This piece was produced by Bulwark Exterminating and Dream Systems Media, very cool.
Find it at: http://www.rockymountainmattress.com/blog/2012/05/22/how-to-check-for-bed-bugs-like-a-professional/
For more information on bed bugs and mattress replacement feel free to comment below.
A guest post today highlighting some of Canada’s Spring Pest Specials.
09b - Carpenter Ant (Camponotus) (Photo credit: retro traveler)
Have you spotted suspicious bug activities in the nooks and crannies of your home? Or what looks like fine sawdust near some woodwork? If so, there may be carpenter ants in house crawling about gnawing and chewing away at the wooden bones of your home, hard at work establishing their fortifications.
Your home should be a safe, comfortable place to live in. While your home won’t literally fall apart about your ears – the carpenter ants in the house are quite different from termites – they can still do some damage to the wooden frameworks by weakening them with their tunneling, and it’s important to nip this in the bud. Carpenter ants like warm, humid environments for their nests and lakeside homes and boathouses are a popular choice for them.
Most commercially available ant baits won’t work on these carpenter ants. No, they’re cannier than an average ant. There is a new, specialized ant traps just for carpenter ants that you can try. But the best way to get rid of them is to use professional pest control services to treat the whole house, inside and out, in particular targeting the nest.
Do the nightly appearances by bed bugs performing a gripping, biting dance on the stage that is your bed keep you up all night? It is awfully hard to grab some shuteye with tiny bugs nipping away at your tender flesh.
Bed bugs are perhaps one of the most difficult (and perhaps embarrassing – but you shouldn’t be!) pests to eradicate from your home without the use of professional pest control services. Some people end up surrendering and destroy their beds, linens, furniture, and even clothes. That’s expensive, sometimes ineffective – and very unnecessary.
There are five different bed bug treatments, and depending on the life cycle stage your bed bug infestation is in, one or other may be the most effective. It may be necessary to utilize more than one different type of bed bug treatments if your infestation is severe. A good pest control services can help you choose the best option for you and your household.
Guest Blog Bio
Environmental pest control offers pest control services and bed bug treatment in the Toronto region.
For more information visit www.environmentalpestcontrol.ca
Bed bugs can be found singly, but often congregate once established. They usually remain close to hosts, common locations for congregation include:
Bed bugs are elusive and usually nocturnal, which can make them hard to spot. They often lodge unnoticed in dark crevices, and eggs can be nestled in fabric seams. Aside from bite symptoms, signs include fecal spots, blood smears on sheets, and molts. Detection of bed bugs in RV’s can be especially difficult, making it imperative that RV mattresses are kept clean and checked regularly for signs of infestations.
With all the gloom and doom around bed bugs the authorities have fought long a hard to stiffle any claims made about bed bugs carrying diseases but per the Medical Entomology Team at Perdue:
“At least 27 agents of human disease have been found in bed bugs, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms. None of these agents reproduce or multiply within bed bugs, and very few survive for any length of time inside a bed bug. There is no evidence that bed bugs are involved in the transmission (via bite or infected feces) of any disease agent, including hepatitis B virus and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. ” http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publichealth/insects/bedbug.html
Can bed bugs carry disease? Yes. Many professionals have suspected this all along. So the next argument being debated is this:
Bed Bug Bites
So yes they carry disease causing bacteria and virus, but does that mean they can actually transfer it from one human host to the next. It is a very frightening though indeed, and no need to scare the public if it’s not yet proven, RIGHT? But today’s reports leave the possibility very suspect. The Blaze reported yesterday afternoon that a medical Microbiologist became suspicious after seeing a rise in MRSA patients and bed bugs in a poor part of town. So the scientist and his friends collected 5 bed bugs from the neighborhood and found MRSA in 3 of the 5. Circumstantial evidence?
While these findings may not be conclusive, the thought is eery. Protect yourself… And if true, you REALLY don’t want the bed bugs to bite.
Soooo Just a reminder… Get Bug Repellent.
