A question that continues to arise for NJ pest control professionals is whether or not bed bugs transmit diseases to humans or pets.  This particular subject is one that has been, and continues to be, a matter of research for scientists around the globe.

The current findings from scientists are that bed bugs do not transmit diseases and that bed bugs are only considered to be a “nuisance pest”.  Anyone who has ever gone through the painstaking task of eliminating a bed bug infestation or is currently enduring one may have a differing opinion than the “experts” in the field do on the subject.

Bed bugs may not currently be known to transmit diseases, but they are known to cause a tremendous amount of trouble for people once they have moved into their homes.  Many people suffer from insomnia, anxiety, painful bites, scarring, and the humiliation from having the little vampires sharing a bed with them.  Bed bug victims are often isolated from friends and family members out of fear of transmitting the pests to other homes.  Relationships have been stressed, as the blood thirsty pests cause significant financial strains and emotional trouble for couples.  Children are affected as they are fearful of sleeping in their own beds and of having someone discover that they have transported the tiny bugs to school.

Scientists have been wrong in their findings of other issues before and it is possible they could eventually be wrong in their findings when it comes to bed bugs as well.  If you have bed bugs in your home or business, contact a NJ pest control expert.  Stop by our website to see the vast array of services that we have available for New York and New Jersey clients.

The Environmental Protection Agency has created a website called the Bed Bug Information Clearinghouse which will benefit pest control professionals, business operators, communities, and homeowners alike.  The material provided on the website is a collaboration of material gathered from federal agencies, state and local government, extension services, and universities.  The Environmental Protection Agency is hoping that this website will serve as a major resource tool for all states as they fight the war against bed bug eradication.

The Bed Bug Information Clearinghouse contains information about bed bug biology, detection and monitoring, non-chemical control of bed bugs, management of bed bugs, pesticides that are used to combat bed bugs, and information on how to prevent bed bug infestations.

Visitors to the website will find interesting bed bug articles, brochures, useful checklists, factsheets, manuals, presentations, videos, and recommended website links that should be frequented.  Users of the Bed Bug Information Clearinghouse will need the current Adobe Reader, which is available for free, to view some of the files that are available on the website.

With this extensive amount of information that is available, anyone who visits this website will be well informed about every aspect of bed bugs.  Although mostly available in English, some of the informational guidelines are also available in Spanish, Chinese and French as well.

The EPA Bed Bug Clearinghouse is a great resource for pest control professionals to utilize for their own informational purposes.  PCP’s should also encourage customers to visit the website so they can learn about prevention and control of these horrific bloodsucking pests.

Continuing from Wednesday…

If bed bugs are found, treatment must be completed to the unit and all of the surrounding units as well.  PHAs may offer special services to tenants such as inspecting furniture, non-chemical treatment of furniture prior to moving into a unit, the use of bed bug detection devices or mattress encasements, but tenants are not required to use the services.  All special services must be incurred at the expense of the PHA.

Public Housing Agencies cannot deny residency to tenants who have had previous bed bug experiences.  Preferential treatment may not be provided to tenants based upon their response to the question regarding exposure to bed bugs.  Any person who lives in a HUD owned Public Housing Unit cannot be charged for bed bug eradication services.  All costs for bed bug eradication must be covered by the PHA.

Recognizing that tenants have some responsibility in controlling bed bugs, tenants must also take an active role in avoiding and eliminating the pests.

In the regulation, “tenants are strongly encouraged to immediately report the suspicion of possible bed bugs in a housing unit or other areas of the property.”  This should be a REQUIREMENT, not an encouragement!  Bed bugs spread very quickly.  It is imperative that pest control professionals be called at the first sign of a bed bug infestation.

Tenants will not be reimbursed for bed bug infested items so it is important for them to cooperate and aid in the eradication process.  When bed bugs are concerned, tenants, PHAs and pest control professionals must all work together for full eradication.

Public Housing Agencies and Pest Control Professionals are encouraged to keep abreast of the new HUD guidelines by reading Notice: PIH-2012-17 provided by HUD.

Any confusion as to who is responsible for a bed bug infestation within any public housing facility may now be put to rest.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has created new bed bug protocol that will protect the tenant and the landlord that will go into effect immediately.

It has been recommended that Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plans be implemented to help control bed bugs as well as other types of household pests and HUD is strongly encouraging Pubic Housing Agencies (PHAs) to incorporate a good IPM plan.  According to HUD, the procedures include:

“Raising awareness through education on the prevention of bed bugs.

Inspecting infested area, plus surrounding living spaces.

Checking for bed bugs in luggage and clothes when returning home from a trip.

Looking for bed bugs or signs of an infestation on secondhand items before bringing the items home.

Correctly identifying the pest. Keeping records indicating dates and locations where pests are found.

Cleaning all items within a bed bug infested living area.

Reducing clutter where bed bugs can hide.

Eliminating bed bug habitats.

Physically removing bed bugs through cleaning.

Using pesticides carefully according to the label directions.

Following up on inspections and possible treatments.”

In the new guidelines, PHA must respond to complaints of bed bugs within 24 hours and discuss what measures will be taken to get rid of the pests with tenants.  Inspection of the unit in question, as well as the units above, below, and on the sides must also be performed within three business days.  If bed bugs are not found, re-inspection must be completed periodically over the next several months.

Please check back on Friday for the conclusion.

New York City bed bugs are reportedly on the decline, but most other locations in the United States are not faring quite as well.  On any given day you can read stories of people who are subjected to bed bugs at their workplace, bed bugs in hotels, and bed bugs in single family homes.  Bed bugs are especially problematic in multi-unit housing units from coast to coast.

Many cities in the State of Ohio have been fighting the bed bug battle and losing ground daily.  In an effort to gain the upper hand on the problem, some landlords are making the tenants responsible for bed bugs by making them sign stringent contracts making them responsible for pest control responsibilities.

10TV.com reported on April 27, 2012 that tenants at a Columbus, Ohio apartment were given a pest control addendum to sign along with their lease renewal.  According to reports, the addendum required the tenants to:

• Certify that their apartment was currently free of bed bugs. – Not bad

• Agree to notify the landlord if any bed bugs were to appear. – Not bad

• Cooperate with pest control if bed bugs appeared. – Not bad

• Pay for all of the costs of extermination! – What!?

• Pay for all of the costs of exterminating other units if the bed bugs spread! – No Way!

• Agree that they would immediately lose their apartment and their lease would be terminated if they had bed bugs! – Wow!

You may read the article here.

Tenants who live in an apartment building are easily subjected to bed bugs that are in any other unit within the building because bed bugs travel between the walls and along the electrical wires and piping.  While some tenants may be honest and tell the landlord that bed bugs have appeared, perhaps another tenant may not be as forthcoming thus allowing bed bugs to spread.

It’s these kinds of strange rules that drive people into silence about bed bug infestations!  Incidentally, the tenants did not sign the addendum and were issued a 30 day notice to vacate the premises!  Unbelievable!