Continuing from Wednesday…

It should be noted that I was quite thorough in my inspection of my first hotel room.  I removed and inspected each of the dresser and nightstand drawers, inspected the curtains, floorboards, clock, telephone, picture frames, headboard and of course the bed and bedding.  The bed bug infestation that I found was localized at the foot of the bed, in the seam of the mattress, and yet the bed bug sniffing dog found several hot spots in the room that I completely missed.  It is estimated that humans are about 30% accurate on their visual inspections for bed bugs, and bed bug sniffing dogs are about 98% accurate.

Clearly, this particular hotel considers a bed bug infestation to be a serious matter when it is discovered at their establishment.  Once there was confirmation from pest control that there was indeed a bed bug infestation in my first room, they jumped into action to remedy the situation.  Mind you, I did bring management ACTUAL bed bugs, in various stages of their development; but I do appreciate their attention to detail in this matter regardless.

Their first step in treating their bed bug problem was to immediately move the guests that were staying in the hotel room on either side of the infested room.  Once those rooms were in quarantined off, pest control and the bed bug sniffing dog were called in.  My initial room was chemically treated as well as the adjoining rooms.  The real surprise came when I was informed that it was hotel policy to completely strip the room of its contents when there is a bed bug infestation.  Under the cover of night, every single removable item (including the carpet) in that room was wrapped in plastic and removed.  I was assured by the hotel staff that everything in the room would NOT be sent out for fumigation, but instead would be incinerated!  WOW!

If you have a bed bug infestation, contact Stern Environmental Group for the most up-to-date bed bug products and services, including the always reliable bed bug sniffing dog services.

Stay tuned for more vacation follies.  Blood sucking bed bugs are alive and feasting on folks in Philadelphia.  I was lucky; many of my friends were not!

In previous entries of my vacation follies, I’ve been sharing of my bed bug filled adventures in Philadelphia, PA.  I have purposely chosen to not reveal the 5 star hotel in question because I do believe that the actions that they took regarding the bed bug infestation that I encountered were exemplary!  If all hotels handled their bed bug infestations the same way, there would definitely be a decline in bed bug reports and lawsuits against hotels.

Continuing on with my adventure…

Upon leaving the hotel to head over to the convention center, I was assured by the hotels general manager that their pest control company was called and that they were on their way to investigate and treat my previous bed bug infested hotel room.  I reminded her that I wanted my new room sprayed for bed bugs just in case the buggers decided to make a run for it to my new local.

Several hours later I returned back to my lovely suite that overlooked the river, with fabulous views of the city, to find something interesting in my room.  Pest control was there, which made we quite happy.  In addition, he brought along a friend…a bed bug sniffing dog!  Knowing that bed bug sniffing dogs are one of the best tools that can be used when fighting bed bugs, I was quite pleased to see this amazing dog in action up close and personal!  The dog was able to inspect the entire suite in about five minutes.   I breathed a sigh of relief when they told me that the bed bug sniffing dog did not have a positive hit at any location in my new room.  I inquired about my previous room and found that the dog had indeed found several positive hits in that room.

Please check back on Friday for the part 2.

With all of the bed bug infestations blanketing newspapers and the internet this past month, it’s a pretty hot topic among folks.  I was just having a conversation with my neighbor about bed bugs and I told her that bed bugs could wreak havoc if they landed in the wrong hands and were purposely set loose in a public establishment.  She thought I was a bit off my rocker.  It’s bad enough that we all need to look for them in hotels and motels, and wonder if they are in the airline seat, rental car, train, bus, taxi, or movie theaters that we are sitting in.  We are not even safe from these blood suckers if we become ill and require a trip to the hospital or are visiting someone there, because bed bugs can be ready to pounce.

Then I read an article last night about the plastic baggie of live bed bugs there were found a few weeks ago at a Des Moines city building. The open baggie was found by custodians but not before the prickly pests had time to escape and run for cover in the Des Moines Armory which houses many public offices.  It is only now that they are finding out how bad the infestation is.

Officials believe that the bed bugs were left by someone who was seeking revenge against the city for some unknown reason.  Really, why else would a bag filled with live bed bugs be left in a building?

Forget chemical warfare, this is bed bug warfare!  The building has undergone fumigation services three times, but according to the bed bug sniffing dog and the employees itchy bites, the bed bugs refuse to die.  So far, the City of Des Moines has forked out $1,200 for fumigation costs.  Heat treatment for the building will cost the city an additional $5,000.  Without a doubt, employees have taken the blood suckers home with them as well.  Who assumes the cost for those bed bug infestations?  What a nightmare!

