Category Archives: Matress Covers

Bed Bug Detection Dogs, Bed Bug Information, Bed Bug Monitoring Device, Bed Bug Monitors, Bed Bug News, Bed Bug Resources, Bed Bugs, Commercial Services, Green Pest Control, Insect Control, Matress Covers, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Pest Management, Residential Services

HUD’s New Guidelines For Public Housing Authorities In the USA Part 1 Of 2

Any confusion as to who is responsible for a bed bug infestation within any public housing facility may now be put to rest.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has created new bed bug protocol that will protect the tenant and the landlord that will go into effect immediately.

It has been recommended that Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plans be implemented to help control bed bugs as well as other types of household pests and HUD is strongly encouraging Pubic Housing Agencies (PHAs) to incorporate a good IPM plan.  According to HUD, the procedures include:

“Raising awareness through education on the prevention of bed bugs.

Inspecting infested area, plus surrounding living spaces.

Checking for bed bugs in luggage and clothes when returning home from a trip.

Looking for bed bugs or signs of an infestation on secondhand items before bringing the items home.

Correctly identifying the pest. Keeping records indicating dates and locations where pests are found.

Cleaning all items within a bed bug infested living area.

Reducing clutter where bed bugs can hide.

Eliminating bed bug habitats.

Physically removing bed bugs through cleaning.

Using pesticides carefully according to the label directions.

Following up on inspections and possible treatments.”

In the new guidelines, PHA must respond to complaints of bed bugs within 24 hours and discuss what measures will be taken to get rid of the pests with tenants.  Inspection of the unit in question, as well as the units above, below, and on the sides must also be performed within three business days.  If bed bugs are not found, re-inspection must be completed periodically over the next several months.

Please check back on Friday for the conclusion.

Bed Bug Detection Dogs, Bed Bug Information, Bed Bug Monitoring Device, Bed Bug Monitors, Bed Bug News, Bed Bug Resources, Bed Bugs, Commercial Services, Green Pest Control, Insect Control, Matress Covers, News, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Pest Management, Pest News, Residential Services

HUD Helps Victims Of Bed Bugs Part 2 Of 2

Continuing from Monday…

• If a unit is suspected to have bed bugs, but no bugs are found, O/As should continue to re-inspect the unit/s for several months.

• When bed bugs are found in a unit, that unit, as well as the units surrounding it, must receive treatment for the pests.  Treatment can be in the form of heat, freezing, using mattress encasements, vacuuming, steaming, and interception devices.

• O/As may ask for financial help from HUD to treat bed bug infestations in a dwelling.  O/A’s should submit a request via the “Reserve for Replacement” or “Residual Receipts” accounts at HUD.

• O/A’s can help keep the incidents of bed bug infestations low by offering tenants bed bug mattress covers, monitoring devices, or other detection tools.  The O/As may not charge a tenant for the use of any of these products.

• To protect the building, O/As may voluntarily offer to inspect a tenant’s furniture before they move in and inspections of luggage when a tenant returns from a trip out-of- town, and inspection of any used furniture before it is brought into a building. The O/As may not charge a tenant nor can they require a tenant to be subjected to any of these services.

• Tenants that have had a bed bug problem at a previous residence cannot be denied residency based upon that history.

• The cost of bed bug eradication cannot be passed along to the tenant.  The O/As must incur the costs associated with the bed bug infestation or ask for financial assistance from the “Reserve for Replacement” or “Residual Receipts” accounts at HUD if necessary.

• Tenants should immediately report any bed bug sightings to the O/As so that treatment can commence before the infestation spreads throughout the building.

• Tenants should expect the O/As to perform treatment within 5 days of calling to report the bloodsuckers.  If not possible, tenants should be kept aware of when the pest control professional will provide treatment.

• Tenants must cooperate with all bed bug treatment efforts and OA’s can offer assistance free of charge if needed.

Bed Bug Information, Bed Bug Monitoring Device, Bed Bug Monitors, Bed Bug News, Bed Bug Resources, Bed Bugs, Green Pest Control, Insect Control, Matress Covers, News, Pest Control, Pest Eradication, Pest Management, Pest News, Residential Services

HUD Helps Victims Of Bed Bugs Part 1 Of 2

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) performs many functions.  They are the gatekeeper of policy information, clarification, announcements, and procedure decisions. They also provide useful information for residents, property management personnel, and pest management professionals on managing bed bug infestations.  Recently developed policy changes give stricter rules as to how bed bug infestations must be handled in HUD Insured and Assisted Multifamily Housing building/units/homes throughout the United States.

