Monthly Archives: September 2011

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

NYC Pest Control Experts Know That Bed Bugs Can Be Inside Of Schools!

New York City pest control professionals know firsthand that bed bug infestations can exist with a school, despite what some people think.  They can easily be transported on students or staff members via backpacks, coats, hats, gloves, shoes, clothing, binders, and books.  Once inside of a school, bed bugs can easily climb out of belongings or drop off a person and scurry off to any crack, crevice, electrical outlet, wall void, locker, book, stack of paper, or into someone else’s belonging.

Proof of bed bug infiltration within schools comes from New York City’s experience over the past few years.  In the 2010-11 school year, there were 3,590 reports of bed bugs within New York City schools.  DOE officials believe that each time the bugs were brought in from an outside source.  One school however was found to have a full-blown bed bug infestation.  Much to the dismay of administration and parents alike, it is now being reported that Astoria’s Public School 70 was found to have bed bugs reproducing in a closet in a classroom.

This week, 9News.com reported on September 29, 2011 that two bed bugs had been found in the hallway of a Denver, Colorado elementary school.  A letter was generated to parents advising them of the presence of the critters, and now parents are worried that their student will bring the bloodsuckers home with them.

An Assistant Professor of Biology and bed bug expert claims that schools are not good environments because “they are too cool, bright and lack cracks and crevasses.”  He also said that, “the likelihood of the school developing an infestation is very, very low. I’ve never heard of a school house infestation.”

You may read the article here.

It is true that the two bed bugs found could have dropped off a child or administrator.  But because nobody knows for certain their origin, everyone is at risk.  There could be more bed bugs lurking.  These two bed bugs could be male and female which have already mated with potential eggs being laid in various locations throughout the school causing a full blown infestation.

All bed bug infestations should be handled promptly by a licensed pest control expert!

 

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

1st National Bed Bug Awareness Month

September 2011 is quickly drawing to an end and so is the first “National Bed Bug Awareness Month.”  The campaign to educate American’s about bed bugs began on September 1st and ended on September 27 with the North American Bed Bug Summit in Chicago, Illinois.  The three day summit has brought top bed bug experts, government officials, and representatives from the hospitality, housing, university, and healthcare fields together to discuss the trouble with bed bugs in the United States and around the world.  The summit also featured more than 70 of the latest bed bug technologies that are available.

To bring further awareness and education this month about bed bugs to the public, BedBug Central, and entomologist Jeffrey White, has teamed with a media company to create 14 educational online videos.  The videos were released throughout the month of September as well as informative articles and interviews with entomologists from across the United States.

Things to remember about bed bugs:

• Bed bugs feed solely on blood.  They prefer human blood, but will attack other mammals if necessary.

• Bed bugs are hitchhikers.  They can be found anyplace that humans congregate.

• Having bed bugs is not an indication that a person is dirty.  Because of their ease of transport, even the finest hotels have suffered from bed bug infestations.

• Despite their name, bed bugs are not only found in beds.  When traveling, look for bed bugs behind the headboard, behind baseboards, in lamps, behind pictures, at the edges of carpets, in cracks and crevices, and in dresser drawers.

• Bed bug bites are red and intensely itchy, but not everyone suffers the allergic reaction to the saliva from the bed bugs, which is why the bugs often go undetected until an infestation is out-of-control.

• If you have a bed bug infestation, don’t panic!  Although bed bugs are a huge nuisance to eliminate, eradication is possible with the help of a licensed pest control expert that has experience in bed bug removal services!

For fast NJ pest control services, contact Stern Environmental Group.

Bed Bug News, Bed Bugs

More Dangerous Pesticide Usage Exposed In NYC

On the heels of last week’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report about the dangers associated with the improper use of insecticides to control bed bug infestations, more information has surfaced about dangerous pesticides being used in New York City to control vermin.

New York City pest control companies continue to see an increase in rat populations throughout the New York City area.  Many people attribute the rising numbers to the fact that the city health department laid off 75% of its pest control staff in 2010.  New York City’s 311 line received 10,500 citywide complaints of rats in 2010, which was more than 5% higher than the complaints logged in 2009.  Rodent complaints for 2011 are up 10% since 2010.  It’s no wonder that people are becoming desperate to be free of these disease carrying pests!

