Don't Let The Bedbugs Bite
Bedbugs are equal opportunity pests. Exterminators report they've gotten rid of bedbug infestations in Fortune 500 companies and low-priced hotels. They've been found in movie theatres in good neighborhoods and bad.
People can pick the bugs up through human contact; from mattresses in hotel rooms; even a park bench. Kids can bring them home from camp or sleepovers.
How do you figure out if you've got them? Bedbugs are wingless creatures that are up to a quarter inch long. You can actually see them with the naked eye. They have a little bit of a red tinge to them. They are flat and oval in shape.
You know if you've been bit by them if you get small, itchy, red bumps that appear in clusters or in a row.
You can double check that they are not look-alike insects by going on www.Health.com/bedbugs.
It's very difficult to get rid of them.
One pest control expert we spoke to is clear about the best way to do it.
John Russell, at Action Bed Bug Control, says you must use a two-pronged approach.
"Applying chemicals by itself," says Russell "is not enough. You have to also incorporate steam or freezing."
His company also uses highly trained dogs to pick up the presence of bedbugs.
"Dogs are 95-98% accurate," says Russell. "They get the same kind of training as bomb-sniffing, drug-sniffing or arson dogs. Instead they sniff for bedbugs. Dogs smell parts per trillion."
They're also fast.
"Dogs can go through a hotel room in two minutes. They can detect even the eggs," says Russell.
"Humans are only 30% accurate and one hotel room could take a person up to a half hour. They've got to actually see them. They have to tear up headboards, go through curtains."
That takes time. And Russell cautions it is usually never a one-time treatment.
"We usually have to retreat at least once. We also give a 90-day warranty."
Bedbugs are tough.
"They don't want to leave," said Russell, "we are their only food source. They're not looking to be found during the daytime and unfortunately most technicians only work during the day. So if they're hiding it's going to be tough to find them."
If you want to try and get rid of them yourself first remove all sheets and bedspreads and even the bed skirt if you have one. Put them in plastic bags and freeze them. If you'd rather go the steaming route, put them all in the washer on a hot water cycle and wash everything every three days until the infestation is gone. Also take a look at every piece of furniture in the room and if you spot them, scrub every surface.
Vacuum and dispose of the vacuum bag immediately.
If you can't do the job yourself call a pest control service.
The extermination process is very expensive. The cost of getting rid of bedbugs in a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan can run you a $1,000.
Make sure any extermination service you use is licensed. They are licensed by the state.
To contact John Russell's company go to their website at www.actionpestcontrol.com.
Comments: 20
Ewww I hate to even mention bugs. Thanks Howard :) *visioninmyhead* Great, now I'm itchy.
Seriously, thanks for the info..
:-)
Please remember to do your research when hiring a PCO. K9's are a great assets when inspecting for bed bugs, but remember not all K9's are certified!!!! Treatment cost alot of money, so be careful on who you hire
Help me Howard! My partner and I moved into a one bedroom apartment RIGHT next door to our two bedroom because I lost my job and we thought it would save us money. It wound up costing us sooo much money and SOOO much headache because the place had bedbugs. The person before us was evicted for being a slop, he had many cats and the place even still smells like urine. The first week I couldnt stop sneezing because I am allergic to cats. The place was disgusting and the Super said he cleaned the best he could. I have pictures of the place and it is nasty. After a week being here we realized that all the mosquito bites were actually bedbug bites. Since then we have been living out of plastic bags and plastic bins with our clothes in them. They have sone two treatments, and we still have them. My dogs have had an allergic reaction to something in the house and it's cost me over $400 just for that. The building management has offered to terminate the lease and let us go but I don't want to leave without knowing they will not follow. They refunded me the first 15 days for the cleaning I had to do. They are also moving me into the same apartment but different floor next week. I sent them about $500 in receipts for reimbursement, but havent heard back from that. They are helping me in some ways but I think it's just so the bugs don't travel to other apartments. My question to you is what can I ask from my building management? Can I ask for more from them. When we move next week I will be leaving behind my two couches, two sofa chairs, bed frame because we are afraid there are mites on them. Should they pay us for the replacements? What a nightmare, we shouldve stayed where we were. Let me know if you can help answer these questions.
My family has been dealing with this issue for almost two weeks. We are trying the DIY method and bought different sprays and even a special gas to kill them. So far nothing worked! The interesting part is that I am the only one that they bite. They don't touch my boyfriend and mom. I have bites all over my body and can't get sleep. I feel paranoid that something is biting me while I am in bed. The scary part is that I am being bitten and it is not the work of my imagination. I DON'T know what to do. OUCH!!!!!! Help Please!
Danny,
TO be honest with you even if you leave all your furniture behind, you will still bring the bed bugs with you. They will be in your clothing, picture frames, shoes you've had in the closet and haven't worn! They can be anywhere and everywhere. Chances are if your apartment has had this problem before you moved in, your neighbors also have bed bugs. You have to do all preparation before treatment and hire a reputable PCO. A thorough chemical treatment by a licensed and PCO with EXPERIENCE in dealing with bug bugs is your only option.
