The Bed Bug Epidemic Is Back!
Sleep tight and don't let the Bed Bugs bite! These were words your mom, your grandmother and for sure her mother spoke as she was putting the children to bed.
Bed Bugs during the 20th century were as common as fleas on a dog's back.
Virtually every home was infested and both the rich and poor alike suffered.
It wasn't until WWII that relief came in the form of DDT.
DDT was given to our troops to combat head lice and a by-product of this treatment was that it killed Bed Bugs.
After WWII the American public's living condition started improving and one of the things they demanded was "no bugs".
This is when the pest control industry started taking off and one of the first pest that we had to get rid of were Bed Bugs.
Within just a few short years DDT had literally killed off the Bed Bug problem in North America and now that DTT is no longer available the Bed Bugs are back! In the early 90's the Bed Bug problem started re-appearing.
At first the outbreaks were isolated on the east and west coast in New York and Los Angeles but since then they have spread across the country like wild fire.
"Why" did they come back and "how" did they get here are the questions most ask and the answers are easy.
This is where the food is and they are moved around the world on and in our luggage as we travel and in the goods we import.
What do they look like? Bed Bugs are wingless parasites that feed on blood.
They are flat, about a 1/4 inch long as adults.
They are deep brown to burnt orange and once they feed they are blood red to black.
The immature insects look just like the adults and when they hatch they are about the size of a pencil dot.
Can they infect us with diseases? Bed Bugs are known to carry many diseases but there are no reported cases where they have transmitted diseases to people.
How will I know if I am infested? Most people don't know until the bug population gets up into the thousands.
Bed Bugs only feed at night and usually wait until you are asleep.
You rarely feel their bite because as they pierce your skin they inject saliva into you which contains a numbing agent.
You may or may not have a reaction to their bite but if you are one of those who are allergic to Bed Bug bites you could look you rolled in a Fire Ant mound every morning.
Most people first realize they have Bed Bug infestation when they can't get the "spots" out of their sheets.
The spots are dried blood.
Can't you just spray them like roaches and they go away? NO.
These insects are able to hide in the smallest of places and killing them is very difficult.
When we schedule a Bed Bug service we block out four (4) hours for two (2) men, the first trip.
When we have completed the treatment the room will look like a tornado had gone through.
Most pesticides only last about 90 days and the Bed Bugs can stay hidden for 12+ months without feeding.
One treatment is rarely enough and follow up service is usually necessary.
What are the treatment options? There are five.
You can use steam, heat, freezing, fumigation or chemicals.
The freezing method is experimental, the steam method is limited to spot treatments, the heat method will work but heating up and entire home is difficult and costly.
Fumigation will kill everything thing inside your home but like the heat method it to is expensive.
The least expensive and most effective control method is to use chemicals.
Only chemicals can give you the residual protection that is so important for long term control.
How can you protect yourself on vacation and when you get home? Assume that everywhere your staying has a Bed Bug problem.
I don't care if it is a "hole in the wall" motel to the "Ritz", your room could be infested.
Upon entering your room leave your suitcases at the door.
Strip everything off the bed and use your flashlight to look for bugs, dirty spots (fecal material), or dried blood stains.
The bed is usually where you will find evidence of Bed Bugs but they can be anywhere in the room.
Try to keep your luggage elevated and always place your luggage in tightly seal plastic bag.
If you can, live out of your bags.
Do not put your things in the closets or dressers and do not reuse the plastic bags, leave the old and use a new one at your next stop.
When you get home unpack outside and inspect your clothes and the suitcases.
Don't put your clothes on the floor, your bed or in a hamper.
Take them directly into the washer/dryer or to the cleaners (in a plastic bag).
FYI, Bed Bugs are killed at temperatures above 120 degrees.
Put your clothes in the dryer, on high heat, for one hour.
If you find bugs on or in your suitcase throw it away.
If you want to gamble with keeping it seal it in a black plastic bag and place in the hot sun all day.
This may and I stress may, elevate the temperature high enough to kill the bugs.
Upon removing the bag scrub it with soap and water and then treat it with a good pesticide.
Bed Bugs are Bad Dudes.
They are expensive to control and you can expect to have problems for a year or longer.
Treating for Bed Bugs is not a do-it-yourself project and the company you hire should have a great deal of Bed Bug experience.