For protection, maybe I will just train my own dog to be a bed bug sniffing dog!

If you live in New York or New Jersey, you have likely heard about the unfortunate bed bug infestation problems that have been popping up in upscale retail establishments in Manhattan lately. Abercrombie & Fitch Co closed a store in the South Street Seaport and on Fifth Avenue because of bed bug infestations.  Preppy teen clothing store Hollister was hit and had to shut their doors due to an infestation.  Just this past week, Victoria’s Secret discovered that they too had bed bugs at one of their New York City locations.

Each of the stores treated their respected bed bug infestations in different ways; but it makes you wonder if it is safe to shop at any store because of the potential of bringing bed bugs home.  As a great customer service gesture, Hollister offered bed bug sniffing dog services to their customers.  Most people checked out fine, but some Hollister customers did indeed test positive for bed bug infestations.

Some pest control experts have gone on the record and said that the stores in question have reopened too quickly and that customers are still at risk of bringing home the creepy blood suckers.  Bed bugs are difficult to eradicate in a building, and the infestation could still be looming, despite the fact that the merchandise in question was removed and gas fumigation was used on the clothing.  It should be noted that Victoria’s Secret decided to destroy all of their affected merchandise rather than put it through the fumigation process.

People used to just be concerned about bed bugs when they travel to hotels and motels because bed bugs are known to be problematic occurrences.  These recent retail bed bug incidents make you worried to shop, as it brings to light the fact that bed bugs could be anywhere at any moment in time.  If you think you have encountered bed bugs in New York or New Jersey, contact a bed bug expert today!

In continuation from Wednesday…

Horrified, the hotel’s executive manager asked if I was there to investigate the hotel for a story.  I told no, that in fact I was in town for the singing convention.  I did tell her that I found something terrible in my hotel room that needed addressed immediately.  I then opened up the folded cardboard that I was carrying and explained to her that they were Cimex Lectularius, otherwise known as bed bugs!  I told her that I would require a new room; far away from the room I had been assigned.  I also asked if my new room could be sprayed for bed bugs since I knew that that hotel had an infestation problem.  The executive manager quickly agreed to my request and assigned me a fabulous suite far away from the bed bug nightmare in room 2112…hopefully!

I was assured that pest control would be called immediately and that the room, along with the rooms on either side of 2112, would be in quarantine while the “situation” was being handled. I did ask the hotel if they ever used a bed bug sniffing dog at their establishment.  I explained how dogs are far more accurate at finding infestations than humans are.  She said that their pest control company employs a beagle.

I arrived at my new suite and spent the next hour inspecting for bed bugs.  This room appeared to be in the clear, but as long as pest control was paying a visit, I would sleep better knowing that my new room was treated for bed bugs too!

Upon inspecting my new room, I did find something under the head board that I was not anticipating seeing…a mouse trap!  When I left the hotel later that day to head over to the convention, I asked the executive manager if they were having a mice infestation problem.  She looked terrified as she asked if my new room had a mouse in it.  I then asked if it was customary to leave mice traps in the guest rooms.  She of course said “no” and hung her head in disgust…first bed bugs and now a mouse trap!  When I arrived back at my suite, the mouse trap was removed.  Left on the granite bar was a huge gift bag filled with scrumptious chocolates, candy, drinks, delicious snacks, and a note of apology for the “incident in room 2112”.

Stay tuned for more bed bug adventures in Philadelphia! There’s more than just one hotel in Philadelphia with bed bugs!

Continuing from Monday…

I took note of the fact that the hotel did not use a Climbup Insect Interceptor or a Mattress Encasement, both of which could help protect customers from bed bugs.

It was then time to tackle the bed.  It was a beautiful pillow top bed, covered in a white goose down comforter and white sheets.  I flipped all of the bedding to the center of the bed and began my inspection.  I quickly realized that I was in trouble…there was a suspicious pile of black pepper like debris sandwiched in between the pillow top layers near the foot of the bed.

