Global Courant
Uninvited passengers come in all shapes and sizes.
Bedbugs had their travel plans derailed when Hawaii’s largest airport, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, recently closed three gates in Terminal 2 – the terminal used by Southwest Hawaii flights – after the airport received a message about the uninvited guests, according to multiple reports.
Officials from the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) promptly moved in to clean up the area and remove anything that might have attracted the bugs, but officials were initially unsure if the pests were bed bugs.
ODD BUGS: FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT PRAYING MANTINS, WALKING STICKS AND OTHER UNIQUE INSECTS
The next day, a Southwest executive contacted HDOT to let staff know the bugs were still there — so a sample of the bugs was sent to the agency, which the department confirmed were bed bugs.
The transportation department noted that three gate areas were undergoing a thorough cleaning, including the removal of carpet, the use of non-toxic bug spray and a call to pest control for preventative measures.
People with bed bugs often get the pests while traveling because the bugs like to hitch a ride for free in suitcases or clothing without being noticed. (iStock)
The gates were subsequently reopened, according to a June 1 report.
“An additional deep cleaning will take place over the next three weeks based on recommendations to prevent a recurrence,” HDOT director Ed Sniffen said in a statement.
Fox News Digital contacted the department for comment.
Southwest Airlines told Fox News Digital that the company takes pest control very seriously.
ARE YOU A MOSQUITO MAGNET? IT MAY BE FOR AN UNPLEASANT REASON
The company has implemented extensive cleaning measures, including thorough, frequent cleaning of Southwest leased areas and owned equipment (such as break rooms, lobby areas, ground support equipment, warehouses and aircraft) to ensure areas remain bug free.
It did not expect any operational impact on its inter-island or mainland service as it continued to coordinate with the state to address the issue more broadly.
Bedbugs are small insects that feed on human blood, but most people never see them unless there are numerous insects.
People with bed bugs often get the pests while traveling because the bugs like to hitch a ride for free in suitcases or clothing without being noticed.
Here’s a deeper look at the pests to keep them from traveling or mixing with personal belongings.
Don’t let the bed bugs bite
Bed bugs are small insects that feed on human blood, but most people never see them unless they are numerous.
A tiny bed bug is the size of an apple seed with a broad, oval body that turns a reddish-brown color after being recently eaten, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD).
“Bed bugs are photophobic and therefore wouldn’t be seen during the day,” Alison Ehrlich, MD, a dermatologist in private practice at Foxhall Dermatology and Research Center in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital.
“Bed bug bites usually occur while people are sleeping,” said a dermatologist. After that, the insects generally retreat to the nearest hiding place – often dark places such as in a mattress or even a picture frame. (iStock)
She also said, “Bed bug bites usually occur while people are sleeping.”
Once their cover is exposed, the bugs retreat to the nearest hiding place — often dark areas such as in a mattress or even a picture frame, AAD noted on its website.
When they move, they may appear to be flying or jumping, but they only crawl quickly because they cannot fly or jump, according to the website.
Look for bites and signs of bed bugs
Two telltale signs of bedbugs are bites on the body and visible signs of bedbugs, AAD said.
The bites are often nonspecific, Ehrlich said, so it’s often difficult to determine the exact cause of insect bites, which often leads people to mistakenly believe that mosquitoes, fleas or spiders bit them.
MOSQUITOES IN HOT WEATHER: THE THREAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
A helpful clue may be the location of the bite.
“Bed bug bites are more common on the upper body, (while) flea or mosquito bites are more common on the lower body,” she said via email.
The upper body is more likely to be the site of bed bug bites, while “flea or mosquito bites (usually) occur on the lower body,” said a dermatologist. (iStock)
Also, mosquito and flea bites often occur during the day or while people are awake at night — but “if pets have fleas and sleep in your bed, it’s possible to be bitten by a flea while sleeping as well,” Ehrlich said.
A classic sign of a bedbug is a cluster of bites — often in groups of three in a zigzag pattern, known in the medical community as “breakfast, lunch, dinner.”
Be alert to these clues
Bedbugs are sneaky creatures, but are often exposed by the clues they leave behind, according to the AAD.
In your bedroom, take a deep breath first to see if there’s a “sweet, musty smell,” as the critters produce chemicals to communicate.
CLIMATE CHAOS? INSECTS WILL HAPPEN IN AN EVER WARMING WORLD, SAY SCIENTISTS
Next, look for blood stains on bedding, including blankets, sheets, pillows, and mattress protectors.
Check the mattress and box spring, as well as upholstered furniture, including sofas and headboards, and also look for blood spatter.
“The best place to look for them is along the seams and corners of mattresses,” Ehrlich said.
When looking for bed bugs, check the mattress and box spring, as well as upholstered furniture, including sofas and headboards, and look for blood stains as well. (iStock)
Bed bugs leave shell-like residue known as an exoskeleton, the outer shell they shed, so carefully look for these residues on the mattress, mattress pad, or under sofa cushions.
Watch for dark spots
Bedbugs may claim their territory on your favorite upholstery.
“Look for fecal spots — dark specks, 1mm cream-colored eggs, and/or brown/red bugs,” Ehrlich advised.
The small, blackish specks in the room may indicate bed bug excrement.
Bed bugs follow people wherever they travel, so a busy airport creates a favorable environment for the bugs.
In Hawaii, Kilauea Pest Control said the team used fecal spores and blood stains to isolate the bed bug infestation to three gates at the Honolulu airport, according to the local news outlet.
100 MILLION YEARS AGO BEDWEST FLOATS ALONG THE EARTH ALONG DINOSAURS
The pest company reminded people that bed bugs will follow people wherever they travel, so a busy airport creates a favorable environment for the bugs.
And travelers should not forget to check in their luggage, Ehrlich added.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
Most bed bug bites usually go away on their own within a week or two, but it’s a good idea to wash the bites with soap and water to prevent the skin from becoming infected and also to reduce itching.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
If the itching is bothersome, applying an over-the-counter corticosteroid cream may ease the discomfort, according to AAD.
