Bed bug infestations continue to experience resurgence throughout cities across the United States.  It should come as no surprise that bed bugs have invaded the living space of the rich and poor, in mansions and tenements, and all types of places in between.  NJ Pest Control professionals have been fighting to kill the little vampires that strike in the night as they are not a do-it-yourself type of pest.

1011Now.com reported on January 19, 2011 that two students found bed bugs in their dorm room at Abel Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  The bed bugs were not discovered until after the students returned from winter break.  The University quickly brought in a pest control professional which then found a significant amount of the pesky critters nesting behind cork board that was hung just over the student’s bed.  As expected, soft items such as bedding and clothing has been laundered to kill the bed bugs.  The University chose thermal heat treatment to bake the bloodsuckers to death.  You may read the article here.

What is surprising to some folks is that just a day later, more bed bugs were found at the University.  According to JournalStar.com on January 20, 2012, another dorm room at Abel Hall, a student room at The Village, and a student lounge have also been found to have creepy bed bugs.  You may read the article here.

The University does not believe that other dorm rooms in the buildings that are affected are at risk of having bed bugs.  In actuality, once bed bugs are in a building with shared walls, it is quite easy for them to move from place to place.  Depending on the level of infestation, bed bugs could be lurking within the walls throughout the entire building.  Always on the hunt for their next victim, bed bugs use electrical wires and plumbing pipes as a bed bug highway to gain access between units.  Because of their small size, they can easily travel between walls as well.  With bed bugs already being found in several locations in the building, it might be wise for the University to consider treating the entire building at one time instead of each dorm room, or common space, that they find the bugs.

Image courtesy of Eugene E. Nelson, Bugwood.org

New Jersey pest control professionals say that the brown marmorated stink bughas been a formidable opponent to deal with.  Stink bugs have been nibbling their way on fruits, vegetables, and a variety of vegetation throughout the mid-Atlantic region since their discovery in Allentown, Pennsylvania in the 1990’s.  Much to the dismay of farmers and homeowners, these destructive pests can now be found in 33 different states.

Stink bugs do not pose a threat to humans, but they have caused considerable distress to home and business owners.  During the summer months, these stinky pests are busy suckling on plant nectar and laying thousands of eggs on the undersides of leaves in gardens and crops.  Now that fall is fast approaching, New Jersey pest control experts say that the brown marmorated stink bug will soon be making its way back to your home or business looking for a place to overwinter during the cold winter months.

Many home and business owners call pest control experts to kill the hundreds or even thousands of stink bugs that congregate on the exterior walls of their structure during the fall months.  As the weather begins to cool, left untreated, some of these stinky pests will make their way under your siding and then creep under your insulation where they will huddle together until they feel the warm spring temperatures.

Some pushier stink bugs will find their way into your home or business through cracks, crevices, screens, windows, open doors, etc.  You’ll initially find them crawling on windows, window sills, or walls until the chilly weather arrives.  They will eventually find a warm spot indoors to overwinter.  On the occasional sunny day, these stinky pests will sneak out of baseboards, carpet edging, closets, electrical outlets, or other hiding spots and bask in the sun, waiting for spring to arrive.  Stink bugs do not breed indoors, but they are a nuisance when you crush or scare them and they release their pungent stench.

Stink bugs populations are difficult to control as most over-the-counter pesticides do not work on these non-native creatures.  Stink bugs can be reduced by having the perimeter of your home treated by a licensed pest control expert.

Bed bug infestations have been a nightmare for hotels, motels, residents and other types of businesses from coast to coast report New York City pest control professionals.  Unlike recent reports of a decline in reports of NYC bed bugs, the grasp that bed bugs have on the state of Ohio has not waned in recent years.  These tenacious bloodsuckers continue to thrive in all types of environments causing serious emotional distress, sleepless nights, and a financial drain on society.