Despite what I saw, and all that I know about bed bugs, I was in denial about the fact that I was likely looking at a pile of bed bug excrement.  I took a piece of cardboard advertisement from the room and folded it up like a box and began to gather the pieces of my find with tweezers.  Still in denial, I tried to convince myself that what I was picking up was some sort of crumbs…only how could they have gotten under the sheet in between the pillow top?  Logic prevailed and I continued my search in hopes of finding an actual bed bug to confront the hotel management with.  It did not take long for me to unearth several bed bugs, in several different stages of their life cycle.  The bugs clearly had a face and legs.  One was dead, several were alive.  I folded up my evidence, gathered my belongings, and quickly exited the once pristine room.

On the way to the lobby a nice lady in a suit entered the elevator.  She asked me if I was leaving the hotel.  I said “no, I just arrived”.  Just then the doors opened and more people boarded the elevator.  She looked at me with a confused look and asked “Is there a problem with your room?” I told her “Yes, but you might want to speak to me in private.”  We silently rode to the bottom and she asked if I could follow her to a private location.  It was then that I told her that I worked in the pest control industry.  I also told her that I am a writer.

Please check back on Friday for the conclusion.

A pest extermination company located in Manhattan claimed that the commercial market for bed bug treatments is growing three times faster than the residential market. Yes indeed, bed bugs are invading hotels, banks, hospitals, offices and perhaps even haberdashery shops at a fast pace. Restaurants are also having bed bug infestations. Retail shops are also having problems with the odious insects. They seem to be everywhere.

What can people do in their battle against the horrible bed bugs? Well, don’t put used furniture in your residence, especially the furniture dumped along roads. People dump the furniture not because they find it boring but often because it is infested with bed bugs.

Bed bug monitors are very effective at providing early detection that the little critters have invaded your residence. If you think you have a bed bug infestation hire the services of a bed bug pest control company that provides the services of highly trained bed bud detection dogs. They are superior to humans at finding bed bugs.

Continuing from Thursday…

Not only is Josimar Ferreira accused of operating a Massachusetts extermination company without being certified, but it has been reported that he has also allegedly maintained pest control companies in New Jersey and New York as well.  Both New Jersey and New York have cited Ferreira for operating an unlicensed pesticide business.  It makes you wonder how he is able to obtain toxic pesticides, without being properly licensed.  Clearly there was a breakdown…in three states!

Stern Environmental Group has been providing expert bed bug and pest control services in New Jersey and New York for over ten years.  We pride ourselves on providing our customers with the safest pesticide application available, and offer a wide variety of services and products to meet many different types of needs.  We offer professional services to both residential and business customers alike.  Whether you are looking for help with bed bugs, rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, groundhogs, ants, spiders, cockroaches, or bee control, Stern Environmental Group’s licensed pest control applicators are here to lend a helping hand!

Continuing from Thursday…

The trouble is that disinfecting a building will not get rid of bed bugs as an infestation is not caused by being unclean.  Even the cleanest five star hotels have been subjected to bed bug infestations.  The metal bunk beds could be a good solution, but since bed bugs are good at hiding, any crack, crevice, or even a screw hole is an invitation for bed bugs to await their next blood meal…the residents.  Bug bombs are not good to use on bed bug infestations.  Instead of killing off the pests, these stubborn blood suckers tend to scatter to surrounding rooms when bug bombs are used, thereby spreading the infestation faster.

Additionally, the Salvation Army is hoping that the heat that is generated in the box truck will be high enough to kill off the existing bed bugs that are infesting the bunk beds.  According to their spokesperson, the beds are due to be donated at a later date once the bugs are dead.

Because the resident’s belongings were not treated, there will likely be more bed bugs at the facility.  Bed bug monitors, bed bug sniffing dogs, and Cryonite are super effective in the war against bed bugs!

There is quite a bit of interesting information floating around the internet about how to properly treat a bed bug infestation.  Some people follow bad advice and end up spending time and money treating the problem only to have them return with a vengeance.  It’s important that you have a good pest control specialist on your side who knows exactly how to properly treat bed bugs!

The Salvation Army shelter in Fayetteville, North Carolina has been battling bed bugs for more than a year.  This past weekend, 25 volunteers stepped in to help the agency scrub the walls with bleach, buff the floors and haul away thirty wooden bunk bed that were infested with the blood suckers.

Reports are that the facility started their day off by setting of “bug bombs” prior to the cleaning and taking all of the infected beds to an awaiting box truck outside.  The agency reported that the beds were replaced with metal bunk beds so bed bugs could not “burrow into the wood”. The old mattresses were replaced with hypoallergenic ones that are wrapped in thick plastic.

Only some of their efforts sound like a good plan.

Please check back on Tuesday for the conclusion.