Battle Against Bed Bugs
We’ve heard in the past that bed bugs aren’t considered to be a health hazard despite the health issues they have cause for many people. But there is good news, according to an article for The Toronto Star written by Donovan Vincent Toronto’s public health department is urging the city to put up emergency funding of $75,000 to help people get rid of bed bugs. The drawback is that it is only a one time funding.
Councillor John Filion who is on the board of health says he believes that it will cost a lot more than $75,000 to get rid of the bed bug problem in Toronto. However, if it’s passed then this emergency money will be used to help those who don’t qualify for welfare or disability support payments to be able to receive help in getting rid of bed bugs from exterminators who will also help them prepare for the extermination.
Between March and October the health department has received 1,444 requests from citizens wanting help in getting rid of bed bugs! Because of the rising bed bug epidemic many more people are getting infestations that are harder and harder to get rid of due to the bugs immunity to pesticides. Even though the money is a step in the right direction the city may need more than that to take care of all the bed bug problems that low income families are having. It’s just just in homes and apartments but hotels as well. It’s really devastating for families to be forced to live with bed bugs and not adequate income to pay to get rid of them. However, the health department agrees that the city needs a comprehensive approach to tackle the rising bed bug epidemic.
Full story found here: http://www.thestar.com/article/538718
Know Where Bed Bugs Hide
As most of you know bed bugs were once on the down low but have now returned with vengeance or as some may say a bed bug epidemic is on the rise. With this ever growing problem it is key to learn what a bed bug is, where they hide and how to get ride of them and keep them gone for good.
Susan Smith-Durisek wrote a great and informative article for Kentucky Living. In her article she highlights many ways to minimize your contact with unwanted critters – bed bugs. The main points that she covers include inspecting your mattress in a hotel room before settling in. What should you look for? Rusty spots or actual bugs along the mattress seams and headboard. Also, one of the most important things to remember is never, ever pick up discarded furniture on the side of the road. You never know if there are bed bugs lurking in that free recliner chair and it’s wise to know this is one of the most common ways to pick up bed bugs and cause an infestation in your own home.
On BadBedBugs.com you’ll also find a FAQ section as well a checklist to use when traveling. Be sure to check out these sections if you have further questions on bed bugs. You’ll also be able to share your own bed bug experiences while reading about other visitor’s experiences as well. If you have any tips not mentioned in this article, please feel free to share them with us below!
Full story found here: http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/592895.html
Crusade Against Bed Bugs
Most people will do anything to get rid of bed bugs if they have them, however in Leonina Heringer’s case it’s quite the opposite. Heringer is from Somerville and is collecting bed bugs. According to her sister, Clarinda Freitas, people will bring Heringer bed bugs in little glass jars. So what does she do with these bed bugs exactly? First of all, they are dead bed bugs and Heringer in return is finishing up an informational video on bed bugs for Somerville’s public-access television which will also be aired on public-access TV stations in nearby cities and towns as well.
This past Monday Heringer was outside her apartment with an old mattress that she had sprayed with ketchup. This method is used to discourage people from buying or picking up old mattress, a common method of getting bed bugs. Heringer’s “crusade” began in 2004 after talking with a member of Portuguese Baptist Church in Cambridge and listening to the woman describe their bed bug problems. The woman informed her that bed bugs were all over the floors and her own 9-month-old baby couldn’t even crawl around in her own home. Heringer decided showing sympathy wasn’t enough, so she took action.
After the landlord’s response wasn’t satisfactory Heringer took things to the next level and brought the issue to the attention of the Health Department and starting writing articles in the Brazilian Times about bed bugs. After including contact information in the articles many people starting contacting her. Now she’s taken it even a step further and with help and funding of 1,700 she was able to make an informative video on bed bugs. Within the video she helps viewers learn how to identify bed bugs as well as how to prepare themselves for extermination. The video also features interviews with exterminators which is extremely beneficial for viewers.
Heringer has learned a lot about bed bugs herself and when she travels she is extremely cautious. Traveling is one of the many ways to pick up bed bugs. When she travels, she won’t bring her luggage into a hotel room until she has checked for bugs. At the beginning she was alone but now she has an entire team behind her with support. Heringer’s goals are to inform everyone about bed bugs and hopefully answer questions and misconceptions many people have. Heringer says that many people will try to treat the problem themselves with other bed bug repellents which is dangerous because a mosquito is very different from a bed bug.
Heringer has been called “The Bed Bug Lady” but she looks at her nickname as a compliment, though some have thought she was infested with bed bugs this is not the case. Heringer has never had a bed bug problem herself but rather was a woman with a good heart who decided to more than just sympathize with those who have had to live with bed bugs. Heringer decided to take action and because of her actions people are becoming informed. With the rising bed bug epidemic we can only hope more people will be inspired by Heringer and take action themselves.
Full story found here:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/11/16/a_crusade_to_stamp_out_bed_bugs/
This Bites!
