All posts in “bed bugs”

Have you read the news lately about bugs?

 

I’m truly amazed when it comes to what kids do, I think the biggest thing I ever remember doing as a kid was to push my curfew. Of course I was a great kid, just saying! But have you read about kids crushing up Bed Bugs and smoking them – well its all a hoax – Snopes.com. My first thought when I did hear this story on the radio was where are they getting all these Bed Bugs from?

Origins: April 2014 saw the proliferation of Internet accounts, based on a purported local television news spot from Phoenix station KNXV, reporting the latest alleged shocking schoolyard trend: kids smoking or injecting crushed bedbugs to get a cheap high from a hallucinogenic substance (PH-417) supposedly contained within those critters:
Read more at http://www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/bedbugs.asp#H3eGijCxUuuLrwoB.99

The latest news story concerns “Beezin” teens supposedly slatering eyelids with Burt’s Bee lip balm to experience tingly high.

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Bed Bugs hiding under wallpaper

Origins:   April 2014 saw the proliferation of Internet accounts, based on a purported local television news spot from Phoenix station KNXV, reporting the latest alleged shocking schoolyard trend: kids smoking or injecting crushed bedbugs to get a cheap high from a hallucinogenic substance (PH-417) supposedly contained within those critters:
Read more at http://www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/bedbugs.asp#H3eGijCxUuuLrwoB.99
Origins:   April 2014 saw the proliferation of Internet accounts, based on a purported local television news spot from Phoenix station KNXV, reporting the latest alleged shocking schoolyard trend: kids smoking or injecting crushed bedbugs to get a cheap high from a hallucinogenic substance (PH-417) supposedly contained within those critters:
Read more at http://www.snopes.com/horrors/parental/bedbugs.asp#H3eGijCxUuuLrwoB.99

Do you think Bed Bugs care about the cold?

 

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr I was in Washington D.C. this month and it was freezing. I was in the Jefferson Memorial and in walked this kid with shorts on, I had to ask and yes he was from Vermont. He has Maple syrup for blood, cause the wind was whipping off that little lake and I had a goretex jacket on. But anyway I just heard that Bed Bugs are on the increase in Alaska. “Bed Bugs are calling Alaska home at increasing numbers“.

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Photo by PPMA

So take care when traveling or letting folks stay at your home. Bed Bugs continue to impact libraries and hotels are alarming rates.

Are you protecting yourself against bed bugs

 

Recently I stayed at a  motel and as always I check the room, these are a few of the ways I protect myself. No sense bringing something home that you hadn’t planned on.

Some do’s and some don’ts…

Do – hang your clothes on shower rods and place luggage in bathroom. I just leave my clothes in the bathroom, helps with the wrinkles and I have never brought home pests.

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Don’t place on bed, chairs  or dresser – if bed bugs are in the furniture it is important not to allow them to come home.

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By the no bed bugs were present, they must know who they are dealing with…

The saga continues – with Bed Bugs of course

 

I’m not trying to scare anyone but this Bed Bug thing continues, yes we are still getting calls weekly about these little biters. So really what is the answer, I just want to amke sure sure you are informed. Visit National Pest Management Association (NPMA) for all things bed bugs.

They are showing up at weird and unexpected places. Sometimes we become detectives in learning how and when they arrived at the place in question. This story out of Nebraska just goes to show where they may or may not pop in from “Claim denied for Bed Bug removal” the claimant believes his daughter picked them up from a 4-H camp.

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Photo provided by PPMA

 

What does IPM Integrated Pest Management have to do with Bed Bugs

 

IPM or “Integrated Pest Management is a process involving common sense and sound solutions for treating and controlling pests. These solutions incorporate three basic steps: 1) inspection, 2) identification and 3) treatment. Treatment options vary from sealing cracks and removing food and water sources to pesticide treatments when necessary.”

 

Bed Bugs and you – TIPS

  1. Encasements keep the bed bugs trapped inside the mattress or box springs until they die if missed during the initial treatment.
  2. Prevent bed bugs from hiding inside beds, making an infestation harder to find and treat.
  3. Offers a first line of defense to stop bed bugs, even before they have been detected by you.

Encasements are a valuable tool to homeowners and people who either travel or have guest stopping by often. Encasements will also help to make that mattress or box spring last a little longer.

Photo by PPMA

Photo by PPMA

 

Tort Reform?

Tort Reform

Tort reform? I think all of us remember that now famous issue with the very HOT coffee incident years ago, but a little information just as a reminder. A lady ordered coffee at a fast food restaurant and put if between her legs and it spilled or the cup broke anyway HOT coffee in her lap.

First off – Don’t put hot coffee between your legs, I would think that goes without saying! But apparently not. Well here is another one of those stories.

