Tag: Bed Bugs
Below are posts about information on the prevention, control and elimination of the recent bed bug resurgence. JP McHale has a Bed Bug Care Package to offer consumers way to monitor for bed bugs!
Posted on May 13, 2013 with No Comments
The tiny, bloodsucking arthropods have burrowed so deeply and so broadly into the cracks, crevices and cushions of Greater Cincinnati’s households, they’ve literally given the city an itch it can’t scratch enough to make it go away.
But there’s hope. Regina Baucom, an assistant professor of biological sciences at the University of Cincinnati, has researched the DNA of local bed bug populations, and she’s found something that could lead to a better way to control the notoriously tough insects.
Baucom’s research paper was published in PLOS ONE. Additional contributors to Baucom’s research were Sara Matthews, a technician in the Baucom lab, and Rita Rio, an assistant professor of biology at West Virginia University. First author of the study is Matt Meriweather, a senior biological sciences major in UC’s McMicken College of Arts & Sciences.
Story Source: The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Cincinnati. The original article was written by Tom Robinette.
“This research makes use of pyrosequencing to give us a relatively unbiased view of what bacteria are in or on the bed bugs around the city, and is an ecological genomics question applied to the bed bug problem in Cincinnati,” Baucom says.
A Long-Suffering City’s Scientific Salvation?
For the past few years Cincinnati has been at or near the top of lists of most bed bug-infested cities in the nation as ranked by pest control companies such as Terminix and Orkin. In 2008, bed bugs were becoming such a nuisance in Cincinnati that the health department developed the Bed Bug Strategic Plan, one of the first of its kind in the nation. Cincinnati isn’t alone in its bed bug misery. Many factors — including the creature’s resistance to insecticides — have contributed to a surge in bed bug activity across the U.S. during the past decade.
The bed bug’s ability to survive common pest control applications is part of what originally attracted Baucom to this research. She’s interested in studying alternative defense strategies of biological organisms and has done USDA-supported research on the common morning glory’s resistance to herbicides.
For her work on bed bugs, Baucom and her team performed genetic analysis on 31 individual bed bugs from eight distinct collections obtained from different residences in Cincinnati. This gave Baucom a clearer picture of which microbes were associated with the bed bugs and the locations where these microbes were concentrated. The central idea: The better the understanding of a bed bug population’s microbial makeup and whereabouts, the better the chances of finding improved ways of controlling that population.
“Our research could be a useful starting point for someone interested in various aspects of biocontrol, potentially similar to the mosquito story,” Baucom says.
Bacteria a Possible Weakness to Exploit
She found that 97 percent of the microbial community is made up of two dominant bacterial types. One of these bacteria, Wolbachia, is a nutritional mutualist, in this case assisting the bed bug with growth and reproduction. There is less known about the other bacterium, an unnamed gamma-proteobacteria, but it also might serve a beneficial function for its host. The abundance and consistency of these bacteria and the seemingly important role they play in bed bug health make them a prime target for biological pest control methods.
“Finding out how the microbial community varies across different areas gives you an idea of what’s out there naturally and thus what to expect,” Baucom says. “Studies of the core microbiome, or the microbial community that might be necessary for the happy functioning of an organism, are really taking off in relation to human health initiatives and can provide basic information critical to the next step: What happens to the organism when there are deviations from the core microbiome?”
When it comes to happily functioning, if bed bugs are, humans aren’t. The little creepers are like vampires — they feed on human blood, prefer the cover of darkness and are hard to kill. Their bites have been known to cause itchy rashes, anaphylaxis and other reactions. Existing research is unclear as to whether bed bugs directly transmit harmful pathogens to humans the way mosquitoes or ticks do, but nearly 50 human pathogens have been identified within or on bed bugs or their waste. Baucom’s study alone uncovered five genera to which known or assumed human pathogen species belong.
Considering such serious public health implications, Baucom advocates further examination of the parasite’s core microbiome. Funding for her research was provided by UC and the Department of Biological Sciences. But without that direct link from bed bug to human, additional research funding can be as difficult to find as bed bugs are to exterminate.
