Monthly Archives: December 2010

Bed Bug Information, Bed Bug Resources, Bed Bugs, Commercial Services, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Pest Management, Residential Services

Leave The Bed Bug Treatments To Pest Control Professionals Part II Of II

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Continuing from Wednesday…

• What’s the label say? – One type of pesticide is not interchangeable for another type.  If you choose to use a pesticide for any type of creepy crawly bug…bed bug included…you should read the label to see if the pesticide you are intending on using is able to handle a bed bug infestation.  Many consumers make the wrong choice and improperly apply pesticides which cause bed bugs to spread and multiply.  New Jersey pest control experts report that some consumers have also been found to use products such as kerosene, alcohol, bleach, ammonia, wasp sprays, etc. for bed bug infestation treatments.  Not only do these do-it-yourself treatments prove to be ineffective for the treatment of bed bugs, they can also pose a fire hazard because many of the products used are flammable!

You can avoid a New York or New Jersey bed bug infestation in your home by checking hotels and motels for bed bugs while you travel and checking your child’s belongings each day when he or she returns home from school as well.  Accepting or purchasing used furniture might seem like a great bargain initially, but you never know what is lurking deep within the fabric fibers and interior structure of the furniture piece in question.  Many people have unwittingly caused a bed bug infestation in their home via used furniture acceptance so it is wise to buy new products and still inspect all furniture prior to it entering your home.

Bed bug infestations are annoying no doubt, but they can be treated.  If you have bed bugs in your New York or New Jersey home or business, you need a licensed pest control expert that specializes in bed bug eradication services to get rid of the little vampires.  Stern Environmental Group provides a wide variety of professional and discreet bed bug services in New York, New Jersey and New York City.  Call us today to get rid of your NY or NJ bed bug infestation!

Bed Bug Information, Bed Bug News, Bed Bug Resources, Bed Bugs, Commercial Services, News, Pest Control, Pest News, Residential Services

Leave The Bed Bug Treatments To Pest Control Professionals Part I Of II

New York and New Jersey bed bug infestations are quite problematic these days and NJ pest control experts agree that there does not seem to be an end in sight to their endless thirst for nighttime nibbling.  These bugs were common household pests for many centuries but were nearly eradicated in the United States post World War II thanks to the widespread use of DDT.  In 1972, DDT was banned for household use by the Environmental Protection Agency for a variety of reasons and the insecticides that replaced it have not proven to be effective in killing the little monsters.  In fact, these stealthy creatures are so hearty that New York and New Jersey bed bug infestations, and those around the United States have been able to thrive in all types of dwellings.

People have tried many different remedies to try to rid their homes and belongings of bed bugs since their grand re-entrance into mainstream America.  Here are some things you should NOT do to try to get rid of a NYC or NJ bed bug infestation…

• Use a bug bomb – Using a bug bomb for the treatment of bed bugs never works and actually causes the infestation to spread to other areas of your home instead.  If you live in an apartment/condo type building, your neighbors will not appreciate the onslaught of bed bugs marching through the walls, floorboards, ceilings, outlets, vents, or any other crack or crevice they can run to.

• Outdoor pesticides – Out of sheer desperation some people have made the choice to use pesticides that are intended for exterior use to treat their bed bug infestation. Using pesticides indoors that are intended for use on the exterior of your home can be a dangerous decision.  Many people who have tried to treat bed bugs with pesticides that are intended for exterior application have become very ill in the process.  In August of 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a warning to consumers against using pesticides on bed bugs that are deemed appropriate for agricultural pests.  Improper pesticide application can cause illness and even death when used incorrectly.

Please check back on Friday for the conclusion.

Bed Bug Information, Bed Bug News, Bed Bugs, Commercial Services, Pest Management, Pest News, Residential Services

It’s Been A Good Year To Be A New York City Bed Bug

Back in the “olden days” New York City bed bugs were a household pest that was easily killed with a quick trip to the store.  Housewives would toss a few bucks on the counter for their favorite killing potion…DDT… and within a few hours, the unsuspecting tiny little bloodsuckers were a thing of the past. Then, 1972 rolled around and self-treatment of the little vampires came to a screeching halt.  Most people did not realize that despite its powerful strength, bed bugs were already becoming resistant to the powerful pesticide.  Quietly the little buggers were able to lay in wait, multiply at will, and with what seems like overnight, New York City residents suddenly began to be on constant attack by the bloodsuckers.