Erin Holroyd wrote an article “This Bites” for Fairfield Weekly about a couple, Sergio and Adelaida Ramos, who live in a public housing complex that has been infested by bed bugs for over a year. Problems with bed bugs in public housing complexes is become more and more common. Lately many of the articles on bed bugs include infestations in public housing complexes. Why is that?
Sergio Ramos explained that the infestation started in one side of the complex well over a year ago and now the entire place has bed bugs. The couple themselves have been dealing with the problem since January. Mr. Ramos also says many people are ashamed that they have bed bugs, because people will think they are filthy. This is certainly not the case as the Ramos’ unit is quote “immaculate” and they still have bed bugs. A common misconception about bed bugs is that they only infest dirty, messy cases but this is very wrong. Bed bugs are known as “hitchhikers” meaning they are picked up and carried by travelers, so really they can be found anywhere.
The Ramos’ haven’t received much help from the management of Charter Oaks Communities, the community in which they live. They’ve even tried to take matters into their own hands. On top of keeping their home clean they’ve spent hundreds on mattress covers and bug killers but it’s not enough. Mrs. Ramos has been to the doctor on more than one occasion because of the infections from the bites as well as her being allergic to the pesticides. Mr. Ramos has also brought the issue to the attention of the health department who returned sent an exterminator, which didn’t work as the Ramos’ woke up with the same amount of bites as they usually did.
Another huge issue is a language barrier that many of the residents at Charter Oaks have. Mr. Ramos says many of his neighbors don’t speak English and in return don’t know how to get the help they need. One of them fears that if he mentions bed bugs he will be put in a nursing home. Richard Fox, executive director of Charter Oaks Communities, says he is aware of the problem and it isn’t just happening in this community. But this tough to take care of situation is happening all over despite the economic class one lives in.
Clearly there is more than one issue at hand here. If you’ve read any of our other reviews you’ll learn that bed bugs aren’t considered a health hazard so there isn’t much the Health Department can do. Also, the language barrier is an issue. Please share any comments you have with us below and take the time to check out the full story here:
http://www.fairfieldweekly.com/article.cfm?aid=10546
Bed Bugs – Not a Health Hazard
Bed bugs can be found anywhere, from the cleanest of homes right down to the direst of homes. They can be found in hotels, apartments, businesses and schools. You could go out for a night at the movies and come home with bed bugs. Who is to blame? Bed bugs are becoming more and more of a problem. So what is one to do about this little problem? Many tenants are finding their landlords to be very unsympathetic which is hard to deal with when it’s impossible to sleep because you’re getting bitten all night long by little unwanted guests.
Some have said that bed bugs should be considered a health hazard, but at the moment it’s not. Like lice, bed bugs are defiantly a nuisance but not a health threat. Bed bugs don’t cause any type of diseases so therefore the provincial government doesn’t typically have much to do with cases of bed bugs because it isn’t considered a risk to the public. Generally, the city doesn’t deal with the issue either.
Do you think this is fair? People can pick up bed bugs virtually anywhere and while they don’t cause any diseases they do cause extreme itching that can lead to more intense pain as well as rashes. So should bed bugs be considered a health risk? As bed bug infestations continue to grow so will this issue. Share your thoughts with us below.
Full story found here: thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1089388.html
Beg Bug Problem Persists in Public Housing
You really have to feel bad for Clyde Burton, a resident at a public housing unit in Halifax, NS, because for the last three months he has been waking up with an burning sensation in his arms and sometimes with red welts all over his body. Burton, 59, has been living with bed bugs in his apartment unit for over three months now. On more than one occasion he has reported the infestation to Metropolitan Regional Housing Authority. They tried three different times to send a pest control company to take care of the problem, however Burton couldn’t handle the chemicals due to the fact that he has had brain surgery 30 years ago. After treatment for the bed bugs is applied Burton is supposed to avoid cleaning and was advised to leave his apartment for about four hours while it was being sprayed.
Because of Burton’s disability it is vital that he gets a good night sleep which he hasn’t been able to do for the past three months or so. Burton claims that his apartment building is infested from the top floor down. Other tenants in his building agree with him, but didn’t want to say anything in fear of their apartment building being closed down. Burton desperately wants to move but unfortunately many of other public housing apartments in the area also have bed bug issues.
A spokeswoman from the Community Services Department, Kristen Tynes, says that it’s not just public housing units but it’s a problem that is happening all over Halifax. Ms. Tynes says that one of the biggest cause from the infestations is buying second hand furniture which often times has bed bugs already. Then when you bring the furniture to your home and apartment they spread throughout the entire place. Currently, the biggest challenge they face is trying to prevent another infestation.
Full story found here:
thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1089048.html
Think You’re Sleeping Alone?
Sara Gentry wrote a great article for U Weekly titled “Sleeping Alone? Think Again?” In Gentry’s article she discusses the fact that bed bugs are truly a growing problem and are becoming an epidemic. At Ohio State College both on-campus and off-campus students are having issues with bed bugs like many other colleges are. Because bed bugs have been called hitchhikers before, colleges are another prime location of where infestations are rapidly spreading.