“Because there are few links showing transmission of disease from bed bugs to humans, funding for basic research on bed bugs has been scarce,” Baucom says. “This is unfortunate, because they certainly can cause psychological harm to people and allergic reactions.”
Discovery of direct pathogen transmission could one day bring additional support for research and eventually a better weapon to battle the little beasts.
Posted on April 29, 2013 with No Comments
From the New Rochelle Public Library:The New Rochelle Public Library will be closed on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 to allow for pest management treatment of the main library’s interior. Pest management experts have identified three specific areas in the library with some bedbug activity. Although this activity has not adversely impacted patrons or staff, the library administration is taking every precaution to ensure that the
problem does not spread.
Pest management experts were immediately called in after one insect was found. On April 28th a trained dog investigated all areas in the entire building, indicating the bedbug evidence in one desk, and in a piece of furniture and in a drawer in areas off-limits to patrons. All three items have been destroyed and discarded.
A professional firm will be treating the areas on April 30th. “Although the pest management firm has assured us that, given the size of the building, the areas affected and the amount of activity is small, we are taking all possible measure to protect our patrons and staff,” said library Director Tom Geoffino.
“To ensure everyone’s safety following the treatment, we have elected to close the library for the day,” he said.
The library will resume normal operating hours on Wednesday, May 1st. The Huguenot Children’s Library will remain open on Tuesday, April 30th.
The pest management firm’s trained dog will continue making inspections on a regular basis. The next visit will occur in a few weeks, with quarterly visits following.
Posted on April 22, 2013 with No Comments
National Pest Management Association and University of Kentucky find nearly all pest professionals in the U.S. have treated bed bugs in the past year; most in residential settings.
The new 2013 Bugs Without Borders Survey conducted by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the University of Kentucky, found that bed bug infestations in the United States continue at high rates and the pest is as much, if not more of a problem than in years past. The survey of U.S. pest management professionals, found that 99.6 percent of respondents encountered bed bug infestations in the past year and that infestations have increased in the majority of locations in which pest professionals typically treat for bed bugs. The study is being released during Bed Bug Awareness Week (April 22 through 26), a national observance by NPMA and Chase’s Book of Lists to help spread public awareness about bed bugs and what people can do to help curb infestations
This is the third survey from NPMA and the University of Kentucky which tracks the bed bug problem since the resurgence of the pest began in earnest about three years ago. The previous survey was conducted in 2011.
According to the survey, bed bugs are overwhelmingly found in private residences including apartments, condominiums and single-family homes and the incidence of infestations in these environments is slightly higher compared to the 2011 findings.
“These results clearly show that there is still much work to be done in the fight against bed bugs,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “As Americans prepare for summer travel, enroll their children in summer camps and college students return home, we hope that these survey findings and Bed Bug Awareness Week observances will remind the public that bed bugs are still very much a problem and that with education and vigilance we can work together to decrease the easy spread of bed bugs.”
Below are the top five findings from the 2013 Bugs Without Borders Survey:
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Nearly all (99.6 percent) pest professionals have treated bed bugs in the past year, slightly higher than the 99 percent that reported the same in 2011.
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The majority of bed bug infestations occur in residential settings, such as apartments/condominiums and single-family homes, with 98 percent and 96 percent of respondents treating these dwellings respectively. Two years ago, about nine out of ten respondents reported treating infestations in these settings.
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As in previous years, survey respondents continue to treat for bed bugs in a variety of places outside private residences, such as college dorms, hotels, nursing homes, offices, schools and daycare centers, hospitals, public transportation and others:
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- Hotels/motels – 75 percent (80 percent in 2011)
- College dorms – 47 percent (54 percent in 2011)
- Nursing homes – 46 percent (46 percent in 2011)
- Office buildings – 36 percent (38 percent in 2011)
- Schools and day care centers – 41 percent (36 percent in 2011)
- Hospitals – 33 percent (31 percent in 2011)
- Transportation (train/bus/taxi) – 21 percent (18 percent in 2011)
- Movie theaters – 10 percent (17 percent in 2011)
- Retail stores – 15 percent (21 percent in 2011)
- Libraries – 12 percent (8 percent in 2011)
- Restaurants – 7 percent (6 percent in 2011)
- Airplanes – 2 percent (6 percent in 2011)
- Laundromats – 9 percent (6 percent in 2011)
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NOTE: Percentages denote professionals reporting treating bed bugs in specific locations.
