Nuisances cause inconvenience or annoyance to humans, however, they do not transmit disease. Examples of nuisances include lice and bed bugs. The health department does not make home visits for nuisance only concerns and is unable to provide funding for nuisance control and removal. A professional pest control company should be obtained for the control and removal of bed bug infestations. 

Lice

All household members or other close contacts of those with an active lice infestation should be checked for lice. Anyone who is found to have active lice should be treated. The best course of action is to focus on physically removing the nits (eggs) which are generally found near the scalp/hair root by using a fine comb, fingernails, or cutting hair strands that contain nits. This is tedious but is the most effective way to get rid of the nits. Lice can only crawl, they cannot fly or jump, and pets do not spread lice. Other options are to use medicated shampoos such as

1. permethrin 1% (best option). One application of permethrin is usually enough to kill adult lice and nits, but a second treatment can be applied one week later. 

2. pyrethrin (generally need 2 treatments, 7-10 days apart). This is an effective method to kill adult lice fast, but it is short-acting and won’t kill nits after the first application. 

Otherwise, there are prescription medications/shampoos that can be used. Generally, it is recommended to try one of the above-mentioned methods and complete one round of treatment before trying a prescription. There are also other alternatives such as margarine, mayonnaise and olive oil that can be tried to smother the nits, but data is limited as to the effectiveness of these options. 

Preventing head-to-head contact from other household members and classmates is important to minimize the risk of transmission of lice. If household furniture (bed, couch, pillows, etc) is being used by someone who has lice, others should not come into contact with it as lice can crawl and get onto these surfaces. Household members should not use the same hairbrushes, hats or other hair accessories. Hairbrushes should be soaked in hot water or rubbing alcohol for one hour. Other clothing, bedding, towels, pillows, furniture, rugs, stuffed animals, etc should also be sanitized. This can be done by washing items in hot water and drying on the hottest setting for at least 20 minutes. Items that are unable to be washed can be dry-cleaned, put in the freezer or stored in a plastic bag for 2 weeks. Flooring such as carpet/area rugs should be thoroughly vacuumed, and hard surface flooring cleaned with warm, soapy water. Vacuum bags should be disposed of after use. Fumigant sprays or fogs should not be used as they can be toxic and are ineffective to control lice.   

It is important that all household members participate in getting checked and treated (if active lice exist) to prevent the spread to each other and others.

Another in depth resource can be found here: CDC – Lice – Head Lice – Treatment

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed 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. 

The best way to beat bed bugs is to be informed about them! Bed bugs can infest any home or area. If you think you have bed bugs, don’t panic! With proper identification and control, bed bugs can be removed from any place. Bed bugs do not transmit disease to humans. While they can be very irritating, they are not a serious health threat. 

Explore this link for more information and products to treat bed bugs.

Tips to prevent bed bugs:

• Always check any secondhand furniture, fabric household items, clothing, beds and couches for signs of bed bug activity before you bring it into your home.
  • Signs of bed bug activity include rusty or reddish colored stains on bed sheets or mattresses; small dark spots found which can bleed onto fabric like a marker would; seeing tiny eggs and/or pale-yellow skins that are shed by bed bugs; live bed bugs.
  • If purchasing secondhand items such as clothing, bedding, pillows, stuffed animals or furniture, take the following precautions immediately:
    • Clothing: wash with hot water and dry on the hottest setting in laundry facilities. Heat above 120 degrees will kill bed bugs.
    • Items that are unable to be put into the washer should be thoroughly steam cleaned, vacuumed and/or wiped down with a disinfectant. 

There are a few different ways to get rid of bed bugs:

1. Steam treatment—mattresses, box springs and furniture can be treated with a steam producing device. The high temperatures will kill the bed bugs.
2. Heat treatment—heating a room and its contents to above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This is done through the use of a specially designed and approved heating device.
3. Chemical treatment—pest control companies will apply approved chemicals according to the manufacturer’s instructions (specifically labeled for indoor use and designed to kill bed bugs) in cracks and crevices where bed bugs hide.
4. Vacuuming—a vacuum is used to physically remove insects from infested areas.

Treatment will be most successful if clutter is removed as there would be fewer hiding places for the bed bugs. 

Other resources:

Bed Bugs 101

DATCP Home (kellysolutions.com) – list of approved products to get rid of bed bugs.

Let’s Beat the Bed Bug! | (umn.edu)

Bed Bugs: Get Them Out and Keep Them Out | US EPA

Bed Bugs in Wisconsin Q&A

Monroe County Health Department works with families whose children have had evidence of exposure to lead. Lead exposure is responsible for serious health issues in children such as reduced  IQ, learning disabilities, developmental delays, and a range of other health and behavior effects. Most exposures occur in homes or daycares built before 1978, where lead-based paint has broken down. 

Lead poisoning can be prevented by getting rid of lead-based paint hazards before children are exposed. Wisconsin’s goal is eliminate this disease by working to make housing lead-safe, and by improving the detection and treatment of lead poisoning in children. Visit Lead-Safe Wisconsin to learn more.

• Suggested Websites for Homeowners and Renters:
  • Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and School
  • Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program
  • Lead-Safe Homes Program (wisconsin.gov)

• Suggested Websites for Parents:
  • Learn about Lead
  • Childhood Lead Poisonings
  • What is Lead Poisoning? | Wisconsin Department of Health Services
  • Where Is Lead Commonly Found in Wisconsin? | Wisconsin Department of Health Services

Cats and Dog Bites

If you are bitten by a cat or dog, you should:

Other Wild Animal Bites

If you are bitten by a wild animal:

1. Wash the wound thoroughly and seek medical attention if needed.
2. If possible, locate and capture the animal. Use caution. It is helpful to test the animal for rabies. Call the health department at 608-269-8666 and we will send the animal in for testing. Please note that the skull of the animal must be intact to test the animal for rabies.
3. If the animal is unable to be captured, consult with your physician about Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), particularly if the animal had rabies symptoms.
4. You may consult the DHS Rabies Algorithm as a guide for recommended next steps.
   To learn more about Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), visit cdc.gov/rabies.

What is mold?

Mold is a fungal growth that forms and spreads on various kinds of damp or decaying material. Mold reproduces from tiny spores. When they land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on to survive. Mold can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods. When excessive moisture or water accumulates indoors, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or un-addressed. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

Should I test for mold?

Testing for mold is generally not necessary.  If you can see and smell it, you have a mold problem.  However, it is recommended that you do a thorough inspection to determine the cause of mold growth. 

How do I clean up mold?

Occasionally, mold can be found in the bathroom, on a windowsill, shower curtain, or wall.  This mold can be wiped off the surface with a damp cloth and cleaning agent (e.g. window or bathroom cleaner). Then, fix the cause of the mold. This  may be as simple as using a dehumidifier or fixing a simple leak.  For larger mold problems (about 10 square feet), follow the three phases that are described in the Mold in your Home: Cleaning Options.

How can I prevent mold?

Preventing mold growth requires controlling the moisture source. Here are some simple steps to prevent mold:

• Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you can—no higher than 50%–all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. You can buy a meter to check your home’s humidity at a home improvement store. 
• Fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
• Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
• Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away. Think about not using carpet in places like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.
• Be sure the air in your home flows freely. Use exhaust fans that vent outside your home in the kitchen and bathroom. Make sure your clothes dryer vents outside your home.
• Learn more tips from CDC You Can Control Mold.
  

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Resources:

A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home | US EPA

Mold Testing or Sampling | US EPA

Mold for Homeowners | Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene

Mold Cleanup in Your Home | US EPA

Tenant Landlord Issues l Wisconsin Department of Health Services