Lawsuit: Bedbugs cost H-F Coach her Dreadlocks.”       So anyway here is my take on this issue.

  1. Bed Bugs DON’T live on humans. Lice do but not Bed Bugs.
  2. It sounds like the hotel, responded to the complaint next door and it sounds like they inspected adjacent rooms. Good Job. (I’m only reading a report of the incident, I wasn’t there.)
  3. With all the talk of Bed Bugs everyone should be aware of these little bugs.
  4. I’ve mentioned this before, Don’t Panic – don’t throw away mattresses and I see no reason to cut your hair. I know the creep factor is involved but come on, let’s not go overboard. $50,000 lawsuit see this is why we need Tort Reform. (my opinion)

I gave a talk years ago on Exceptional Customer Service – Do you know why all those items we use daily have warnings on them? Superman costume – not equipped to actually fly, lawnmower – do not place hands under mower when mower is operating, its because someone did it? I do realize we all do some dumb stuff but shouldn’t we really take responsibility for our own actions? So what do you think?

THINK BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING!

Study on Bed Bugs, BBC News.

 

Catching the Mother of all Bed Bugs” by Sean Coughlan BBC news correspondent.

Genetic analysis has shown that a single pregnant bed bug that escapes detection can be responsible for an entire infestation, rapidly producing generations of offspring.

This may explain the ongoing issues with Bed Bugs, this story came from London. I’ve heard that the use of baits and not spraying may have lead to the rebound of those little biters. Maybe the widespread travel, they can be on one side of the world and tomorrow on our doorstep. So please take care and keep those critters out of your life.

A few tips:

  1. All Things Bed Bugs.
  2. 10 Tips (NPMA) to protect yourself.
  3. Bed Bug registry.
  4. ProBest Pest Management Bed Bug page.
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Bed Bug Nymphs photo by PPMA

 

Are bed bugs continuing to be a big problem?

 

 

Bed Bugs are continuing their rise to a real pest in the U.S. and according to Orkin it doesn’t look like they are slowing down. Orkin has been keeping track of bed bugs calls within their company and provide data to keep officials and the public informed. “Chicago tops bed bug cities list for second year in a row“.

Phoenix is up seven from 35 to 28, so here are a few tips from me to keep you informed as well.

  1. Just be aware of the issue, don’t panic. Many people are bitten by various bugs like mites, mosquitoes and think they have bed bugs. If you are being bitten isolate the area (by that I mean the area in the home) see what you can see. Check beds for fecal spotting (when bed bugs bite they eject old blood feces etc), if you see something moving catch it and keep it handy for an expert.
  2. If you travel take precautions, I hand my clothes from the shower rod and put my luggage on the bathroom vanity and that is where it stays. Check the bed and close furniture and if you see something inform management and move to another room.
  3. Remember bed bugs just don’t hang out on beds.
  4. When returning home, unpack in garage or outside and check luggage. Wash everything and high heat, wrap luggage in black garbage bag and if you’re AZ put it in sun especially during summer 113 – 120 degrees in ideal to bake them.
  5. Keep an eye out if you have guests or frequent visitors, they can travel in backpacks.
  6. I’ll repeat “Don’t Panic!” call a Pest Management Professional, as I think this is not a “Do It Yourself” (DIY) program.

 

How tough is it to control House Dust Mites?

 

First off let me address this from the very start, House Dust Mites are not a pest control issue. We deal with them in connection with Bed Bugs from time to time and really only as a matter of mattress or box spring encasements. I wanted to address this bug in that manner, encasements are the way to go with this bug.

Our homes are their homes, they love human and pet dander or skin flakes. This debris will fall everywhere, carpets, bedding, furniture and furniture. This dust or debris will become airborne and vacuuming is essential in keeping things in check. Along with cockroach skins and dust mites excrement may cause asthma or breathing issues.

A gram of dust vacuumed from carpeting may contain 100-400 and 1 gram of dust vacuumed from furniture may contain 3500 mites.

Encasements are a great way to protect your mattress or box spring investment and keep the dust mites out. Control is possible but it is a ongoing management concern.

MicronOne

Remember the old days and vinyl mattress covers.

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I remember those days, those old mattress covers were made out of vinyl or plastic, they crinkled and were hot when you slept on them. Even today we see the cheaper units that are uncomfortable and nothing makes for a bad night of sleep like this. If you’re going to spend money – buy a mattress encasement which provides breath-ability and comfort. I have seen some of those cheaper covers rip just putting them on a mattress and then what?

Nothing makes you crankier than not getting a good nights sleep!

MicronOne

Call ProBest Pest Management or stop by to see a real mattress encasement.

480-831-9328 or 623414-0176 425 W. Guadalupe Rd #110, Gilbert 85233

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