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Clutter contributes to the problem as approximately two-thirds of respondents point to homeowner clutter as the biggest customer-oriented challenge in treating bed bugs, while 58 percent say customers not following advice and 16 percent point to re-infestation. Bed bugs continue to be the most difficult pest to treat according the 76 percent of respondents.
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Although not a seasonal pest, prime bed bug time appears to be during the summer months with nearly half (49 percent) of respondents saying infestations occur most often then and least often in the winter. While pest professionals are divided over whether there is “peak season” for bed bugs, more than half of those who notice a seasonal difference receive more calls during summer. Since people tend to travel and relocate more during the summer months, it is possible that a greater number of people unknowingly transport the bugs back home from their travels, or discover them soon after moving.
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More information can be found at AllThingsBedBugs.org, NPMA’s resource on everything bed bug related, from prevention tips to current news.
The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 7,000 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry’s commitment to the protection of public health, food and property. For more information, visit PestWorld.org.
Posted on February 12, 2013 with No Comments
Learning more about the behavior of bed bugs is one approach being used by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists to identify compounds to help control these pests.
ARS scientists are identifying new compounds to control bed bugs. (Credit: Stephen Ausmus)
The resurgence of bed bugs over the last decade has caused problems in major U.S. cities where they infest homes, apartments, hotels, shelters and even places of work. The small, blood-feeding insects are not known to transmit diseases, but they can cause severe reactions in people who are allergic to them. Bed bugs usually go unnoticed until their numbers increase significantly, and getting rid of them can be costly.
Entomologist Mark Feldlaufer and chemist Kamlesh Chauhan at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Beltsville, Md., have identified two new alarm pheromones — 4-oxo-hexenal and 4-oxo-octenal — in immature bed bugs. The releasing of alarm pheromones, which are defensive compounds, causes aggregated bed bugs to scatter.
Scientists collected cast skins that retain chemicals from the bed bug’s scent glands and then used gas chromatography and mass spectrometry technology to analyze and identify compounds. Swedish researchers subsequently identified the same compounds from a related species, the tropical bed bug, demonstrating that the compounds are biologically active.
This indicates that alarm pheromones may have implications in bed bug management, according to Feldlaufer, who works at BARC’s Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory. By causing insects to disperse, the likelihood of bed bugs coming into contact with a control agent increases.
ARS and University of Nevada-Reno scientists also identified 17 compounds in the bed bug’s outer protective layer of skin, a discovery they believe may play an important role in bed bug aggregation behavior.
Source: Science Daily
Posted on January 31, 2013 with No Comments
Jan. 30, 2013 — Bed bugs are on the rise and $1,000 per day ordinances are being suggested in cities like Chicago to enforce combat of the pests. “Know thy enemy,” says Jorge Parada, MD, medical director, infection control, Loyola University Health System. “There are lots of myths out there about bed bugs and people may be getting caught up over nothing.”
Dr. Parada offers these top ten tips for keeping bed bugs at bay.
Bed bugs are attracted by warmth and carbon dioxide. “If you are alive, warm and breathing then you are a bed bug magnet,” says Parada.
Just because you don’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not there. “Look closely because bed bugs are very hard to see. Bed bugs love to hide in the cracks and crevices associated with mattresses, cushions, bed frames and other structures. They are rarely seen out in the open or on the resting surface of beds or chairs,” says Parada, who also is a medical spokesperson for the National Pest Management Association. “Bed bugs are champions of hide-and-seek. It is not uncommon to miss the bed bugs altogether, so also look for tell tale signs of bed bug infestation. These may be suspected if specks of blood or feces are found on the linens, mattresses or behind wallpaper.”