Different states have different laws on the books when it comes to bed bug infestations. In some states, bed bug infestations that are ignored by landlords or building owners open the door to litigation by tenants.  The DesMoinesRegister.com reported on November 11, 2011 that a lawsuit was filed on behalf of about 300 current and former residents of two low-income apartment buildings which houses elderly and disabled residents in Des Moines, Iowa.  The lawsuit claims that the managers of the buildings “turned a blind eye to the growing bed bug infestation for more than two years.”  The residents report that they were repeatedly bitten by the bloodsuckers, forced to sleep on the floor because their furniture was infested, forced to discard furniture, shunned by relatives and landlords, suffered from emotional issues, and incurred medical costs and financial damages.  Just recently, a Judge has ruled that the lawsuit that was filed may proceed as a class action suit on behalf of the tenants against the two apartment buildings.  You may read the article here.

The simple fact is that everyone deserves to sleep in peace in their home without the threat or knowledge of little vampires creeping into their beds at night to suck their blood.  Having to dispose of furniture and personal property because of bed bugs is a terrible burden to carry, especially in today’s troubling economy.  Hiring a licensed pest control professional at the first sign of bed bugs is the only way to stave off a massive bed bug population explosion say NYC pest control professionals.

Continuing from Friday…

Kissing bugs have been predominately found in the southern 2/3 of the United States, but have been moving northeast with insects found as far as Florida.  Like a bed bug, kissing bugs have a flattened body until they receive a blood meal.  Whereas bed bugs climb upon their victims exposed body parts in order to feed, the kissing bug tends to crawl alongside their intended victims.  They use their long proboscis to pierce exposed skin, often around (or on) the lips and eye areas.  Their mouthparts are not capable of biting, only sucking, but their aftermath is still considered to be a “bite”.

Like a bed bug, the kissing bug often goes undetected in homes because it is nocturnal and feeds upon victims while they sleep.  They will join humans inside their beds, but they do not climb on their host, nor will they bite through fabric.  Feeding time ranges from 8 to 15 minutes.  The kissing bug typically feeds every three weeks, but like a bed bug can abstain from receiving a blood meal if necessary.  These bloodsuckers are able to survive for three to six months between dining rituals.

On the upside, despite the fact that kissing bugs hide, they are not as elusive or as small as bed bugs tend to be.  In cases where the kissing bug has been the suspected culprit of the bite wound, a thorough search of the home has yielded a positive hit on finding this menacing pest.  Many times the engorged pest is found hiding in a couch or near bedding materials.

You can prevent kissing bugs from entering your home by removing any wild animal nests in the attic or surround areas.  Firewood piles should be kept away from the structure and pet bedding, as well as pets, should be inspected to be sure that kissing bugs are not in their fur.  A licensed NJ pest control professional will be able to provide proper outdoor insecticide applications to keep kissing bugs, as well as other unwanted pests, out of your home all year long.

They have a somewhat harmless and romanticized name but they are far from any type of bug that you would want to spend any alone time with!  The “kissing bug” is also known as the assassin bug, the Mexican bed bug, and the cone-nosed bug, is bloodthirsty pest to keep a watchful eye out for.  There are several species of kissing bugs within the United States. Some have a painless bite, while others deliver what is considered to be the most painful bite of any type of insect.

There are 16 species and 18 subspecies of Triatoma in the United States. Just like a bed bug, the kissing bug survives solely on the blood of mammals.  These bugs will attack wild and domestic animals, as well as humans.  In North America, opossums, raccoons, rats, armadillos, cats, and dogs have fallen victim to kissing bug attacks.

Kissing bug bite wounds are often misdiagnosed as spider bites, bed bug bites, herpes zoster, flea bites, and erythema multiforme.  In extreme cases, death from anaphylaxis is possible from the bite of a kissing bug.

The main reason that the kissing bug bite is so dangerous is because it can spread Chagas’ disease.  The disease is spread when the kissing bug bites their victim and leaves their feces behind in or near the bite wound.  If a person scratches or rubs the feces into the bite wound, the disease can be contracted.  Some people will show signs of the disease immediately, some will not.  Symptoms include a rash, fever, vomiting, and a swelling near the eyes.  The disease often goes misdiagnosed by the medical community.  Additionally, some people will not show any symptoms of the disease for years.  Chagas disease will lurk in their blood and surface twenty to thirty years after the bite wound occurred.  When this happens it is difficult for doctors to determine the digestive and heart problems that the victim is exhibiting.

Please check back on Monday for the conclusion.