According to the New York Times article dated September 23, 2011, some immigrants are using dangerous pesticides from their homelands as a weapon against troublesome vermin in New York City.  “Tres Pasitos” or “Three Little Steps” is being bought on the black market.  The pesticide is manufactured in the Dominican Republic and being smuggled in from China.  Illegal in the United States, the product is so powerful that once a rat consumes it, the rat is only able to walk three steps before it meets its demise.  This dangerous compound contains a “toxic chemical in a concentration almost 61 times higher than federal regulations allowed.”  Using this and similar illegal pesticides puts humans and pets in harm’s way.

You may read the article here.

Rats and mice are more than just a nuisance pest as they can carry a variety of diseases such as Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Eosinophillic Meningitis, Leptospirosis, Murine Typhus, and Rat Fever.  Additionally, their feces, urine, and constant gnawing can cause considerable damage to your home or business.  Any signs of rats or mice should be immediately addressed by calling a licensed pest control expert with experience in rodent eradication service.

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The Misuse of Bed Bug Pesticides Kills 1, Injures 80!

It is widely believed by health officials that bed bugs, despite their bloodsucking ways, are just a nuisance pest because they do not transmit diseases like other known bloodsuckers.  Most health officials do not discount the emotional and psychological effects associated with having encounters with bed bugs.  Many people report sleepless nights and anxiety that can last long after the creepy crawlers have left the building.

According to the a report in the Wall Street Journal on September 22, 2011, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently collected data regarding  consumers use of bed bug insecticides.  Information was collected from twelve states with reports of consumer problems coming in from California, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Texas and Washington.

In this small collection of states that participated, what was discovered is that 80 consumers have become ill and one person has died due to the misuse of over-the-counter pesticides.  The data collected covers the time period of 2003, which is when the resurgence of bed bugs occurred, through 2010.  According to reports, more than half of the illnesses came from New York and most illnesses occurred in the last few years.  The study revealed that 80% of the illnesses were considered to be mild, which included symptoms of dizziness, breathing problems, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.  The CDC believes that it is likely that there are many other cases that have gone unreported in many states, so the percentages could actually be much higher.

You may read the article here.

Despite the amount of people reportedly becoming ill, the CDC does not consider the issue to be a major public health threat.

Federal health officials are warning consumers to be extremely careful when using over-the-counter pesticides.  Because of the dangers to humans and pets, they are urging consumers to contact a licensed pest control expert instead of attempting to treat bed bug infestations on their own.

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

New Fourth Edition of “A Code of Practice For The Control of Bed Bug Infestation In

Bed bug infestations are quickly becoming not only a massive problem in the United States, but a worldwide problem as well.  Realizing the severity of the problem and wanting to provide guidance on controlling the bloodsucking parasites effectively, the National Pest Management Association created the Best Management Practices for Bed Bugs (BMPs).  These guidelines were developed by entomologists, industry professionals, regulators, and academics.  They also serve as a means of helping consumers understand what they should expect from a pest management expert when they are dealing with a bed bug infestation.

In an effort to curtail bed bug problems, Australia and Europe have developed their own bed bug management practices guidelines as well.  According to a report by PCT on September 19, 2011, the “European Code of Practice Bed Bug Management” was developed by using Australia’s Third Edition of the “Code of Practice for the Control of Bed Bugs”.  Despite being adapted to fit European lifestyles, the best pieces of the European version were placed into Australia’s Fourth Edition of “A Code of Practice for the Control of Bed Bug Infestation (CoP).”

Australia’s CoP has also recognized useful information that is provided in the US’s National Pest Management Associations Best Management Practices for Bed Bugs and incorporated some information into their new edition.  One particular addition is the recommendation of heat treatment for use of treating bed bug infestations.  They have acknowledged however that recent fires due to heat treatment procedures have become problematic and this type of treatment should only be handled by a trained professional.

Additional items added to this new edition of the CoP are an Eradication Declaration, Proactive Management Plans, and update on new insecticides registered in Australia.

You may read the interesting article here.

The 4th edition of the CoP has not been finalized and is open for public comment until October 28, 2011 by contacting Stephen.Doggett@swahs.health.nsw.gov.au.

Bed bugs infestations are a worldwide problem.  Having specific Code of Practices designed will help consumers and pest management professionals in the fight against bed bugs.