Bed Bug Infestations
Bed Bug Infestations - Wreaking Havoc In Their Own Sweet Way…
Author: Abhishek Agarwal
Unlike the Knicks and Mets that are struggling, the bed bugs have made the headlines in Now York. The number of infestations of bed bugs in New York amounted to 377 in 2004, rising sharply from just 2 in 2002 and sixteen in 2003. Many reports of infestations of bed bugs have come from across America; however, the one from New York seems to be the most disturbing report.
A duplex flat in Park Avenue played host for thousands of bed bugs, and residents of Riverside Drive spent about 20000$ for banishing these insects. The return of bedbugs was blamed on the continuous entry, of immigrants from various countries by pest control groups and entomologists. It has been said that the travelers use less insecticides and travel a lot, thereby picking up the bed bugs from somewhere.
A mattress, right out of the departmental store could have been transported in a truck in which there was a couch with an infestation of bugs. Bedbugs, not being choosy when it is the type of place they dwell in, in question, choose any place which is warm. They can even inhabit a house that is clean and maintained with hygiene unlike rodents and roaches that prefer filthy environments to live in.
After entering a home, they stick to plants and then move to nearby apartments too. Anyone who stays in a lodge has a very big chance of bringing bed bugs home and some of the finest places for lodging have bed bug infestations.
Bed bug infestations have been present in the most unlikely places like private schools, maternity wards in hospitals and even waiting rooms. Shortly after the Second World War, usage of DDT was considered to eradicate bed bugs. However, the chemical effects of it and its harmful nature resulted in the banning of use of DDT.
Who is the enemy?
The Bed bugs are given the name "Cimex lectularius", scientifically. They do not have insects like many other insects and are brown in color. They are more like parasites that are active during the night; however, they are very active when they look for humans. They come out only in the night time, being inactive in the day. Because of this behavior, people notice the infestation only after the population of bed bugs has reached hundreds or thousands.
Bed bugs prefer human blood for food. They also feed on dogs, cats and other pet animals when there is no other option left. They have mouthparts that are developed so that it is easy for them to bite and also aid in sucking blood. They attack only after the person who occupies the bed sleeps soundly.
They eat from times less than one minute to about 10 minutes and can expand to thrice their size after drinking blood. But, humans will not have an easy time in detecting its bite as it is painless and the irritation and itchiness will start only after the bed bug has fed on blood.
Bed bugs don't transfer any disease and the only adverse effect of their bite is a pattern of red wheals, which is identified wrongly as scabies or hives by dermatologists. An adult bed bug can live for about a year and each female bed bug can lay up to 500 eggs.
The Bed bugs prefer inhabiting beds that have lots of tears and holes in them and they even occupy cardboard stacks, sleeping bags, egg foams and waterbeds too as they have crannies that are usually warm.
Brooklyn Street fights
The bed bugs have become resilient and resist the effect of insecticides and pesticides, hence, the ones available in the shops are useless. Usage of cockroach bombs will effectively scatter them and not banish them.
Pest control groups advise all those who have problems with bed bugs to bag after washing all clothes that has ever been in the room in which the infestation is present before extermination.
Beddings and clothes that have heavy infestations must be discarded as nothing of value can be salvaged. Clutter must also be cleaned as spaces that are crammed with belongings will extend the process of inspection and treatment.
Also, frames in the beds and the drawers in the bureau must be taken separately because many chemicals will be used for treating the bed bugs. The processes ought to be repeated if the infestation is very heavy.
In spite of the many ways in which they can be fought, it must be accepted that the bed bugs have returned and will continue inhabiting The Big Apple
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/bed-bug-infestations-wreaking-havoc-in-their-own-sweet-way-753582.html
About the Author
Abhishek has got some great Bed Bugs Elimination Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 69 Pages Ebook, "How To Win Your War Against Bed Bugs!" from his website http://www.Wonder-Homes.com/113/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.
February 4, 2012
7:21 pm
just keep doin what you are doin, it seems like you got them early enough ,
February 4, 2012
7:21 pm
Bed bugs live in the bed. Doesn’t matter what kind of mattress. They can get in your clothes as well. Leaving the lights on at night doesn’t make a difference. If you have bed bugs you have bed bugs. You have to throw out the mattress, call a professional cleaning service and ask to come clean the room (bugs can not be vacuumed. You have to call a cleaning service). You have to take your clothes and get all of them steam pressed. Washer and dryer does not get rid of bed bugs. It is a messy clean up. Get on it before they get worse. And no, you can’t drown them.
February 4, 2012
7:21 pm
You might want to contact the “Koninklijk Horeca Nederland” (Royal Hotel & Restaurant Association The Netherlands)
Koninklijk Horeca Nederland
Pelmolenlaan 10
3447 GW Woerden
Postbus 566
3440 AN Woerden
Telefoon 0348 – 489489
Fax 0348 – 489400
E-mail: info@horeca.org
Good luck!
February 4, 2012
7:21 pm
You can see bed bugs if they are on those non-clothing items. And check any spots that bed bugs can hide. They are very good at hiding. If your bed is not infected yet, i would recommend you using Bed Bug Powder. I was the first victim of the bed bugs, then after a few weeks, my husband was attacked by them. So it is contagious. but since we started using the powder, we have not been bitten. That stuff worked really good. Good luck.
July 21, 2006
1:56 am
How do I report a hotel in Amsterdam with a bed bug infestation?
Stayed at a small hotel in Amsterdam, July 2006. I found bed bugs all over my bed on the second night of my stay. Returned home with red sores from bites all over my body. No compensation from hotel, and manager actually stated that the bugs came in through an open window. I have seen bed bugs before in New York City, these were bigger and in much greater numbers. I am concerned that the hotel was so quick to deny any problem and I can only imagine how many other travelers will run into the same problem. Hotel Rainbow Palace – Amsterdam.
November 17, 2008
1:28 pm
What should I do to get rid of possible bed bug infestation?
A group of friends and I stayed at a hotel; one person got bed bugs. I am currently washing everything I can in hot water, but what should I do with non-clothing (ie. belts, brushes, hair dryer, make-up, etc)?
March 26, 2009
7:49 am
How do can you tell if you have a bed bug infestation?
My boyfriend lives in an apartment building. Over the past few months I notices bumps all over my body and becoming very itchy over night. We did find that the apartment has bed bugs and I may have possibly been taking them home with me unknowingly to my house. I saw a total of 6-7 bedbugs in my house. Does that mean my house id infested?? Also we bought tons of bed bug spray and bombs. I have not got bitten in the last two-three days so does that mean it worked??
July 24, 2009
7:27 am
About bed bug infestations?
Can bed bugs live in foam bed padding? Can they live in bedding, or do they mostly live in carpets? Also does keeping the light on at night prevent them from coming out? Can they be drowned if they are in bedding?
August 19, 2010
1:29 am
How do I get rid of a bed bug infestation?
My fiancee and I live in an apartment and we suddenly got bed bugs about 3 months ago. When we tell management about it they just do this half ass spray job at the walls.