Bed Bug feeding on human
Today is the start of the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Bed Bug Summit in Washington DC. The government sponsored 2-day event will discuss regulation, research and prevention on a national level for multiple industries. This is the EPA‘s second such conference in two years, as the first was held in 2009 in Virginia.
Bed bug summits have become an event of high demand lately. In September of 2010, the first ever North American Bed Bug Summit took place in Chicago. With a more traditional summit atmosphere, bed bug experts and professionals gathered to discuss the ever-growing problem that continues to plague major cities and small towns across the county. Consider these summits to be the Super Bowls of bed bug extermination.
So what’s in the playbook? ABC News reported the agenda in Chicago consisted of seminars focused on detection and treatment. Vendors from all over the nation were on site with their anti-bed bug products. For example, on display was an air tight bag designed to seal your laundry during travel, after-which dissolves in the washer, eliminating the risk of opening the bag and letting those little critters escape. Seems like a good idea!
If you haven’t experienced bed bugs first hand, count yourself lucky. ABC also reported that at least 5 states have actually solicited help from the Department of Defense, which gives a whole new meaning to “national security”. I would love to be there for that mission. “Lock and load! Weapons are hot!” right before they bust down the doors to little Jimmy’s room and secure the area. We have veterans here in the company, so our respect goes out to all the men and women that keep us safe.
While we do no target bed bugs specifically, we do advise proper prevention and detection before hiring a professional to service your residence. Bed bug sniffing dogs are a unique and effective way to determine the presence and severity of any infestation. To our Arizona neighbors and businesses, we recommend AJ and his trusty dog Marcie, over at K9 Bedbug Inspections.
Thomas Ballantyne ( @Thos003 ) interviewing Griffen Pest Solutions ( @griffinpest )
US Bed Bug Reports | InstectReport.org & bedbugregistry.com
Bed bugs are a hot topic for many U.S. cities. Fortunately most of the metro areas Bulwark Exterminating covers have not been red zones. But I understand Griffin is experiencing a lot of bed bug requests.
Griffin: Griffin Pest Solutions corporate headquarters is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, plus we have service branches in Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor as well. We service most of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and Northwest Indiana. Cities in our service area include: Detroit, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Flint and South Bend, IN.
Griffin: We have seen a significant amount of bed bug business from the greater Detroit and Ann Arbor areas. This is no surprise as Detroit has been listed by several national pest control companies as one of the top 5 most infested bed bug cities in the U.S. Our bed bug heat treatment service teams are booked two to three weeks in advance. As business continues to grow, we are anticipating adding a 3rd shift.
Our biggest customers for bed bugs this year have been apartment communities and hotels. However, we have also treated college dorms, homeless shelters, hospitals, assisted living centers, recreational facilities, housing commissions and a good number of residential homes. Clearly bed bugs are spreading, with no end in sight.
Thos003: There is a lot of doom and gloom around the whole bed bug topic. The products that nearly made bed bugs extinct 30 years ago are no longer allowed by the EPA. So controlling bed bugs now is a whole new ball game. We are having to re-invent a solution.
Griffin: Bed bugs are known as hitch-hikers. They are easily transported on people and their belongings. Some of the most common ways of getting bed bugs include picking them up while traveling. By simply putting your luggage on the bed in a hotel, bed bugs could latch on, or crawl in your luggage and you can bring them home with you.
Thos003: Are there other ways for them to spread beyond them being carried by their hosts?
Griffin: If you live in multi-unit housing, such as apartments or dorms, where you share a common wall, you may get bed bugs from your neighbor. Bed bugs only have to travel about 6 inches, through your walls, ceiling, or floors to reach you. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to prevent this from happening.
Adult Bed Bugs grow to 3/8 inch
Another common way to get bed bugs is to buy used furniture at garage sales, antique shops or resale shops. Furniture is rarely inspected and bed bugs can easily hide in furniture cracks. Once inside your house, the bed bugs will multiply. People need to understand that bed bugs are not a cleanliness issue. Bed bugs are a people issue.