New York City bed bug infestations have been brewing for some time; but 2010 will likely go down in history as the “Year of the Bed Bug”.   Bed bugs have been driving New Yorker’s and visitor’s crazy by invading movie theaters, opera houses, and retail stores this year.  They have been spotted within the school system, office buildings, court houses, luxury hotels, and hospitals too.  It seems everywhere you turn in the city, New York City bed bug infestations are making their presence known.

Despite their blood thirsty ways, bed bugs have not only enjoyed the spotlight in the evening news line-up, daily newspapers, web reports, and Blogs.  In 2010, bed bugs have graced comic strips like Doonesbury, an animation company in Taiwan has created several funny clips about New York City’s bed bug infestations, Mayor Bloomberg joked with David Letterman about how bed bugs are tougher than the rats that are infesting NYC, and bed bugs even joined the humorous band of “MangoHeads” as part of the “29th King Mango Strut” (a parade) in Florida on December 26, 2010.  Ah, yes, it’s been a good year for pesky NYC bed bugs!

If you have a NYC bed bug infestation that is driving you nuts, it’s time to call a pest control expert who specializes in bed bug eradication services.

Bed Bug Information, Bed Bug News, Bed Bugs, Residential Services

Increases in Bed Bug Infestations Leads to New Rules for Mattress Disposal

Due to the fact that New York and New Jersey bed bug infestations are still at epidemic levels, New York City has instituted new rules for residents who wish to dispose of used mattresses. 

Any resident of New York City that wishes to dispose of a mattress or box spring must now seal it in plastic prior to putting it outside of their home or curbside for trash collection. Failure to follow these rules could result in a fine from the city in the amount of one hundred dollars.

City officials have said that this is a way to keep sanitation workers safe and to help slow down the ever growing number of bed bug outbreaks that are occurring all over the city.  If this method proves to be successful in New York there could be a chance of seeing similar measures taken to slow the occurrence of New Jersey bed bug infestations as well.

If you want to prevent a bed bug infestation in your New Jersey home, you’ve got to be as diligent as the New York City sanitation department and take every necessary precaution.  As long as the bed bug outbreaks are at epidemic levels you should avoid bringing used furniture, clothes or other second hand belongings into your home without a very thorough inspection.  You should also thoroughly inspect your belongings upon returning home from trips and take the appropriate steps to ensure that you don’t bring bed bugs into your home on your clothes or in luggage.

If there is any indication of bed bugs or any evidence of an infestation you should immediately contact a qualified New Jersey bed bug professional for an inspection.  Hiring a bed bug specialist is the only way to effectively eliminate the threat when bed bugs have entered your New Jersey home.

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Bed Bugs Bugging New Jersey Schools

A Jersey City, New Jersey school has a confirmed case of bed bugs!  The buggers were spotted three weeks ago by a 13 year old boy who promptly reported the creatures to the principal.

Instead of treating the school entirely, officials have decided to try to confine the bed bugs to the third floor and “spot treat” the bugs when they make their presence known.  The biggest problem with deciding to follow this particular course of treatment is that NJ pest control experts report there is a higher probability that the bed bug infestation will spread into the school population.  Despite the fact that bed bugs are typically nocturnal, these opportunistic pests are hitchhikers and will take any opportunity to travel home with unsuspecting kids, staff, administration, and maintenance personnel.

School officials and parents need to be diligent and keep an eye out for creepy bed bugs as they will lurk in tiny cracks and crevices waiting for the perfect means of transportation.

Schools that become infested with bed bugs have a particularly difficult time getting rid of the blood sucking pests because bed bugs and their sticky eggs can be well hidden in a multitude of locations.  Hall lockers, libraries, school buses, gym lockers, cafeterias, computer labs, and the constant traveling of students from classroom to classroom make the transfer of a New Jersey bed bug infestation one that is very difficult to avoid under the best of circumstances.

NJ pest control experts are advising parents to take a few precautionary steps to help prevent a NJ bed bug infestation in your home…

1. Inspect their child’s belongings every day to see if they have inadvertently brought bed bugs home with them from school.

2.  In addition to a good visual inspection, you should also wash your child’s clothing on the hottest temperature setting possible.  Dry all clothing on hot heat as bed bugs and their eggs cannot withstand temperatures over 113 degrees.

3. Run all coats, hats and gloves through the dryer for at least 30 minutes each day on hot as well. See #2.

4. Consider buying the PackTite Portable Bed Bug Killing Heat Chamber.  You can easily bake all of your child’s belongings as soon as they come home from school and kill bed bugs and their eggs in a short period of time!

If you or your child happens to bring bed bugs to your New Jersey home, it’s important that you contact a NJ pest control expert immediately.