Tag: Bed Bugs
Below are posts about information on the prevention, control and elimination of the recent bed bug resurgence. JP McHale has a Bed Bug Care Package to offer consumers way to monitor for bed bugs!
Posted on February 10, 2012 with 3 Comments
The following information and bed bug pictures are the property of Lou Sorkin and have some rights reserved.
Bed bug, Cimex lectularius, and also the human body louse, Pediculus humanus humanus feeding. Red skin area is a nevus flammeus (birthmark) and not a result of insect feeding. The October meeting of The New York Entomological Society featured Dale Clayton and his research on the Lousebuster system for head louse management. Dale is at the University of Utah. Technically the human head louse is a different sub species from that pictured, but the one pictured is useful for this presentation. The body lice pictured above are from a colony sent by John Clark from the University of Massachusetts where they are fed on a mechanized system developed in his lab and are not from a wild caught population for those of you who wonder about such things!!
credits: lou-sorkin-bed-bug-human-louse
P=Pediculus (louse)
C=Cimex (bed bug)
credits: lou sorkin body louse bed bugs
Notice that the smallest louse is smaller than a first instar bed bug nymph.
Also a louse in the group on the left middle area of picture is defecating, a behavior that contributes to it being an important insect vector for louse borne diseases. Defecation on the host and the host scratching introduces the disease organism into the excoriated skin.
Posted on January 9, 2012 with No Comments
A study was conducted by the Mississippi State University regarding the psychological effects that bed bugs can cause. The study says that in some individuals the psychological effects resulting from having bed bugs include nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance (to keep the bugs away), insomnia, anxiety, avoidance behaviors, and personal dysfunction. These symptoms are suggestive of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
RESULTS:
One hundred thirty-five postings were read and analyzed, and 110 (81%) of those postings reported psychological effects from bed bug infestations. Scoring with the PTSD checklist revealed a range of 0-52 (mean 13.25; SD 9.38); one met the criteria (≥50) considered positive for PTSD.
CONCLUSIONS FROM THE STUDY:
Based upon the survey conducted of online postings concerning such effects, an as-yet-to-be-determined proportion of individuals who experience bed bug bites develop moderate-to-severe negative emotional symptoms after infestations. These individuals should be identified in the course of their interactions with health professionals so that appropriate mental health care may be provided.
ON A SIDE NOTE:
People who are suffering with bed bugs often go weeks without sleep. Breaking the normal sleep pattern one or two nights in a row is easily recoverable but going weeks without a proper rest can wreak havoc on even the most level-headed individual.
The social stigma associated with having bed bugs can also wreak havoc on one’s social life.
If you are feeling stressed and anxious to the point where you think that you need help – get that help sooner than later – don’t be ashamed – help is simply a phone call away!
Posted on December 14, 2011 with No Comments
Harold Harlan, one of the leading bed bug experts in the U.S., is featured on the cover of the November 2011 Pest Control Technology Magazine. Dr. Harlan has kept bed bugs in his home for 38 years, ever since 1973 when he collected his first hundred or so at Fort Dix in New Jersey. Harlan was a military entomologist in the U.S. Arm. He lets five to six thousand bed bugs feed on himself each month.
“Dr. Harlon was also featured on Dateline in a segment about What You Need To Know About Bed Bugs, where he was noted as saying that “educating yourself can be helpful and reassuring.”
Posted on December 12, 2011 with No Comments
The financial impact of bed bug control has been significant. Just one bed bug in one room can start a bed bug infestation. Although bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, their bites cause allergic reactions, such as severe itching and inflamed welts (red bump, ridge or swelling of unbroken skin). Bed bugs are causing social and economic hazzard to owners and residents of apartment buildings, as well as hotels and public buildings.
In a recent study, Rajeev Vaidyanathan, PhD, associate director of Vector Biology and Zoonotic Disease at SRI International, explained:
“New York City alone spends between $10 million and $40 million per year on bed bug control, and these numbers are repeated in other major cities across the US. Over 95 percent of pest control agencies reported bed bugs as a priority in 2010, thus superseding termites as the number one urban pest.”
Posted on December 7, 2011 with No Comments
Researchers conducted a study and it appears that bed bug infestations are only going to get worse. One key point made is that detecting bed bug infestations as early as possible is one key way to keep the bed bug infestation from spreading. If you live in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut and see bed bugs, bed bug eggs, cast skins, or nymphs or if you have signs of bed bug bites notify your apartment manager immediately and have them contact a professional pest management firm to to conduct a thorough inspection.
Posted on December 2, 2011 with No Comments
Bed bugs have affected students at another college. The Portland State Vanguard reports that a few Portland State University students are the newest unsuspecting victims of a bed bug infestation.
In multi-unit housing bed bugs can spread rapidly. If you have children in college, there’s always the chance their dorm room could be infested with bed bugs and if they are coming home for the holidays, they can easily bring bed bugs home with them.
Bed Bug Pest management professionals recommend that you protect your box springs and mattresses by purchasing and installing encasement set. JP McHale’s Pest Management sells a sleep tight bed bug care package which will aid in early detection should your child bring bed bugs home from college this holiday season.
Posted on November 28, 2011 with No Comments
Matt Frye is an entomologist working at JP McHale Pest Management, pest control specialists. The following article can also be viewed at Home and Garden Easy.
