Continuing from Monday…

Registering New/Existing/Legacy Pesticides for the Professional Market for the Control of Bed Bugs – Recent studies have shown that bed bugs of this generation are becoming pesticide resistant. The NPMA is asking the Environmental Protection Agency to review their pesticide registration process and eliminate or minimize barriers to introducing new bed bug pesticide products.  The NPMA suggests that the EPA have an “accelerated review of new products, adjustment of registration fees, and determine if those changes can be made administratively or require a statutory fix.”

Assigning of Specific Responsibilities to Landlords, Tenants & Pest Management Professionals (PMPs) in the Management & Prevention of Bed Bug Infestations in Multi-Family Housing – Recognizing that bed bug infestations in multi-family housing units cannot be properly managed without the cooperation of tenants, landlords, and pest management professionals, the NPMA supports statewide measures outlining clear guidelines that all parties should follow when an infestation occurs.  The NPMA believes that it is important to place no blame on anyone who is suffering with a bed bug infestation.

Including Bed Bugs in the Legal Definition of “Vermin or “Pest” – Bed bug infestations not only cause significant financial strains on consumers, they can also cause negative health issues.  Reactions to bed bug bites vary from person to person and range from mild to severe.  Additionally, many people report suffering adverse emotional and psychological side effects from having a bed bug infestation.  Government agencies across the United States continue to regard bed bug infestations as a “nuisance”, but for those who suffer through the relentless bloodsucking attacks, these bugs are worse than a “nuisance”  The NPMA supports and encourages efforts made to add bed bugs to a jurisdiction or health code’s legal definition of the term “vermin” or “pest”.

The NPMA has generously given Stern Environmental Group approval to have these valuable bed bug related documents available on our Blog to provide all consumers and pest control professionals’ important bed bug information to review.

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is a non-profit organization which was established in 1933.  With over 5,000 members, the NPMA is dedicated to providing comprehensive information to pest control professionals, consumers, educators and the media as a means of protecting public’s health, food supply and property.  They serve as a leading authority for common household pests and have continued to be a positive voice for the pest control industry.

Recognizing the impact that bed bug infestations are taking on citizens across the United States, the NPMA has recently released new consumer information.  Here is a summary of the NPMA’s positions on certain bed bug related issues:

Formation of State/Municipal Bed Bug Task Force/Working Group/Advisory Committee – The NPMA supports the formation of bed bug task forces at state and municipal government levels.  Additionally, the NPMA believes that each state should have bed bug regulation, especially policy related to bed bug management activities which should be governed by the state lead pesticide regulatory agency.  One state governed agency would alleviate confusion and conflicting municipal ordinances.

Government Funded Bed Bug Research – The NPMA is asking the United States government, in particular, Congress, to authorize and make funds available for bed bug research.

White Paper on Bed Bug Related Public Policy Issues – Due to the resurgence of bed bugs in the United States, many of elected officials in the United States are listening to constituents’ complaints about the bloodsuckers.  This NPMA White Paper clarifies some of the bed bug policy issues that are of great importance to the NPMA.

Please check back on Wednesday for the conclusion.

Mommy’s always said “Sleep tight; don’t let the bed bugs bite” before we were tucked into bed at night.  In 2011, avoiding a bed bug infestation is difficult under the best of circumstances.  Those blood thirsty bugs are popping up at movie theaters, hospitals, airplanes, hotels, office buildings, schools, subways, and everywhere in between.  Once the warmer weather starts to settle in, New Jersey pest control experts believe that we will soon be seeing a spike NYC and NJ bed bug infestation reports.

Bed bugs are sneaky travel companions as they will easily hitchhike their way into your clothes or suitcases while you travel. With the spring break travel season fast approaching, Stern Environmental Group has the perfect travel solutions to help keep your home bed bug free.

