The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has been in an all-out war against bloodsucking bed bugs since students returned to campus from the winter break.  The critters were first thought to inhabit one dorm unit in one building but as the weeks have gone on more students have complained of strange bites marks and itchy bite wounds.  Inspections by a pest control professional have confirmed that bed bugs are wide-spread throughout several campus dorm buildings and several student lounges.  The source of the infestation is still a mystery.

SiouxCityJournal.com reported on February 1, 2012 that University officials have said that they have spent $20,000 trying to kill the bed bugs since January 9, 2012.  Because of the widespread infestation on the campus, officials are anticipating eradication costs to elevate upwards to $100,000!  Bed bugs have been found in closets, couches, lobby areas, and 25 dorm rooms in three different buildings.  Reports are that the University has purchased eight thermal pouches that will heat smaller items to kill the bed bugs and has bought a carbon dioxide machine to freeze the bloodsuckers as well.  In addition, the University has decided to use heat treatment to bake the bed bugs in the infested rooms. You may read the article here.

A bed bug sniffing dog has been brought in to help identify the exact location of the bed bugs in the housing units.  Bed bug sniffing dogs are extremely accurate at detecting adult, nymphs, and bed bug eggs.  They are even able to alert when bed bug skins are found.  A door-to-door bed bug search is now underway at the campus and the University has vowed to continue working until all bugs are killed.  The University is considering bringing in additional sniffer dogs from Minneapolis to help with this ongoing campus crisis.

Bed bug infestations can be overcome, but it will be a difficult task that requires the expertise of a licensed pest control professional.  Stern Environmental Group provides excellent bed bug eradication services in New York and New Jersey.

As 2011 is nearing its end, you might have thought that you were becoming safer from bed bug infestations.  NYC pest control professionals warn residents to not let their guard down lest these creepy pests sneak in and wreak havoc in your home or business.  Published in August of 2011, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the University of Kentucky released their 2011 “Bugs Without Borders Survey”.  The compelling information provides insight as to where we stand in the war against America’s bed bugs.

The new survey from the NPMA reveals that 99% of the pest control professionals that were surveyed confirmed that they have treated bed bug infestations during the past 12 months.  Of those who responded, 73% believe that bed bugs are they most difficult pest to treat.  Infestations are occurring in homes as well as public arenas such as college dorms, hotels, schools, retail stores, day care centers hospitals, movie theaters, airplanes, taxis, buses, and apartment buildings.

Nationwide, the increase in reports of bed bug infestations is staggering in comparison to information collected just one year prior.  According to the NPMA, examples of bed bugs increasing include:

• College dorms:  Current: 54% – Previous 35%
• Hotels/Motels:  Current:  80% – Previous 67%
• Nursing Homes:  Current:  46% – Previous 25%
• Office Buildings:  Current:  38% – Previous 18%
• Schools/Day Care Centers:  Current:  36% – Previous 10%
• Hospitals:  Current:  31% – Previous 12%
• Transportation (train, bus, taxi):  Current: 18% – Previous 9%
• Movie Theaters:  Current:  17% – Previous 5%

You may read these and more bed bug statistics from the National Pest Management here.

A NYC pest control expert like Stern Environmental Group can help you pin-point the exact location of your bed bug infestation problem.  We have multiple treatment options available and state-of-the art equipment to kill bloodsucking bed bugs with the greatest of ease.

Like New York City bed bugs, bed bug infestations in Canada have proven to be a difficult pest for home and business owners to eradicate.  Like NYC pest control professionals, Canadian pest control experts have had to come up with creative ways to try to combat the bloodsucking parasites to stop them dead in their tracks.

Many libraries in the United States and Canada have suffered from bed bug infestations.  Libraries are particularly susceptible to bed bugs because people often read books in their bed and place the book on the bed, nightstand, dresser or other nearby furniture piece.  If a home has an ongoing bed bug infestation, it is very easy for tiny bed bugs to crawl into the book binding area or between the pages of the books.  These books are then transported back to the library where they have infested books, pictures, tables, chairs, and upholstered furniture.  Additionally, females could easily lay eggs within the book that would not be detected by untrained personnel.  Those eggs would have the opportunity to be delivered back to the library, hatch, and then venture out to bite other library patrons, or even hitch a ride home with another host thereby spreading the infestation.