Bed bugs in real life are not nearly as fun as the 1980’s Milton Bradley game, and no longer the subject of an amusing bedtime rhyme. Instead, as the number three buzzword in 2010 (Time Magazine), it’s clear that bed bugs are back and hungrier than ever. Here are a few tips to reduce your chance of getting bed bugs, and how to squash problems if they arise.
Keep a Lookout
Small bed bug populations are easier to control than large infestations. Know the signs of a bed bug problem, including itchy bites that were not present the night before, blood stains on sheets and black spots on mattresses, box-springs, walls and furniture near the bed. These stains are tiny drops of your blood that have been excreted by the bed bug. Remember, spiders, mosquitoes, black flies and even poison ivy can leave itchy welts – not all bites are bed bugs!
Stop the Spread
Bed bugs can be transported on just about any item, including clothes, backpacks, computers and furniture. With bed bugs popping up in theaters, department stores, transportation vehicles and offices, it is best to leave unneeded items at home. Hold on to handbags and jackets at the movies and on the train; you never know what lurks on the next seat. Be wary of used items, particularly those found on the roadside and in yard sales. Before entering your home, inspect yourself and personal items for bed bugs.
Hotel Safety
When arriving to a hotel, place items in the bathtub while you carefully inspect the bedroom. Pull back sheets and use a flashlight to look for black stains on the mattress, box-spring, and inside seams. If possible, check behind the headboard, on the nightstand and luggage rack. If you arrived on public transportation, be sure to check your luggage before placing it on the luggage rack. Never place clothing in dresser drawers, and never store your belongings on the bed. If you spot a bed bug, leave everything as is and report to hotel management.
Protect Your Home
Bed bug certified mattress encasements and pillow cases are a great idea. Both products eliminate folds and seams where bed bugs hide, their white color makes spotting a bed bug easy, and they can be used to save an infested mattress by preventing bed bugs from dispersing and biting. ClimbUp Insect Interceptors are available for purchase, and should be placed under the legs of beds, dressers or other furniture for early detection of bed bugs.
Debugging
Heat is the homeowner’s best weapon against bed bugs, but must be used correctly and safely. Placing clothing in a drier for 30 minutes on high heat will kill all stages of bed bugs, as will leaving items in the car on a hot summer day. A hair dryer can be used to inspect such as luggage, books and sneakers. Forcing hot air into cracks/crevices will cause bed bugs to disperse, at which point they can be squished (or collected and sent to your local pest management professional for identification). Steam machines can be purchased at low cost and used on certain types of furniture to kill bed bugs on contact.
Call the Professional
Large bed bug infestations should be handled by a pest management professional. The news abounds with stories of homeowners causing personal or property damage when attempting do-it-yourself bed bug control. Research local companies to determine who performs quality work, which is backed by a guaranteed of 60 days or more. Ask for labels of products that will be used and for a full description of what the treatment will entail.
Bed bugs represent one of the greatest challenges to the pest management professional today. Control of this insect is not easy, and treatment plans are often costly. By following these recommendations and being conscious of bed bugs, you can effectively prevent these pests from entering your home.
Posted on November 22, 2011 with No Comments
Yes you can pick up bed bugs on an airplane.
Forbes published this article about how to prevent picking up bed bugs while flying. But remember, there are ways to prevent bed bugs but there are no guarantees to preventing them.
Your best line of defense is to educate yourself on how to recognize the early signs and symptoms of bed bugs and if you suspect you have brought them home, early detection is key.
Posted on October 17, 2011 with No Comments
The resurgence of bed bugs in New York City and across the country has prompted many bed bug victims to file bed bug lawsuits and many bed bug cases have led to large settlements. The insurance industry has taken notice and PLIS, Inc. Underwriting Facilities is now offering aid with bed bug liability insurance to the hospitality and lodging industries.
If you are in the hospitality industry one of the most accurate ways of detecting bed bugs in the early stages is to employ the use of k9 bed bug inspections 
to find low level and early infestations in suspect and adjoining rooms. Please contact our office at 800-479-2284 for additional information on our early interception and bed bug detection programs.
Posted on October 13, 2011 with No Comments
Searching for bed bugs in a facility like a retail store, an office building or daycare setting can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Despite the problems that bed bugs have the potential to cause, facility managers who haven’t been affected generally don’t seem very worried about the pests, according to a survey conducted by Building Operating Management. Of the 55 respondents, 72 percent said they are not doing anything to monitor for bed bugs and 43 percent are not at all concerned they will be affected.
The following is from Facilitiesnet: Early last year, a suspicious insect was spotted crawling up a wall in an area with eight workstations. It was trapped by an employee and confirmed as a bed bug by a pest management company. A canine unit inspected the entire facility and identified the main area of infestation. The employees in that area were asked to work from home until the space — and their homes — could be cleared by canine inspection.
In the facility, the affected area was steam cleaned and vacuumed, then resinspected by dogs. Any further hot spots were removed and heat-treated or recleaned with steam. Then the dogs came back to give a final all clear. All said, it took a week and $20,000, says Ian Norray, deputy director of facility operations at the Council.
Bed Bug Solution: In the future, Norray says, they are planning twice-yearly inspections with canine units and dealing with problem spots quickly and quietly, without unduly alarming staff. “
In this BOM study, office buildings had a 23% response rate for a bed bug infestation vs. 3% in retail stores. Is this because co-workers have bed bugs at home and are then sitting in there offices for prolonged periods of time? Regardless of the source, facility managers need to act now and have a bed bug protocol in place before the situation arises! And yes, it is only a matter of time!
