The ink is barely dry from last week’s reports about the results of the study that was conducted by entomologists at Virginia Tech.  In the study, researchers found that modern day bed bugs are now able to produce a slew of enzymes that destroy the insecticides that are supposed to be killing them.  A few years ago, researchers found that bed bugs had altered their nerve endings which prevent typical pesticides from binding to the nerves.

New York City pest control experts can attest to the fact that bed bug infestations continue to rise throughout the United States.  In many areas of the US, pest control professionals are finding bed bugs that are hugely resistant to pesticide applications, no matter what type of chemical compound is used.

Thespec.com reported on October 27, 2011, that CityHousing in Canada has been having difficulty with bed bugs at all of their housing locations for many years.  According to their report, CityHousing has tried a variety of treatment methods to rid the buildings of the bloodsuckers, yet they still remain.  CityHousing bought a bed bug sniffing dog, only to find out that it was deemed to be unfit for work.  They utilize a super-size industrial steamer to kill bed bug eggs.  Certain items are subjected to freezing and others to heat treatment.  Units are cleaned, vacuumed, and laundry completed according to protocol.  In addition, CityHousing also purchased a thermal remediation unit which will heat a housing unit to 168 degrees Fahrenheit for $60,000.  Despite the extensive efforts to kill the bed bugs within their housing units, the bloodsuckers still exist.

You may read the article here.

The idea of a “bed bug superbug” is frightening and still being debated by researchers, yet it is apparent that they likely do exist in some locations in North America.