All posts in “bed bugs”

As if the Bed Bugs weren’t bad enough!!!!

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As if the Bed Bugs weren’t bad enough!!!!

“Women torches bedbug – infested mattress while angry at husband.” Tampa Bay, Florida http://www.wtsp.com

This all happened the day before Valentine’s Day, the husband didn’t react fast enough so she lit the mattress on fire. I love what the Pest Management Professional Greg Rice of Hulett Environmental Services said

As for the infestation, Rice says if there were bedbugs in the apartment, it’s doubtful they all died in the fire.

“I don’t know if she killed the bedbugs, but she certainly killed that mattress.”

Don’t throw away furniture because of Bed Bugs!

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Don’t throw away furniture because of Bed Bugs!

I know they are creepy and the mere mention of the word strikes fear in many, don’t respond to PANIC! I have watched these shows on TV like “Infested” and you don’t have to throw away all your furniture. Don’t panic, think it through and create a plan of attack. Here are a few of my rules when it comes to Bed Bugs!

  1. I’ll say it again, don’t panic. Look for them or evidence of them – IDENTIFY them first!
  2. Think about how they got there, did someone travel or did you have guest over?
  3. Don’t start taking the furniture outside or moving it from room to room – you may spread the problem.
  4. If someone is being bitten, isolate the area (example) if they are being bitten on the right side by the knee – check out that area of the room not just the bed but I would start there.
  5. My personal opinion is this is something that you shouldn’t do yourself (by the way NO BUG BOMBS please) I think it just makes them go deeper into a crack or crevice trying to get away from the pesticide. This often leads to creating a harder treatment program for the Professional.
  6. OK you have Bed Bugs and you called a Pro, follow their Prep Sheet – the more you participate the better and faster the program will work. Vacuuming is very important, just make sure to empty the bag or container. Many years ago a homeowner had fleas and used the vacuum, didn’t empty the bag and the eggs hatched in the closet. There were 1000’s of fleas in that closet and trying to get out into the home, empty the vacuum you’ll thank me later!

These bugs are tiny, elusive and very difficult to get rid of but not impossible. As I said and I will say it again “Don’t Panic” and don’t give up. If you have any questions you can always send me an for my opinion [email protected]

http://www.allthingsbedbugs.org/

Don’t throw away furniture because of Bed Bugs!

Bed Bug Basics: 10 Tips to Protect Yourself

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Bed Bug Basics: 10 Tips to Protect Yourself

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSJgbzczdDY]

Produced by the (NPMA) National Pest Management Association

What are the 6 kinds of Bed Bugs?

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What are the 6 kinds of Bed Bugs?

OK I’m stealing this from Jeff Tucker with BASF but I thought it was great and I added one to the mix.

  1. Live Bed Bugs
  2. Frozen Bed Bugs
  3. Heated Bed Bugs
  4. Steamed Bed Bugs
  5. Dead Bed Bugs
  6. Gone

“Sale” Used Mattresses

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Used Mattresses “Sale”

Sale OK so I did a search on Craigslist for used mattresses and I found some, yuck! Bed Bugs and God knows what else!

All I have to say is “Don’t Do It!

Money may be tight but sleeping is an important aspect of getting the proper rest you need. This also goes for used furniture of any kind, make sure it is bug free. You just don’t need the problems. The other option is to purchase encasements such as CleanBrands – don’t buy the cheaper versions, as they will tear and then you have nothing. Duct tapes just comes loose and they can hide in the rollback of the tape. If you travel, take care and on the return trip discard everything into the garage and then wash and heat on high. You can also put the luggage out in the Arizona sun especially in the summer. 

Sale Used Mattresses

Heat or steam Bed Bugs

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Bed Bugs versus heat or steam.

Which works the best, heat or steam? Each has its place, in some cases depending on how much stuff is in the home and how hot can you get it works better. If the home is vacant steam is very effective and generally speaking less costly. So if you have bed bugs it is often advisable to isolate the issue, don’t move furniture or mattresses. You can also use trash bags and insert Nuvan strips inside to kill any bugs and eggs. A friend of mine – Invader Pest Management recently decided to go the way of heat for Bed Bugs and these pictures is how they do it. I also suggest  the Verifi™ monitoring or detection system to make sure the effort has worked or to decide if you have an issue or not. 

 “To steam or not to steam” that is the question?

heat

DIY Bed Bug treatment!

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Another article to justify my concern of DIY Bed Bug treatment!

I have written numerous times concerning the use of bug bombs, kerosene or even pesticides as a tool to eradicate pests. With all these tools we must take responsibility for the safe use and follow the use directions and labeling. It is very important to everyone for the safety of their families and neighbors. Often times problems may arise from the use of a pesticide and catastrophes may spiral out of control. Health risk can be associated with the improper use of pesticides no matter the good intentions.

You must follow all Label, SDS and directions of use with each pesticide. The failure to follow these simple recommendations may lead to your safety, those of your family, those of your pests and possibly neighbors. I constantly hear about fire, overuse of aerosols, mothballs just thrown throughout the house or DE (Diatomaceous earth). Most aerosols clearly talk about the size of the room and you just have to trust the chemical manufactures who produce this pesticide that it works at label recommendations.

One of my favorite stories is when I go to a house for the first time and I see white powder all around the home. Products like dust are to be applied into cracks and crevices, not spread everywhere were they may come into contact with children and or pets. Many products like mothballs are supposed to be in areas where you shouldn’t breath it in on a daily basis, hidden away in a closet properly sealed with door frame and bottom sweeps. All this with the intent of not breathing in pesticide fumes.

“Bedbug Treatments Can Be Hazardous” by Brian Mylar, KSAT 12 News Reporter

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DIY Photo by NPMA

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