LR,
You will do more harm than good trying to get rid of these bugs on you own, for starters you are dealing with chemical! These chemicals can actually harm you and get you very sick if you do not use them in the proper way! If you still choose to tackle this job on your own at least read the label and follow the instructions. You may be using the same chemical a PCO would use, but if you are not applying it the proper way, and doing the proper preparation before treatment you will not get rid of these bed bugs!
I've had bedbugs since August and their only eating me. I sprayed around my bed and other furnitures. I also placed littel bombs for them in my house and a pest controler sprayed around my bed. I even vaccumed around it. But their still there and I have't slept there in two week!! Is there anything else that can be done to get rid of them?
I've had bedbugs since August and their only eating me. I sprayed around my bed and other furnitures. I also placed littel bombs for them in my house and a pest controler sprayed around my bed. I even vaccumed around it. But their still there and I have't slept there in two week!! Is there anything else that can be done to get rid of them?
Steph,
The worst thing you can do to try to kill bed bugs is use aresol bombs. You will actually make the problem worse. It is not uncommon for only one person to experience a reaction to the bites. I have had many cases of couples sleeping together and only one experiencing bites. The PCO you paid to come to your house did not do a proper treatment, spraying around your bed is not sufficient. You will want to sleep in the room after a proper treatment is done, so that it can be effective!
So should I just call another PCO?
So should I just call another PCO?
Steph,
I would say so, you should look in your phone book and call a few of them! You should also make a list of questions and ask away, they should have a problem answering your questions. Compare the types of treatments and service, as about prepping before treatment. Some PCO will promise you 5 visits, it doesn't mean that their treatment will be more effective than the one offering 2 or 3.
Make sure they are licensed and insured.
I travel a lot, or at least, I try too, and I always change my sheets at least 2 or 3 times a week. Yes, bedbugs scare me. I remember that old rhyme. DON'T LET THE BED BUGS BITE. I didn't give it much thought when I was a kid, but now it's something to worry about when you travel and have to sleep in a strange bed. I always take a good look at the bed I'm sleeping in when I'm traveling. Yes, I'm due for another trip...my plans have changed somewhat, but, I'm hoping to be on the road again soon....Lee
Action Termite and Pest Control has three certified bed bug dogs. Each dog has over 800 hours of training and receive ongoing training. Having a certification is important however, having experience handlers that constantly train and work with the dog is very important.
Action's bed bug control is the most effective method for eradicating bed bug infestations from one bedroom apartments to large mult-unit facilities. Hotels, Apartment complexes, and buildings of all types benefit from the speed and accuracy.
Action is your source for bed bug dog inspections and bed bug control.
Action Termite and Pest Control has three certified bed bug dogs. Each dog has over 800 hours of training and receive ongoing training. Having a certification is important however, having experience handlers that constantly train and work with the dog is very important.
Action's bed bug control is the most effective method for eradicating bed bug infestations from one bedroom apartments to large mult-unit facilities. Hotels, Apartment complexes, and buildings of all types benefit from the speed and accuracy.
Action is your source for bed bug dog inspections and bed bug control.
Russell,
Who are your dogs certified by? The only certification available for canines is a NESDECA Certification. I looked at their site, and don't see any teams from your company certified!!!!!
help me Howard!
We are certified by the Florida Canine Accademy and Bill Whitstine, the first and only Master Trainer to certify bed bug dogs.
Additionally, we are also founding members of IFEDCA, the International Forensic Entomology Detection Canine Association and are working are proper certification for the industy as a hole.
NESDCA, in our view, is simply a marketing group for one trainer, whose dogs, we have researched and considered but found to be poorly trained. Just because you create an association does not qualify you to be a Master Trainer.
Again, Florida Canine Accademy, from the prosecution of a murder arsonist with Florid's first arson detection dog to the training of a one of a kind indigo snake detection dog for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Master Trainer, Bill Whitstine has had numerous accomplishments with the Florida Canine Academy and was the first to train Bed Bug Dogs.
In our opinion, if you don't have a Florida Canine Academy dog, your certification means nothing.
Russell,
I find it comical how you consider "the other" trainers dogs poorly trained yet you use the study from the univerity of florida. Did you know that the university of florida found bed bug dogs to be 99% accurate using "the other" trainers dogs?
What qualifies Bill Whitstine a Master Trainer? Dont you think a trainer that certifies his own dogs will be bias? I am not knocking Bills's ability to trainer, the only thing i am saying is that you have not obtained an independent certification.
As for NESDECA, they are an independent certification, and they are associated with the NPMA! NESDCA and the NPMA are working together to set standards!
"The Other" trainer does not certify his own dogs. You should bash another trainer, especially when using their research findings!
On a side not I am located in NY not FLORIDA just in case you think i work for "the other" trainer!
Russell,
One more question!
Who and what does qualify you as a master trainer?
Florida case law has established the requirements for a Master Trainer.
In Florida, you must qualify as a Master Trainer to certify a dog for a forensic purpose such as arson or explosives detection.
NESDCA appears to have a rather incestuous relationship with Pepe, J&K and UF.
NESDCA claims to be independent, but they have never certified a dog that wasn't trained by Pepe & his associates.
NESDCA only represents a small minority of the K9s that are trained for this application.
To state that NESDCA is associated with NPMA is very premature.
The NPMA board of directors has not approved any affiliation with NPMA as of this date.