Bed bugs are the scourge of the cities throughout the United States.  New York City pest control experts say that they creep into beds during the wee hours of the morning when you least expect them, seeking the blood of their victims.  Bed bug infestations often go un-noticed for many months once they are in your home.  Their tiny size and sneaky behavior allows them the opportunity to hide in the smallest of cracks or crevices.  For many people, once bed bugs are discovered, they have a full-blown bed bug infestation on their hands.

Before now, the cost of bed bug eradication services has always been allocated to the victims of the blood thirsty pests.  To date there has been much debate as to who is responsible for paying for bed bug removal services in rental properties and some states have now enacted laws specifying exactly what the financial responsibilities are for either party.  Because bed bugs are masterful hitchhikers, it can be difficult to pin-point the exact location where a person has encountered the creatures.  Retail stores, hotels, motels, movie theaters, airplanes, and the like are all at risk of bed bug related law suits from consumers who claim to have brought home bed bugs after visiting their establishment.

Until recently, insurance companies have steered clear of bed bug infestation coverage.   Willis North America announced today that it is now offering bed bug infestation insurance protection for the hotel and residential industry.  According to the press release…the insurance provides…”Comprehensive Insurance Solution Incudes Crisis Management Component to Reduce Brand Damage.”

The insurance offered will cover the cost of eradication, rehabilitation expenses, loss of profit due to business interruption, and risk control techniques. The coverage also provides a 24/7 crisis management team to help reduce brand damage by communicating with the media, public health authorities, customers, employees, and regulatory authorities.

This insurance coverage is being offered to hotels, hospitality and residential property owners and is intended to fill the gap that exists under standard property and liability policies.

New York City pest control experts would like to convey the message that reports of bed bug infestations continue to climb from state to state.  Many government officials think that despite the increase bed bug infestations, people should not panic if their home or business happens to become infested.  So far, most experts believe that bed bugs do not transmit diseases to humans, despite the fact that they are known carriers of many different dangerous pathogens.  A recent report out of Canada however, found methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on a few bed bugs that were collected from hospital patients and subsequently studied.

There is currently no government agency or industry that keeps exact track of the number of bed bug infestations throughout the United States, but pest control experts now confirm that bed bugs are present in all 50 states.

Industry experts believe that the biggest threat that bed bugs pose to consumers is from the misapplication of pesticides.  Out of desperation to rid their homes of the blood thirsty pests, some people have resorted to dangerous home remedies or have hired unqualified pest control contractors who are inexperienced in bed bug eradication procedures.

Throughout the US, there have been people who have become ill by dousing their homes, bedding, children, and bodies with pesticides and other chemicals such as gasoline to try to keep the bed bugs from attacking each night.  Some people discover bed bugs and will quickly choose to use a “fogger” type product.  These types of products do not work on bed bug infestations as they cause bed bugs to scatter from their hiding spots and travel through the walls into adjacent rooms, making the infestation larger than before.  In other cases, inexperienced pest control applicators have used outdoor chemicals indoors, or inappropriate amounts of pesticides indoors, causing homeowners to become ill.

When you are suffering from a bed bug infestation in your home or business, it’s important to hire a pest control professional with extensive experience in bed bug eradication.  For expert bed bug removal services in New York and New Jersey, contact Stern Environmental Group.  We have a variety of safe and effective treatment methods available that are proven to work!

New York City pest control experts can attest that multi-unit buildings face a variety of hurdles when it comes to bed bug eradication procedures.  Bed bugs are elusive creatures that hide in cracks and crevices, floors, baseboards, picture frames, electrical items, and all parts of the bed.  Additionally, bed bugs can also be lurking within the walls of any building.  They utilize electrical wires and pipes as a bed bug super highway to travel from place to place, striking their victims during the wee hours of the morning.