A Library System in Canada, which shares books and other materials among 18 libraries, spent several months battling bed bugs that were inadvertently transported from one library location to several other library locations.  In an effort to avoid that bed bug nightmare from occurring again, they have decided to use the NightWatch Bed Bug Monitor reported The Globe and Mail on December 12, 2011.  The monitors/traps will be used in the trucks that transport library books and materials between the different libraries within the system, but are not designed to work in a space as large as the libraries.  In addition to using the NightWatch Bed Bug Monitor, bed bug sniffing dogs will be called to root out the bloodsuckers if there are any bed bugs that the NightWatch captures.

Stern Environmental Group offers the NightWatch Bed Bug Monitor in our online Marketplace as well as many other fantastic bed bug products for both home and business owners.

Dogs have powerful olfactory abilities.  For years, the noses of dogs have been used to help humans in a wide variety of tasks.  Dogs are being used to sniff out missing persons, drugs, bombs, weapons, arson, mold, termites, and most recently as bed bug detectors.  They boast amazing accuracy, from 96 to 98 percent in finding bed bug infestations.  Like other types of detection dogs, bed bug sniffing dogs undergo rigorous training prior to being placed in the line of duty.  Once they begin work, they require daily training to keep their skills honed.

They are cute and cuddly and have names like Disney characters, and they are a new force to be reckoned with in New York City.  Two new beagles, with a powerful nose, and a will to please, have joined the fray of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development last week.  These well-trained pups are the new additions that will help Code Enforcement uncover New York City bed bug infestations throughout the city.

According to Reuters on November 18, 2011, the cost to acquire the bed bug sniffing dogs were $69,000 which covers “six months of training and pay for their continued schooling, veterinary care and insurance, and food and housing for their first year of service.”  Reports are the each dog and their handler will perform up to twelve inspections per day.  On their first day on the job, three violations to landlords were handed out.

You may read the article here.

Bed bug sniffing dog inspections are fast and accurate.  While human inspections for bed bugs are good, it can be several hours to complete an inspection thoroughly.  Bed bug dogs are able to breeze through any inspection in a short period of time.  If the dog finds bed bugs, their eggs, fecal matter, or bed bug skins, these amazing dogs will alert their handler to the location of the critters so that you will know exactly where treatment is needed.

Stern Environmental Group is proud to offer bed bug sniffing dog services to our customers as well.  We provide highly trained bed bug canine services to New York City, New York, and New Jersey.

Continuing from Monday…

To date, there have already been a number of colleges and universities throughout the United States that have reported having trouble with bed bug infestations.  Maysville Community and Technical College has found them in their tutoring center.  Wake Forest University had bed bug infestations thriving in 2% of their dorm rooms and the dorm rooms at Old Dominican University have the buggers lurking around too.  This is likely only the beginning of the bed bug nightmare for many college students!

New Jersey pest control experts report that many colleges throughout the United States are being proactive by having pest control experts at the ready in case an outbreak occurs.  If the bloodsuckers are discovered, colleges are using high tech devices such as heat treatment, Cryonite, pesticides, and bed bug sniffing dogs to clear any area of the infestation to have the least amount of disruption and to keep students healthy and safe.

The recent study from the National Pest Management Association called “2011 Bugs Without Borders Survey” revealed that 73% of pest control professionals believe that bed bugs are the most difficult pest to eradicate.  Upon arriving at any campus dorm room, New Jersey pest control experts recommend that you carefully examine the room for bed bugs prior to bringing in any personal belongings.  Bed bugs can easily be lurking in the tufts and seams of the bed so you so definitely buy a Protect-A-Bed Mattress Encasement. The encasement will not only fully encase the entire mattress, trapping any potential bed bugs or their eggs inside (forever), they will also keep bed bugs from being able to make a nest on the mattress if any exist in the room or hitchhike their way inside at a later date.

Always remember, avoiding bed bugs is easier than dealing with an infestation!