Thos003: A lot of bugs go dormant during the cold seasons. What about bed bug?
Griffin: Living in a cold weather climate, we typically see insect activity dramatically decline in the winter. However, with bed bugs we do not anticipate a drop in activity. Bed bugs are on the rise across the country and Michigan has just scratched the surface of the bed bug issue. With the cold weather, people will be spending more time indoors, where it’s warm. Bed bugs live where people live, so the cold weather does not affect them.
Thos003: Wow, Christmas coming up soon and a lot of travelers. How will this affect bed bugs?
Kids are coming home from college; people are traveling to visit family and friends, and bringing bed bugs with them. We expect to see a spike in bed bug activity about 45-60 days after the holidays. This is about the amount of time it takes for bed bugs to multiply to a significant infestation level.
Griffin: When traveling, people need to be vigilant. If they’re staying in a hotel, inspect the room before you bring your luggage to the room. When doing an inspection, bring a bright flashlight. Look for insects the size, shape and color of an apple seed. Bed bugs also shed their skins as they grow, so you may see some casings. Pull back the bed sheets and check the mattress for small rust stains, bed bug excrement, about the side of a pencil eraser. Look under the mattress, inside the end tables and most importantly, behind the headboard. If you can take the headboard off the wall, do it. Hotels can change out bedding and mattress, but usually don’t switch the headboard. If there are no bed bugs behind the headboard, you can be reasonably sure your room does not have bed bugs. If you see any signs of bed bugs, ask for another room nowhere near the room you just came from…or check out of the hotel.
We also tell people not to place luggage on the bed or floor. Keep it as far away from the bed as possible. When traveling, our team puts luggage in the bathtub. We also travel with large zip-lock clothing bags and put all dirty and unworn clothes into the bag. When you get home, immediately dump the contents of the bag into your clothes dryer and turn it on the hottest setting for at least 30 minutes. Don’t overload the dryer though. You need the hot air to circulate. Vacuum your luggage and then store it in your garage or basement, away from where you sleep. Be sure to remove the vacuum bag, double bag it and throw it away. I know all of this seems excessive, but it is well worth the hassle. Getting rid of bed bugs can be very expensive.
Thos003: That is some great advice. I’ve got some of my own precautions I use when traveling. The bit about keeping the luggage away from the bed and floor is priceless. But honestly never considered placing it in the tub. Thanks! I am sure there are lot of people searching the internet right now for some tips on controlling bed bugs. Lot of good and some bad advice online as well. Are there some other resources people should use online for bed bug advice?
Griffin: Yes. Be proactive before you travel, check out www.bedbugregistry.com and www.tripadvisor.com. On these sites, consumers report bed bugs. BedBugRegistry is straight forward. However, on TripAdvisor, you will need to search by city name and key words “bed bugs”, and then read the consumer comments. If a property is listed or a consumer comments about bed bugs, you may want to stay somewhere else.
Thos003: Awesome. And while these precautions may seem extreme, getting a bed bug infestation in my own home isn’t something I would ever want to experience. So again, great advice. I would also add one more tidbit for the holiday season, send all of your new clothes through a dry cycle when you bring them home from your Christmas Shopping.
Learn more about bedbugs on www.GriffinPestSolutions.com webpage about Bed Bugs.
Don’t let the Bed Bugs Bite, or ruin your mattress
The Beginning of the Bed Bug Epidemic
After a recent visit from an exterminator declaring they were indeed infested with bed bugs the Wilmington Fire Station threw out mattresses, upholstered furniture and carpets, anything that might be housing the bed bugs. And these little blood suckers cost more then a few drops of blood. The total cost to the fire station was over $5000 between the loss of the furniture and the pest controller’s bill of $800+.
ABC reported on the matter first. Also citing a CDC saying bedbugs are up by 500% over the last few years. Considering that bed bugs had been virtually eradicated from the US over 20 years ago, that number doesn’t do the Bed Bug epidemic justice.
Fortunately doctors still have not found any serious health risks associated with bedbugs or the spread of disease through bedbugs.
