888-469-2225

PREVENTING A BED BUG INFESTATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT
The Healthy Back
(240) 297-1850
marketingcorp@healthyback.com
www.HealthyBack.com

BELTSVILLE, MD, 6/28/2011 - Infestations of bed bugs are on the rise across the USA, hitching rides on the back of growing global travelers across borders and from cities to less populated areas. The issue has become serious, according to May Berenbaum, head of the entomology department at the University of Illinois, who says bedbugs have been found in all 50 states, as well as Guam, Puerto Rico and American Samoa (1).

 

Bed bug related calls to pest control operators are escalating at a fantastic rate, and their inconspicuousness and ability to survive have allowed them to infiltrate anywhere from bedrooms to movie theatres to buses. Infestations occur regardless of economic status, they not only attack the poor but are common among the middle class and wealthy.

 

While the problem continues to grow, it is becoming increasingly difficult to effectively deal with bed bug infestations. Since these critters have been around for so long, many have evolved a resistance to most pesticides. In addition, there are only a few viable chemical alternatives available, says Michael F. Potter, professor of entomology at the University of Kentucky, and these must be used with caution to avoid problems such as those associated with DDT (2).

 

Since it’s so difficult to combat these bugs, experts recommend taking precautions to avoid being invaded by them in the first place. Joe Graedon, a pharmacologist, and Teresa Graedon, an expert in medical anthropology and nutrition, provide some tips to help protect yourself from having unwanted roommates:

 

  • Since hotels are the number one source of bed bug infestation, do some research before choosing where to stay on your next vacation or business trip. Specifically, check out customer ratings, if the hotel has bed bug problems people will most likely mention it online.
  • When you first arrive at the hotel room, inspect the room for an infestation. Pull back the sheets and look at the mattress and the box springs. Also check in the upholstered furniture and the drawers of the nightstand. If you find any signs of bed bugs (pictured above right) ask the hotel clerk to move you to another room.
  • To avoid transporting bed bugs back home or to another location, never set your luggage on the floor, bed or any upholstered furniture. Put your luggage on the luggage rack but keep it away from the walls. Avoid unpacking into the drawers and always keep your suitcase closed.
  • When leaving the hotel inspect your luggage and clothing. If you believe an item may have been contaminated, seal it in a plastic bag so that it can be cleaned separately. Vacuum your suitcase and wash all of your clothes even if you did not wear them (3).
  • At home, prevention methods can include freeing your room of clutter, sealing any open cracks and crevices, and using non-chemical pesticides in un-sealable cracks. It may also be a smart decision to purchase a new mattress and pillow protector (pictured right) if you are worried about an infestation.
  • If you find that you have an infestation, immediately remove your mattress, vacuum the entire area, and seal any cracks and crevices. Before hiring exterminators, note that fumigation or use of pesticides are often ineffective and costly.

 

While there is no one magic cure for bed bugs, sufficient caution and vigilance on your part is the best way to prevent infestations from happening. Visit HealthyBack.com or a store location for mattress and pillow protectors, along with other products that may aid in stopping an infestation.  It is especially important to take some time to check for bed bugs while you travel, even if it is just to the movie theatre, in order to avoid increasing the spread of these creepy critters.

 

For more information and products that will help prevent and protect yourself from bed bugs, click here.

 


Sources:

(1)    http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/opinion/08berenbaum.html?scp=2&sq=bedbugs&st=Search

(2)    http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/23/bedbugs-itch-itch-scratch-scratch/?scp=3&sq=bedbugs&st=Search

(3)    http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-pharmacy-20100906,0,2016388.column

 

 

###