Greater Cincinnati Survey: 14.5% of Cincinnati respondents (7.9%, Hamilton County) report a bed bug problem

If you’ve read the Cincinnati/Hamilton County Joint Bed But Task Force Strategic Plan, you know it contemplated three areas for statistical research:

Research
There is a critical need to evaluate the current level of infestation in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana, to determine the burden of this significant quality of life hazard on the population, and to have a baseline for analysis of future trends. We have identified several potential projects to address this issue. These include adding questions related to recent bed bug exposure to the Greater Cincinnati Health Survey and the state Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance (BRFSS), as well as developing a survey of pest control operators in the Tri-State region. All of these projects would require additional resources.

Greater Cincinnati Health Survey
This survey would allow us to ask several focused questions about the recent household exposure to bed bugs and efforts to eradicate infestations, in citizens of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. The survey would include ~500 respondents in the City of Cincinnati and 500 respondents in Hamilton County, and would provide population based representative estimates of exposure to bed bugs in the past year.

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
This annual survey would be used to obtain state-wide prevalence estimates of recent bed bug infestations, and would provide the baseline data for evaluating trends in bed bug infestations throughout the state. Based on discussions with ODH, expression of State Legislative interest and a legislative directive to add a question about bed bugs to the BRFSS would be very helpful in getting this question added to the BRFSS, at no direct cost. Robert Indian (ODS) and Patty Koss (BRFSS coordinator) are the contact persons for this study.

Survey of pest control operators
Based on list of licensed PCO’s provided by Ohio Department of Agriculture, we could design a survey to obtain information on the number of buildings being treated for bed bugs by pest control operations. Based on reported data from the city of Toronto, we believe that the majority of bed bug infestations are not being reported to the two Health Departments.

There is no press release that I could find on the website of the Cincinnati Department of Health, but the results from the University of Cincinnati Institute of Policy Research semiannual Greater Cincinnati Survey are in. And they’re extraordinary. And apparently, a non-event in Cincinnati.

I found the press release below at Outlook on Health, a Cincinnati web site dedicated to women’s health issues. The page is dated November 20.

I could not locate news reports or the press release itself anywhere else.

I am reproducing it in its entirety:

Joint Bed Bug Task Force Urges Effective Bed Bug Treatment Methods and More Resources

CINCINNATI – Once introduced to a geographic area, bed bugs are difficult to eradicate. The Joint Bed Bug Task Force (JBBTF) a collaborative effort comprised of City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County and State of Ohio officials was established early this year to better understand the extent of the bed bug problem in the region and to issue recommendations. The recently completed JBBTF Strategic Plan recommends that more resources be found to support a broad-based educational, preventive and consultation campaign to improve the effectiveness of bed bug treatment for citizens.

“Bed bugs are a problem that can affect anybody and everybody, regardless of income, occupation, ethnicity or neighborhood,” Dr. Noble Maseru, Cincinnati Health Commissioner said. “Aggressive and effective treatment is necessary and should be started at the first sign of a problem.” The JJBTF acknowledges that public awareness and education are important aspects of dealing with the bed bug problem, and urges residents to learn the facts about ways to prevent infestations and recommended treatment methods. “Hiring a professional pest management service is the most effective way to eliminate a bed bug infestation,” Tim Ingram, Hamilton County Health Commissioner said. “Do-it-yourself products may cause bed bugs to scatter and make the situation even worse.” It is wise to use a licensed pest management professional with considerable experience treating for bed bugs. Treating for bed bugs is time-intensive and labor-intensive. Customer cooperation is an important aspect as clutter needs to be removed. An in-depth inspection is essential to the process of targeting bed bugs.

“A team-approach is useful for locating and treating bed bugs – any active bed bug harborage should be treated immediately before the bugs scatter, with the in-depth inspection then continuing.” Dr. Susan Jones, Ohio State University Extension Entomologist said. As part of their work, the JBBTF sponsored a series of questions for inclusion in the Spring 2008 Greater Cincinnati Health Survey conducted by the University of Cincinnati Institute for Policy Research. The results of the survey show that overall 7.9% of Hamilton County respondents answered “YES” when asked: “In the past year, have you experienced a problem with bed bugs in your home or apartment?” Of those who had a bed bug problem, 31% chose to treat the problem with only an over-the-counter insect spray – a method that is ineffective in almost all cases.

Breaking the information down, 14.5% of City of Cincinnati residents responding to the survey had a problem with bed bugs. Of Hamilton County residents outside the City of Cincinnati questioned, 3.6% reported a problem. The survey indicated that bed bugs affect all age, race and income groups. The results confirmed that renters and students tend to experience more of a problem. “I personally would expect a much higher incidence of bed bugs in any metro area,” Dr. Jones said. “These areas tend to have more multi-family dwellings, higher concentrations of people, more mass transit, more population diversity and a wide range of socio-economic conditions.“

For more information about bed bugs: City of Cincinnati residents: Information regarding bed bugs, including an instructional video can be found online at www.cincinnati-oh.gov (click on the Health Department link) or by calling (513) 564-1751. Hamilton County residents living outside the cities of Cincinnati, Norwood, Sharonville and Springdale: Please visit Hamilton County Public Health at www.hamiltoncountyhealth.org or call (513) 946-7832.

Emphasis added.

Did you see that? Yes, I recommend that you read that again.

Cincinnati, population 332,252, received give or take 757 official bed bug complaints in 2007. Do we realize what this survey suggests about the likely underreporting rate? The official stats could account for less than 2% of the actual cases.

And is it possible that there could be ______ New Yorkers who have bed bugs? Why can’t we have this type of survey here?

These pages may be of related interest:

1. “During the past 12 months, have you had a problem with bed bugs in your home that required an exterminator?”
2. The Cincinnati/Hamilton County Strategic Plan: getting the basics right
3. The Cincinnati/Hamilton County Strategic Plan: the political frame
4. Hamilton County Public Health’s Jeremy Hessel: “We’re all in this together”
5. Beating Bedbugs guides from Greater London Pest Liaison Group