And you; your going to need patience and a lot of it.
Bed Bugs during the 20th century were as common as fleas on a dog's back.
Virtually every home was infested and both the rich and poor alike suffered.
It wasn't until WWII that relief came in the form of DDT.
DDT was given to our troops to combat head lice and a by-product of this treatment was that it killed Bed Bugs.
After WWII the American public's living condition started improving and one of the things they demanded was "no bugs".
This is when the pest control industry started taking off and one of the first pest that we had to get rid of were Bed Bugs.
Within just a few short years DDT had literally killed off the Bed Bug problem in North America and now that DTT is no longer available the Bed Bugs are back! In the early 90's the Bed Bug problem started re-appearing.
At first the outbreaks were isolated on the east and west coast in New York and Los Angeles but since then they have spread across the country like wild fire.
"Why" did they come back and "how" did they get here are the questions most ask and the answers are easy.
This is where the food is and they are moved around the world on and in our luggage as we travel and in the goods we import.
What do they look like? Bed Bugs are wingless parasites that feed on blood.
They are flat, about a 1/4 inch long as adults.
They are deep brown to burnt orange and once they feed they are blood red to black.
The immature insects look just like the adults and when they hatch they are about the size of a pencil dot.
Can they infect us with diseases? Bed Bugs are known to carry many diseases but there are no reported cases where they have transmitted diseases to people.
How will I know if I am infested? Most people don't know until the bug population gets up into the thousands.
Bed Bugs only feed at night and usually wait until you are asleep.
You rarely feel their bite because as they pierce your skin they inject saliva into you which contains a numbing agent.
You may or may not have a reaction to their bite but if you are one of those who are allergic to Bed Bug bites you could look you rolled in a Fire Ant mound every morning.
Most people first realize they have Bed Bug infestation when they can't get the "spots" out of their sheets.
The spots are dried blood.
Can't you just spray them like roaches and they go away? NO.
These insects are able to hide in the smallest of places and killing them is very difficult.
When we schedule a Bed Bug service we block out four (4) hours for two (2) men, the first trip.
When we have completed the treatment the room will look like a tornado had gone through.
Most pesticides only last about 90 days and the Bed Bugs can stay hidden for 12+ months without feeding.
One treatment is rarely enough and follow up service is usually necessary.
What are the treatment options? There are five.
You can use steam, heat, freezing, fumigation or chemicals.
The freezing method is experimental, the steam method is limited to spot treatments, the heat method will work but heating up and entire home is difficult and costly.
Fumigation will kill everything thing inside your home but like the heat method it to is expensive.
The least expensive and most effective control method is to use chemicals.
Only chemicals can give you the residual protection that is so important for long term control.
How can you protect yourself on vacation and when you get home? Assume that everywhere your staying has a Bed Bug problem.
I don't care if it is a "hole in the wall" motel to the "Ritz", your room could be infested.
Upon entering your room leave your suitcases at the door.
Strip everything off the bed and use your flashlight to look for bugs, dirty spots (fecal material), or dried blood stains.
The bed is usually where you will find evidence of Bed Bugs but they can be anywhere in the room.
Try to keep your luggage elevated and always place your luggage in tightly seal plastic bag.
If you can, live out of your bags.
Do not put your things in the closets or dressers and do not reuse the plastic bags, leave the old and use a new one at your next stop.
When you get home unpack outside and inspect your clothes and the suitcases.
Don't put your clothes on the floor, your bed or in a hamper.
Take them directly into the washer/dryer or to the cleaners (in a plastic bag).
FYI, Bed Bugs are killed at temperatures above 120 degrees.
Put your clothes in the dryer, on high heat, for one hour.
If you find bugs on or in your suitcase throw it away.
If you want to gamble with keeping it seal it in a black plastic bag and place in the hot sun all day.
This may and I stress may, elevate the temperature high enough to kill the bugs.
Upon removing the bag scrub it with soap and water and then treat it with a good pesticide.
Bed Bugs are Bad Dudes.
They are expensive to control and you can expect to have problems for a year or longer.
Treating for Bed Bugs is not a do-it-yourself project and the company you hire should have a great deal of Bed Bug experience.
And you; your going to need patience and a lot of it.
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