What does a bed bug look like? “There is more than one type of bed bug and in the United States the vast majority of infestations are due to Cimex lectularius. These bed bugs have flat oval bodies, are reddish-brown in color and are similar in size to a dog tick,” says Parada. “Bed bugs are sometimes described as appearing like an apple seed. Adult bedbugs range in size from 5-7 mm (<1/4 inch), while nymphs (juveniles) may be a small is 1.5 mm (1/16 of an inch). With feeding, they enlarge, or engorge, with blood. The adults turn from more brown to more red in color, while the translucent nymphs may become bright red.”
Bed bugs typically bite at night on exposed areas of skin (such as the face, neck, hands, and arms.) “The bite itself is painless and usually goes undetected at the time,” says Parada. ” Bed bugs inject anticoagulant (a blood thinner) as they feed (which usually takes 5-10 minutes) which both makes feeding easier for the bed bug and less detectable to you. ”
Bed bug bites can look a lot like other insect bites. “Clues that can suggest the presence of bed bugs include finding red, itchy bites upon awakening — especially if the bites line up in a row on the skin,” says Parada. “However, while some people develop a bite reaction immediately, others may take two to three days before a reaction becomes noticeable, and not all people react to bites. A bed bug bite can appear as a tiny puncture wound without a surrounding reaction, and can easily be missed (30% of individuals living in bed bug-infested dwellings report a lack of bites or skin reactions). This appears to be more common amongst the elderly. On the other hand, other people have exuberant reactions, with large, red, raised and itchy welts. This is especially true if one becomes sensitized to bed bug bites, so that with repeated bites there may be an exaggerated reaction to the bite.”
In infestations, with persistent exposures, bed bug bites may appear in crops. “Given that bed bug bites usually take three to six weeks to heal, as long as the infestation is still present, new bites may accumulate even as the older ones disappear,” says Parada. ” Thus, people may have various bite reactions in various stages of evolution at the same time.”
Bed bug bites do not typically require treatment. “Clean the bite site(s) with soap and water and avoid scratching so as to prevent infection. If secondary infection occurs it should be managed with antibiotics as appropriate,” says Parada. “Progressive swelling, warmth, tenderness, and sometimes (albeit rarely) fever may be signs of secondary infection. Much more common are complaints of itching. For severe itching it is reasonable to try topical steroid creams or oral antihistamines for relief.”
Unlike mosquitoes and ticks, bed bugs are not associated with disease transmission. “It is bad enough if you get bed bugs. At least it is good you won’t get anything else from them!” says Parada. While some pathogens have been detected in and on bed bugs — including hepatitis B, and exotic organisms such as Trypanosoma cruzi (cause of Chaga’s Disease, not found in the United States) or Wolbachia species — bed bugs have not been found to transmit disease.
Bed bugs do not transmit MRSA. “There have been reports of persons developing methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, such as a boil or abscess, associated with bed bugs bites, but it turns out the bed bugs really weren’t at fault,” says Parada. ” Rather, MRSA infections associated with bed bug bites are actually an example of scratching leading to minor skin trauma and subsequent secondary bacterial infection. In these cases, people who are carriers of MRSA scratch at the bites and provide a port of entry for the MRSA (which was already present on their skin) to get in and under the skin and cause the secondary infection. The bed bug can be blamed for the itch, but not for the infection.”
Some people experience anxiety, sleeplessness, and unease as a result of having had bed bugs. “Bed bug infestations are understandably significant psychosocial stressors, and some people may experience sleeplessness as they worry about bugs biting them or their family members,” says Parada. ” People have been known to self-isolate, avoiding family and friends out of concern for spreading the infestation, or (if word gets out that they had bed bugs) they may be avoided by friends or others in the community, or find they have problems at work. As a result, victims of bed bug infestations may experience moderate to severe levels of stress, anxiety, and depression and should seek treatment as required.”
Finally, when it comes to controlling bed bugs this is definitely not a case of “do it yourself.”
“Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate and there is good reason to get professional help,” says Parada. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorses that appropriate control of bed bug infestation requires an experienced pest management professional and recommends that victims be advised against attempting control measures themselves.
Source: Science Daily
Posted on November 28, 2012 with No Comments
According to a team of Penn State entomologists, biopesticides — naturally occurring microorganisms — might provide an answer to this pest problem.
