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services) – fact sheet for the public about bed bugs

Bed Bugs Fact Sheet - 636 [PDF - 449 KB] (University of Kentucky) – fact sheet about bed bugs