Sunday, February 15, 2009

The bedbug big three

In my opinion there are three things that the industry needs to be effective in bedbug control.
As of yet there has been no silver bullets that can directly and effectively treat and eliminate bed bugs, which is so unfortunate. The three tools that we would need would be a spray that is formulated using a different chemistry from the ones we presently have. Two would be a growth regulator specific to bed bugs that is potent enough to break the cycle. Three would be for a bed bug specific pheromone trap. These three things would work wonders in a treatment and they are three things we presently lack. I know there is work being done in the field of a pheromone trap, so we will see what the future holds. Hopefully these big three tools will be developed sooner than later.

Importance of bedbug mattress covers

Bedbug mattress and box spring covers are important tools in the treatment of bed bugs in an overall plan. Products like protect-a-bed for bed bugs help in saving the bed and preventing bedbugs from entrenching themselves in all the cracks and crevices of a mattress and the box spring. These bedbug covers help the treating pest control technician because it eliminates the need to have to treat the whole bed, saving him or her time and saving you money. Even if bedbugs are not a problem in your home right now, I would suggest putting them on, especially if you are more susceptible to getting an infestation, in the even you travel alot or work in environments that have problems.

Bedbug mattress and box spring covers help during an infestation because it allows the technician to treat the appropriate areas, and then seal the box spring and mattress from additional outside infestations and keeps any bugs left behind to perish.

To sum it all up, the investment in a product like protect-a-bed or other hyper allergenic mattress and box spring cover is well worth it.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Bedbugs and laundry

When faced with a bedbug problem, one thing that your exterminator should require you to do is your laundry. If he doesn't, find a new exterminator. When I say laundry I mean all the laundry. You have to clear out your closets and if the cloths require dry cleaning, then get them dry cleaned. You may be able to get away with simply running the cloths through the dryer for an hour at high heat. This will kill all stages of the bed bug. The same goes for shoes and sneakers. When the pest control person goes into your room it should be clear of any fabric. Bedding, pillows, drapes, curtails, all need the same treatment. This needs to be done for all bedrooms. When the cloths are done in the dryer them reload them in a brand new trash bag and seal tightly shut with tape. This should also be done for any coats or clothing in down stairs closets. Don't forget throw pillows from the sofa and stuffed animals. Sound like a gigantic project. Well it is. If you want to get rid of the bedbugs properly then you have to launder all these items. It will take time, effort, and coordination with the pest control person.

Bedbugs and traveling

Bedbugs can be picked up anywhere and unfortunately you are most susceptible during travel. Millions of bags go through the baggage system in an airport and hundreds of bags are put into the airplane luggage storage, not to mention the carry on area. This cycle happens daily if not several times a day for that airplane. All it takes is one of those bags to have bedbugs and the possibility of contamination is high. The same goes for trains and buses. You can also pick up bedbugs while simply sitting in a airplane, bus, or train seat after a person with bedbugs have sat there and get them. Same is true for cruises. All those bags are taken and stored and then placed outside your door. Who knows where those bags have been. The unfortunate truth is bedbugs are here to stay and it may turn into a situation where it is not a matter of "if" but a matter of "when" someone gets infested with bedbugs. You can limited your chances by educating yourself about bedbugs, know what and where to look for them after you have checked into a hotel or cruise. How about your bags you ask, well I'm afraid you are left to chance in this area. There are items for sale at online pest control stores that you can spray your bag with, but you have to ask yourself if you want to have your clothing laying in with chemicals. You can buy these products, one of them is a luggage spray made by J. T. Eaton, and spray the outside I suppose. Here's an idea, buy a large enough zip lock bag and place your luggage in this. What we really need is the bed bug silver bullet. Maybe one day we will find it.