Interesting points specifically about this bed bug case – Was it really necessary to throw out all the furniture?
Perhaps not, but throwing away old mattresses that need to be replaced anyways will certainly help cure a bed bug problem. Perhaps consumers should consider the old adage, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
And prevention is easy. A proper mattress cover will thwart any attacks made by bedbugs on your resting place. Yes, it really is that simple. No need to pay $300 per room as some exterminators quote for bedbug treatments.
Get a mattress cover today so you can rest easy… pun intended.
“Former President Clinton recently had to clear out of his office for a few days because it’s infested with bed bugs.” according to the New York Times laugh line… but bed bugs isn’t a laughing matter for pest control companies and victims of this spreading epidemic.
Sure its funny to insinuate that Clinton has a new guest in his bed, or multiple bed buddies for that matter, but these guests are blood suckers. Bed bugs are nocturnal insects that feast on the host. The bites are painless since they inject a numbing agent which keeps the victim from feeling the bed bugs while they feast. Most infestations go unnoticed for a couple of weeks as they feed and reproduce more feeders. Victims usually begin to note something unusual after their skin breaks out with red eruptions. Some of these sever cases require medical attention for the skin irritations. But by the time all of this has happened the bed bugs have not only infested the bed, but have moved on to couches and out the door with clothing. Within relatively short periods of time entire apartments, hospitals, and other structures are crawling with this tiny invaders. And so the epidemic roles forward.
Perhaps its good that this problem has finally bitten a politician. Of course, one blood sucker may have compassion on the other blood sucker. And since “politics” can be broken down into “poli” meaning “many” and “tics” meaning “blood sucking creatures” we may be able to conclude that they are indeed in bed together.
Bed bugs have become a major concern for pest control companies. Calls for bed bug service are pouring in around the nation. The National Management Control Association says they’ve seen a 71% increase in bed bug related calls. New York reported that bed bug infestations increased 34% during the past year. Where are these bed bugs coming from? Why are bed bugs on the rise?
Authorities want to point fingers at international travelers. They believe that individuals traveling abroad bring back the pests in clothes and in suit cases. Travelers within the US may also pick up these pests from hotels that are frequented by international travelers and bring them home. But what’s even more frightening is that idea that these bed bugs are moving out of the bed and into couches, airplanes, and movie theaters! …YIKES!
After a 50 year slump these bugs are back with a vengeance. And Pest Control companies are perplexed on how to solve the problem. They don’t fall under general pest control treatments. Realistically it takes special equipment and several interior treatments to rid a home of bed bugs. Plus its recommended that residents wash all of their laundry around the same time to kill of any bed bugs that are hiding in clothes. And according to pest control companies that attended the recent EPA: National Bed Bug Summit ,”Residents are a problem and are sometimes unwilling to cooperate or engage in behaviors to manage pests” ….Residents are a further nuisance because… “Preventative and ongoing inspection is necessary to address the problem, … residents and property managers do not cooperate or do not consider pest inspections to be a priority” The conclusion therefore is that IPM which integrates the residents doesn’t work.
It seems that ultimately those in attendance still don’t have a solid solution for controlling bed bugs. They made suggestions like “Property managers must be certified pest control operators to treat their own properties.” to ideas like “Pest Control Companies should be certified in bed bugs and there should be a national accrediting body for those pest control operators.” In the end, the biggest complaint from PCOs was that the EPA has restricted the use of products that use to work for bed bugs. So it seems they believe the only solution using the current products is a program that both the residents and PCOs can work together on and both share some of the burdens of failure or success. Needless to say, “We need to educate the public” was among the better solutions they came up with at the summit. So at least they all seemed to agree on one thing… There is a Bed Bug Epidemic and that the public needs to know about it.
But don’t worry they plan on holding another Bed Bug Summit to further discuss the problem and possible solutions.
Read EPA’s Full report here: http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/cb/ppdc/bedbug-summit/partic-recom.pdf
Bed Bugs 2009 summit was held April 14th.
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