Monthly Archives: January 2012

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

Bed Bugs Spark A Class Action Lawsuit In Ohio

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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.

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Is There A New Bloodsucker To Worry About? Part 2 Of 2

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.

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Is There A New Bloodsucker To Worry About? Part 1 Of 2

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.

Bees, Commercial Services, Green Pest Control, Insect Control, News, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Pest Management, Pest News, Residential Services, Stinging Insects, Wasps

Bees – Some Are Beneficial

The honey bee is not native to North America.  Recognizing their extreme importance to the environment and their way of life, the bees were brought here by European settlers during the colonial times.  The bees served as pollinators to their crops and provided beeswax and honey.

Honey bees remain a beneficial insect in New Jersey as well as other parts of the United States.  They are responsible for pollinating approximately 80% of the fruit, nut, vegetable and grain plants throughout the United States.

According to a report from Environment News Service on January 10, 2012, the nation’s honey bee population could be in serious danger.  Researchers out of San Francisco State University have recently discovered that many honey bee nests have been invaded by a fly parasite which renders affected honey bees into a “zombie-like” state of being.  Their research has shown that “The fly, Apocephalus borealis, deposits its eggs in a bee’s abdomen. Usually about seven days after the bee dies, fly larvae push their way into the world from between the bee’s head and thorax.”  Bees that survive the attack are disoriented, walk around in circles with no sense of direction, abandon their hives (or are thrown out by other bees), and tend to congregate near lights.  It sounds like a strange science fiction movie!  Some researchers speculate that this parasite could be the reason for the honey bee colony collapse disorder.  You may read the full article here.

Because honey bees are beneficial insects, honey bee nests must be relocated from a home or business by a beekeeper.  Stern Environmental Group performs bee eradication services for other types of troublesome bees and wasps.  Nuisance bees such as yellow jackets, hornets, wasps, and carpenter bees can safely be removed with the help of Stern Environmental Group.

 Call us today for expert service in New York, New York City and New Jersey.

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College Students Are At Risk For Bed Bugs

New York City pest control professionals know first-hand about the risks associated with transferring bed bugs from place to place.  Known for their ability to hitchhike with ease from any local, college students are particularly susceptible to picking up bed bugs.
College students typically live a mobile lifestyle.  Frequent overnight visits in other student’s dorm rooms and apartments, and visits back and forth from home to school, allow for potential bed bugs to hitch a ride with unsuspecting students.

Because college students are often working on a small budget, it is not uncommon for students to regularly purchase used furniture or scavenge previously owned furniture that is owned by other students or area residents.  NYC pest control experts warn that despite their name, bed bugs are not limited to being found solely in beds.  Bed bugs are often times found in other types of discarded furniture such as tables, couches, and dressers.  Because of their size and tendency to hide, bed bugs will also hide in picture frames, mirrors and all types of electronic devices.

What college students can do about bed bugs:

• Refrain from bringing any mattresses, box springs, or furniture in from the street.

• Check backpacks, laptop bags, and other personal belongings after visiting other students homes or dorms.

• Carefully inspect any used or rented furniture for bed bugs prior to bringing it into a dorm or apartment.

• Educate yourself about bed bugs:  Know what they look like, what their habits are, how to find them, how to avoid them, and how to get rid of them.

• Never attempt to treat bed bugs on your own.

• If bed bugs are found, it’s important to immediately notify your landlord or RA that the bugs are present so that a licensed pest control professional can be called to stop the spread of the bloodsuckers.