In many parts of the United States, there is great controversy as to who is responsible for bed bug eradication services once an infestation is present within a rental unit.  A Fort Myers, Florida family claims that they moved into an apartment three months ago and are now battling a severe bed bug infestation.  According to reports, their complaints to the apartment manager have fallen on deaf ears as no pest control services have been offered.  The family claims that they have had to throw out their beds and their couch due to the bed bug infestation.

Unlike New York City bed bug regulations, many states do not have clear cut laws on the books to protect all renters when it comes to bed bug infestations.  The bed bug laws for rental properties in Florida are a bit wishy washy.  Fort Myers Code Enforcement officials say that eradication costs depend on what is written in the lease.  In Florida, the general rule is that occupants renting a single family home can expect to pay for bed bug services while occupants in a multi-unit building can expect landlords to cover the cost of killing the buggers…unless it is stated in the lease differently.  Not having clear cut guidelines as to who is responsible for bed bug eradication services often will cause a delay in treatment procedures which allows bed bugs to multiply at alarming rates.

All states should develop definitive bed bug regulations for landlords and tenants to follow so that bed bug infestations are eradicated quickly and are not able to spread to multiple units.

Continuing from Monday…

• PackTite Portable Bed bug Killing Heat Chamber – The PackTite is a must have for any business traveler.  This innovative device will kill adult, nymph, and bed bug eggs by baking them to death.  The PackTite is portable and will heat items up to approximately 130 degrees.  It is perfect for dry-clean only items, books, luggage, clothing, sensitive fabrics, backpacks, toys, etc.

• Protect-A Bed Products – Protect-A-Bed offers many products that are beneficial for anyone who is concerned about having bed bugs or anyone who has gone through a bed bug infestation.  These amazing encasements are specifically designed for mattresses and box springs.  They come in all bed sizes, twin through king.  You can even keep your little baby safe with the crib mattress encasement.  These revolutionary encasements have a patented BugLock zipper enclosure for extra security that will lock bed bugs in…forever, and keep any new bed bugs from ever being able to infest the mattress or box spring.  You can be assured that you will have a good night’s sleep when you use this encasement because it is made out of “miracle membrane” which has been lab tested and certified to be bed bug bite proof!

• The Bedbug Beacon – This interesting bed bug trap will lure the typically elusive bed bugs from their hiding spots.  It slowly releases C02 gas for up to 11 days, which bed bugs are attracted to, and is perfect for use after bed bug treatment to ensure that the pests are gone.  This device is also great for landlords who would like to make certain that their units are bed bug free prior to the arrival of new tenants.

You can find these as well as other useful bed bug products at Stern Environmental Group.

NYC pest control experts say that New York City bed bugs have caused New Yorkers to become well versed on the blood thirsty creatures that attack in the night.  In fact, New Yorkers are apparently so well versed in bed bug reality that they know more about bed bug education than your average American does, according to a major online retailer of anti-bed-bug gear.

It is estimated that one out of every five American’s has encountered bed bugs, or knows of someone who has had bed bugs since the resurgence of the bloodsuckers a few years ago.  Because of the severity of New York bed bug infestations, many New Yorkers have been proactive by purchasing items to help prevent bed bug infestations, and have taken a hands-on approach in the monitoring and treatment of the creepy critters.

NYC pest control experts report that grocery store type bed bug treatment remedies typically do not work in the treatment of bed bug infestations.  There are some bed bug products however that do provide aid for travelers and home use as well.  The most frequently purchased bed bug items that are ordered are high quality and can be found at Stern Environmental Group.

Here are a few commonly purchased items:

• BugZip Luggage Bags and Drawer Liner Bags – These zippered bags are great for the upcoming summer travel season. They can be used to encase your entire suitcase or can be filled with clothing and placed inside of a dresser drawer while on travel.  These bags are heavy duty and will keep all types of creepy bugs from being able to hitch a ride home with you while you are on vacation or a business trip.  They can also be used to store clean clothing, or other possessions, when your home is undergoing bed bug eradication services by a pest control professional.

Please check back on Wednesday for the conclusion.