Despite the fact that bed bugs are not known to spread disease, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consider bed bugs to be a “pest of significant public health importance.”

Three new notices that must now be followed have been released by HUD.  Here are some of the interesting highlights from Notice H 2011-20.

• Owners and Management Agents (O/As) are encouraged to develop and follow an Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM).  The goal is to prevent bed bug infestations as well as have a program in place when there is a bed bug infestation occurrence.

• O/As should consider a tenants complaint of bed bugs to be an urgent matter.  Tenants should be contacted within 24 hours by the O/As and an inspection of the property should occur within a reasonable time period.

• O/As should inspect a dwelling to determine if bed bugs are present using a variety of detection tools such as bed bug sniffing dogs and visual inspections.

• The O/As should have the affected unit inspected within three calendar days by a licensed pest control operator, or keep documentation as to why those services could not be completed within the recommended time frame.

• At the minimum, any unit above, below, and on both sides of the suspected bed bug infested unit must also be inspected for bed bugs.

Please check back on Wednesday for the conclusion.

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

Protection With Protect-A-Bed

Anyone who has ever had bed bugs in their home can attest to the massive trouble that they bring.  Sleepless nights are a common complaint among customers of NJ pest control professionals.  Out of desperation to rid their homes of the blood thirsty pest, some people try store bought pesticides only to find that they only kill sporadic bed bugs on contact.  Others unleash store bought bug bombs on the bloodsuckers.  Homeowners soon realize that bug bombs are the worst product for bed bug usage as they drive the bed bugs deep into hiding in the cracks and crevices of the home instead of killing the bugs. There are many products available at Stern Environmental Group that will help consumers and pest control professionals get a handle on bed bug infestations in homes, hotels and other business establishments.

Bed bugs are commonly found living in the seams of mattresses and within the confines of box springs.  While experiencing an infestation or if you are concerned about encountering bed bugs, searching for the bloodsuckers in these locations on a regular basis can be a tiresome task.

The Protect-A-Bed Bed Bug Bite Proof Encasements are the perfect time-saver as they make any wandering bed bugs easy to spot.  These mattress encasements are seamless so bed bugs are unable to hide and multiply in their normal locations.  Unlike other types of mattress covers on the market, the Protect-A-Bed products have a patented BugLock zipper enclosure that permanently locks in any bed bugs and their eggs.

The easy installation and long term protection makes these covers the best alternative for hotels and consumers alike.  At Stern Environmental Group you will find a full line of Protect-A-Bed products for the crib, twin, full, queen, and king size bed.  It is our goal to help you achieve a good night’s rest, without bed bugs biting!

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

Keep Bed Bugs Off Your Bed

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New York City and New Jersey pest control professionals know first-hand how difficult it can be to treat bed bug infestations.  Creepy bed bugs will hide in the smallest of cracks and crevices and come out to feed during the wee hours of the morning when you are fast asleep.  No person is off-limits to a hungry bed bug and no hiding spot is off limits once they are finished feeding which is why these bugs are so difficult to locate.

Out of panic, many people choose to discard their mattress immediately upon discovering bed bugs.  This however will not solve the problem because bed bugs can and will live and breed in other locations within a room.

Mattresses, box springs, nightstands, dressers, curtains, floorboards, electrical outlets, headboards, books, picture frames, and carpet can all harbor bed bugs in a home.  Cluttered living spaces make for a perfect living environment for bed bugs as well.  Stern Environmental Group has many products that will help keep bed bugs from biting you at night so you will receive a good night’s sleep.

Whether you have bed bugs or not, it is highly recommended that you use a mattress encasement that is specifically designed to keep existing bed bugs from biting.  The Protect-A-Bed Mattress Encasement has a miracle membrane that won’t allow bed bugs to bite through the fabric.   Its seamless design means that bed bugs will not be able to hide within the piping or stitching areas on the mattress.  This mattress encasement’s easy installation, and the many sizes to choose from, makes it the perfect choice for homes and hotels alike.

You can find the Protect-A-Bed Mattress Encasements as well many other useful bed bug prevention, travel, monitoring, and treatment products available at Stern Environmental Group.