Bedbugs Declared a Health Hazard

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Are bed bugs really considered a health hazard? According to a Toronto municipal councillor, Howard Moscoe, they certainly should be. Moscoe wants the city to begin taking steps toward calling the growing problem of bed bugs a health hazard. The changes will be made under the provincial Health Act. According to pest control companies there has been a rise in bed bug infestations over the last year. According to the article on CBC News “one company told the Toronto board of health it was fumigating 450 residences a month.”

Bed bugs aren’t considered life threatening by any means, but the damages could be considered just as bad if not worse. The physical and psychological effects are reason enough to declare them a health hazard says Moscoe. Another advantage to having bed bugs considered a health hazard? Currently, under the Health Act you can’t force a neighboring resident to spray for bed bugs if he or she has them. But if they are considered a health hazard you will be able to. If you know anything about bed bugs you’ll know that they spread easily and multiply quickly so spraying the infected area as soon as possible is absolutely necessary.

Moscoe plans to address the issue to the health board at its next meeting. What do you think, should bed bugs be considered a health hazard? Share your comments and questions below.

Full story can be found here: cbc.ca/health/story/2008/10/13/to-bedbugs1013.html