Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite

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Ever since we were little we’ve all heard our parents or grandparents use the phrase “don’t let the bed bugs bite!” Little did we know how very true that expression could become. Lisa Hartman wrote an article for New England Real Estate Journal discussing just how problematic these little pests have become. At one time bed bugs were thought to be eradicated throughout the entire United States but today it’s quite the opposite. The most common bed bug found in the US is Cimex lectularius and this particular bug is so problematic due to the fact that it hides so well, spreads easily, reproduces quickly and on top of that is quite difficult to treat. Because bed bugs reproduce so quickly it is vital to take action immediately.

A quote from the article says, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Because bed bugs are more commonly found in hotels and apartment buildings it is extremely beneficial and crucial to assign employees to do regular inspections for bed bugs and also inform current residents about on-going situations. Bed bugs can disperse throughout an entire building so if bed bugs are found in one place, they more than likely will be in another. In her article Hartman suggests that having a written plan in place by way of developing protocols for existing residents and for moving in new residents will go a long way towards reducing infestations. She also suggests that it is a wise decisions for owners to take action in not only removing bed bugs but also coming up with ways to prevent them because if they don’t the cost can be substantially higher. In the end, it is the owner’s responsibility as they are being left to get rid of furniture and clothing to more serious matters like paying for pest control and medical stress claims for the bed bugs.

The phrase “don’t let the bed bugs bite” is not just something cute to tell our children but in fact it is becoming more and more serious. For more information on bed bugs be sure to take a look at bed bugs FAQ. And as always, if you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them below.

Full article can be found here: nerej.com/26822