An expert on pest control, Andrew Christman is from Ohio Exterminating Company and agrees that infestations are at an all-time high. Christman has seen over 100 infestations on the campus but recalls one that sticks out in his mind and being the worst. A quote by Christman from Gentry’s article says,
“I walked in, and they were crawling on the walls, all over the dresser, they were swarming the mattress.” He went on to say that other invasions are not so obvious but that there are a couple of telltale signs of their presence.”
Due to the ever growing problem Christman decided that it would be a good idea to meet with the Franklin County Board of Health to discuss ideas on how to solve this bed bug problem. Christman says that the most important thing to do if you stop a bed bug is to act fast and call your landlord or supervisor. Because bed bugs reproduce so quickly you’ll want to take action before you have thousands of more unwanted guests. Christman doesn’t really support do-it-yourself pesticides but offers a few suggestions as a supplement to professional exterminators. Bed Bug Kits are available and range in price from $70 to $200 and are pretty effective. (See our Pest Control section for more ideas on do-it-yourself pest removal)
But of course, the best way to prevent a large infestation of bed bugs is to be aware of your surroundings. When you travel or go to someone else’s house don’t hesitate to double check your clothing or luggage to ensure your own home stays bed bug free. To quote Sara Gentry’s last words: “Sleep tight!”
Full article found here:
http://uweekly.com/newsmag/11-05-2008/9629
Kansas Motel is Shut Down
Lauren Epps from The Manhattan Mercury wrote an article about a local motel that was shut down by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment because of bed bugs. Several of the rooms were noted to have had bed bugs. According to the manager of the hotel, Bob Borot, there were about 10 to 15 rooms total that had an infestation. Borot says he expects the hotel will reopen this Friday.
Intitally Borot hired a pest control company to exterminate the bed bugs but the bugs remained persistent. Following the inspection from the pest control company the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) came and issued the motel a temporary suspension until the bed bugs could be permanently removed. Borot says that the extermination has cost a lot of money, around $300 per room. The new pest control company came in and got rid of the bugs and Borot also purchased brand new bedding for the motel.
Full story found here:
themercury.com/news/article.aspx?articleId=4305b4355fb94486ab0b3c33341627bd
Growing Bed Bug Problem in Franklin County
According to 10 TV News in Columbus, Ohio there has been a growing bed bug problem in Franklin County. There have been two major infestations of bed bugs within the county but the Franklin County Board of Health unveiled a task force in hopes that it will decrease the amount of bed bug infestations.
According to an exterminator who lives and works in Ohio, Andrew Christman, business has been extremely busy due to cases of bed bugs. Within a month the company he works for sees around 30 to 40 bed bug cases. Christman expects the cases to double within the next year. 10 TV News reporter Andy Hirsch also mentioned that the Ohio Exterminating Company had nine service calls for Thursday alone.
The Franklin County Board of Health believes that people think bed bugs are caused from being dirty or a poor housekeeper when in fact it has nothing to do with it. That is often why people are embarrassed that they have bed bugs. The board also wants to avoid what is happening in Cincinnati, which is a huge bed bug epidemic. Bed bugs are found everywhere from homes, schools and even fire and police stations.
Bed bugs are often called “hitchhikers” which is why it is extremely important to contact an exterminator right away if you wake up with bites or spot a bed bug in your home. Bed bugs can multiply extremely quickly which in turn cases a greater risk of spreading bed bugs to other parts of your home or having guests bring bed bugs back to their homes. Luckily bed bugs don’t cause any diseases but their bites are noted as extremely itchy and in some cases painful. Scratching may also cause and infection.
Though exterminators on the east side of Franklin County have reported to gain control over bed bugs experts still agree the overall problem is going to get progressively worse unless something else is done.
Full story found here: 10tv.com/live/content/local/stories/2008/10/30/story_bed_bugs.html?sid=102
Bed Bugs at the Polls
Residents who live at Ballard Griffith Apartment towers have been living with bed bugs for months. The problem was reported in September by 27 NEWSFIRST. The towers are supposed to be used on Election Day (November 4, 2008). Fayette County Clerk sent out letters to those who are supposed to register at the site. The letters informed voters that the library where they are supposed to cast their votes has been sprayed with chemicals and the carpets have also been steamed. Although no bed bugs have actually been found in the library they wanted to take proper precautions to prevent them from showing up, especially on Election Day.
According to the article on 27 NEWSFIRST’s website 200 of the 600 voters actually live at the Ballard Griffith Apartment towers so they really didn’t want to move the polls unless absolutely necessary. The residents are also expressing concern over why the pests are being sprayed for on Election Day and not for the residents as well when they are forced to live with the bed bugs.
Full story found here:
wkyt.com/home/headlines/33669759.html
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