According to Nina Jenkins, senior research associate in entomology, preliminary bioassays on the effects of Beauveria bassiana — a natural fungus that causes disease in insects — on bedbug control have been performed, and the results are encouraging. She and her colleagues report their results in the most recent issue of the Journal of Invertebrate Pathology. Next, the researchers will test the effectiveness of brief exposure times and look at entire populations where natural harborages are established. Then they will begin field work.
There is currently no silver bullet for elimination of bed bugs but researchers are constantly to come up with the silver bullet. JP McHale Pest Management is a leader in bed bug inspections and remediation. Have a bed bug question, give our office a call at (800) 479-2284 for immediate attention, live chat with us, tweet us, email us.
Posted on October 20, 2012 with No Comments
Do you live in New Rochelle and need to discard your mattress because it is either old or you have bed bugs? The City of New Rochelle sanitation will still pick it up and get rid of it for you, but now there is more you will have to do. At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Council voted to require that all mattresses and box springs be bagged and sealed with packing tape before they will be removed. Mayor Noam Bramson said the city’s intent was to protect its worker from being exposed to bedbugs. “That is certainly a legitimate concern for us,” he said. Alexander Tergis, the commissioner of public works, said with the increase of bedbug infestations in the area the number of discarded mattresses has increased as well.
“It’s double the amount of mattresses we are picking up,” he said, adding that people should call to arrange for a pick up but city workers have been picking them up anyway. Tergis said the bags can be purchased from stores like Wal-Mart. He said when people call to schedule a mattress pickup they will be told that the bagging requirement is in effect and will be given information as to where they can be obtained.
City Manager Charles Strome III said initially if people place a mattress out to be picked up and it is not bagged and sealed, a note will be left telling them what to do. Eventually citations will be issued, Tergis said.
Posted on September 18, 2012 with 1 Comment
FTC Charges Bed Bug Companies with Deceptive Advertising: Are you looking for do-it-yourself pest control for bed bugs? Bed bugs are known as one of the hardest pests to detect and rid from a structure and hiring a pest control company with the proper tools and knowledge to handle your situation is imperative.
There are many do-it-yourself bed bug products that you can find in stores such as Home Depot, but how do you know if they really work as claimed?
Some firms are under fire for failing to back up claims that products could prevent and eliminate bed bug infestations. The Federal Trade Commission(FTC) has filed deceptive advertising charges against two marketers of remedies for bed bug infestations, who allegedly failed to back up claims they could prevent and eliminate infestations using natural ingredients like cinnamon and cedar oil.
In one of the two cases, RMB Group and its principals have agreed to settle the charges relating to its “Rest Easy” bed bug products. In the case against Cedarcide Industries and others, challenging “Best Yet!” bed bug and head lice treatments, has not yet been settled, according to the FTC.
In both cases, the FTC charged the marketing companies and individuals behind them with deceptive advertising for claiming the products can stop and prevent infestations. The Cedarcide defendants are also charged with making commercial establishments for treating bedbugs, and to school districts for treating head lice.
Read the full FTC release here.
In summary, do you homework and research before attempting to eliminate a bed bug infestation on your own so that you can be sure you are spending your efforts, time and money wisely.
Posted on August 15, 2012 with No Comments
Came across this article in the Daily News today. Yes, bed bugs are still quite prevalent, possibly even more so than in prior years. Well worth reading.
“As more hotels get outed in the news for bed bug infestations, the public has become more aware of the problems that these creatures create. While the term “bed bug” may give the impression of a sleepy, relaxed little creature that somehow winds up in the sheets, the reality is way more alarming.
Flat, oval-shaped and reddish brown, bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are parasites that feed on human blood. They resemble small roaches with horizontal lines on their backs. Though not exclusively nocturnal, bed bugs are mostly active at night. They prefer to live in beds and other places where people sleep, so they can be close to their source of nutrition: Fresh human blood. Because they like beds, they are known as “nest parasites.” However, bed bugs can also be found in couches, chairs, drapes, curtains, in drawers, inside appliances, and in tiny cracks in living spaces. As thin as a credit card, bed bugs can hide in very narrow spaces.