The Bed Bug Patch has proven effective at keeping bed bugs away from humans while they sleep.  The Hefty Bedbug Travel Bags works great for storing all of your personal belongings in a giant zippered see-thru storage bag.  The BugZip Luggage Bags and Drawer Liner Bags allow you to place your entire suitcase in the special rectangular shaped plastic bag that you are able to seal shut so bed bugs cannot climb inside.  They are great for using inside of hotel room drawers too.  The Bed Bug Control and Mattress Spray is non-toxic and is safe for use around humans and pets.  It will prevent bed bugs, fleas, ticks and cockroaches from hitching a ride home with you!

In addition to using these great products, it’s important to look for bed bugs or the signs of bed bugs whenever you are traveling.  Remember, despite their name, bed bugs are not only found in beds.  Bed bugs can be found most anywhere that humans frequent.  In a hotel room, check for bed bugs on the mattress and box spring, between the sheets, behind the headboard, and in the bed frame.  You should always look for blood smears, fecal matter, skins, and live or dead bed bugs when you travel.

If you need help getting rid of a NYC or NJ bed bug infestation, contact Stern Environmental Group for expert bed bug eradication services.

Reports of bed bug infestations at any retail establishment are certainly not good news for any business.  In the summer months of 2010, many New York City retailers were under siege by the bloodsucking pests.  It seemed as one news story cooled about a NYC retailer with a bed bug infestation, another huge announcement hit the airwaves that the nasty nibblers had struck an upscale retail establishment.  Were last summer’s attack of the NYC bed bugs media driven or reality?  Definitely both!

Some retail customers are seeking compensation for their encounters with bed bugs at retail establishments.  Similar to lawsuits against hotels, motels, and rental property owners, customers are seeking restitution for bites, itchiness, anxiety, and depression.  Some lawsuits are filed seeking reimbursement for damaged furniture, mattresses, and clothing that had to be discarded because bed bugs allegedly infested people’s homes.

Because of the known behavioral patterns of bed bugs, claimants could potentially have a difficult time proving the exact location that a bed bug was picked up at.  Unless a particular item that was purchased had visible signs of a bed bug infestation, it is unlikely that anyone would be able to prove at a later point in time that bed bugs came from a specific store.

Bed bug lawsuits are still relatively new to the judicial system in every state.  Should retailers fear an onslaught of potential bed bug lawsuits if bed bugs are found in their store?  Maybe not, but the stigma attached to having a bed bug infestation can drive customers away.  It will be interesting to see what the courts decide going forward.

All businesses should develop protocol for when they discover a bed bug infestation so they can minimize the negative media impact and mitigate their damages with customers.  Engaging the services of a licensed pest control professional that provides expert bed bug eradication services is an important step in managing the problem.

Bed bug infestations continue to be reported from coast to coast with no signs of a slow-down in their search for a blood meal.  These unrelenting bloodsuckers have continued to keep New York City pest control experts on high alert as they nibble their way from person to person, office to office, and home to home.

Jeffrey White, a research entomologist at BedBugCentral.com, is predicting that New York City bed bug infestations will soar in 2011!  According to the Daily News, in a recent speech at a seminar, Mr. White said “I firmly believe that this year is going to be worse than last year.”  New York City residents will certainly have a hard time forgetting the parade of bed bugs that plagued a continuous stream of retail establishments month after month in 2010.  The summer months were especially bad, most likely due to the increase in travel by people throughout the United States and international visitors.  Last year, New York City bed bug infestations nearly brought the city to its knees as bed bugs were found aplenty in retail establishments, movie theaters, hotels, office buildings, hospitals, etc.

The only good bed bug, is a dead bed bug!  Let Stern Environmental Group knock out your beastly battle with bed bugs once and for all.  At Stern, you will find a wide variety of bed bug products and services available to meet your needs in fighting these bloodsucking pests.  We offer bed bug concierge service, bed bug treatments for residential and commercial establishments, bed bug sniffing dog service, and a host of information to educate you about bed bug infestations.

For expert bed bug eradication and pest control services in New York City, Long Island, parts of New York States, and New Jersey, contact Stern Environmental Group.