Bed bugs bite, leaving small bite marks which are typically red. Sometimes the bites bleed. Occasionally bed bugs will leave several bites in a row on skin. In many cases, bed bug bites cause itching and nothing more. Sometimes the bites cause insomnia and anxiety, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In some cases these bites can cause allergic reactions, including rashes and infections of the skin and lymph glands. In the most serious of cases, bed bug bites can induce anaphylaxis, a rapid, whole-body allergic reaction characterized by abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, anxiety, swelling, chest and throat problems, and unconsciousness. Anaphylaxis is no joke, often requiring a dose of epinephrine (adrenalin) to save the patient.
Bed bugs feast well in multi-family homes, apartment buildings, cruise ships, buses, trains, nursing homes, dormitories and shelters, where they have a large number of people to feed on. These areas also allow them to easily move from one space to another.
Additionally, bed bugs are superbly adept at hiding. Because they can fit in the tiniest of spaces, they can go unnoticed even when you are specifically seeking them. Hiding in luggage, bed bugs can travel with you wherever you go. When you pack blankets, drapes, towels and other home goods, this provides bed bugs with excellent comfort and transport to a new home, where they can continue to plague you. They are more than happy to come along and feed in a new place.
While control of bed bugs greatly reduced their numbers several decades ago, bed bugs are back in full force and are keeping their own population expansion in line with that of humans. In other words, bed bugs are now once again a big problem. Insignificant resources have been allocated to fighting bed bugs, resulting in what many health officials describe as an epidemic. Increased travel, poor pest control practices and a lack of understanding of these creatures have all contributed to their growth in numbers.
Additionally, bed bugs have become resistant to many forms of pest control that were once effective against them. The banned and deadly chemical DDT, for example, does nothing to them. Some pesticides are effective at killing bed bugs, but they may be too hazardous to use indoors where people live.
To reduce the incidence of bed bugs in your home, seal all cracks in walls and floor planking, remove clutter and vacuum regularly. Vacuuming is a very effective way to suck up bed bugs and reduce their populations in your living space. Another thing you can do is spread diatomaceous earth in areas where you believe bed bugs may be hiding. Used commonly for filtering water in fish tanks and swimming pools, diatomaceous earth is completely non-toxic to humans but makes a mess of bed bugs and roaches. The material is a finely powdered sedimentary rock rich in silica. When bed bugs walk in diatomaceous earth, it adheres to their legs and they lick it off. The sharp silica shreds their insides and kills them. Humans can eat diatomaceous earth without problem.
If you do get bed bug bites, work on an eradication plan. For natural relief, you can apply natural essential oils like tea tree oil, manuka oil or oregano oil directly to bites to ease itching and swelling. You’ll find these oils at natural food stores. Remember, bed bugs are no joke and their numbers are increasing. Keep yourself bite-free by keeping a clean home, and if you do get bitten, turn to natural remedies for relief.”
Chris Kilham is a medicine hunter who researches natural remedies all over the world, from the Amazon to Siberia. He teaches ethnobotany at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he is Explorer In Residence. Chris advises herbal, cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies and is a regular guest on radio and TV programs worldwide. His field research is largely sponsored by Naturex of Avignon, France. Read more at www.MedicineHunter.com.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/08/14/bed-bugs-what-need-to-know/#ixzz23dWeWBDT
Posted on August 7, 2012 with No Comments
August is when students start to pack their belongings to head off to college. One thing you don’t want to forget to do is to protect yourself or your child from bed bugs. Bed bugs are on the rise and college dorm rooms are not immune to bed bugs. Over the past several years many colleges have been in the news due to bed bugs, including the University of Nebraska which just last year faced a campus wide bed bug canine inspection due to a bed bug infestation.
If you or a loved one is heading off to college, be sure to invest in a bed bug care package. The package from J.P. McHale Pest Management includes a set of mattress encasements, 4 climb ups which are plastic devices place under each bed post, and a monitor placed under the mattress that is in cased, they will not prevent, but simply alert you to any signs of a bed bugs infestation upon routine inspection.
For pricing and ordering information please visit our website or call our office toll free at 800-479-2284.
