bugPHD's Profile

Okay, there is a lot of information out there about bed bugs and unfortunately much of it is anecdotal and is not rooted in science or the real world of bed bugs. There is so much incorrect or misleading information out there it is amazing. First, bed bugs have NOTHING to do with sanitary habits of anyone. Some of the finest homes, cleanest apartments, and million dollar hotels have had bed bug infestations; including the Plaza Hotel and the Helmsley Place in NYC have had them. Second, ask any entomologist, Bed Bugs are resistant to DDT; here in the US and everywhere; and there is NO scientific evidence that any “over the counter/mail order natural spray” can do anything more than plain old detergent and water. And don’t try the alcohol & water method; it seems to be the modern version of the old turpentine method which got people ill or simply started fires. Of all the treatments out there that really works is calling a knowledgeable professional who uses manual removal with a vacuum and the use of HEAT or FREEZING works best, (best if a combo of both). Plus if they follow-up a bed bug treatment with precautionary mattress and box spring covers, PLUS an ActiveGUARD mattress and box spring liner is a very good investment; in both keeping any straggling bed bugs out of a bed AND it gives people a well deserved “peace of mind. To those people who call for bringing DDT back….. DDT is NOT effective on Bed Bugs. Not in the US, and not anywhere. So, before screaming for DDT and talking about cleanliness – educate yourselves. People have got to realize that Bed Bugs are going to spread in the US like the flu does, and if you’re not extremely careful, you’re going to get them. But don’t go crazy that bed bugs are going to get you ill; Bed Bugs are NOT A VECTOR of disease and DO NOT spread any diseases. Bottom line bed bugs are simply disgusting and cause more emotional and financial distress than physical. Nobody want them and they’re tough and laborious to get rid of, plus they carry a stigma and social taboo, that as soon as more people get over it, the sooner the rest of us will be able to deal with the problem by educating people to identify bed bugs and call a professional who knows what they are doing. And if you want to go to the government for help, stop asking for DDT ask about – LAMDA CYHALOTHRIN. And checkout new disclosure laws, like the NYS Bed Bug Infestation Disclosure Law passed in August 2010; the more everybody knows the better armed we’ll be knowing what to look for. And if you have a Bed Bug problem call an experienced professional who has dealt with bed bug removal and treatments before. A great one in the greater NY area that I have seen in operation on several occasions is Knockout Pest Control in New York. They use Certified Bed Bug dogs to pinpoint areas of infestation, (which is probably the best way to detect the location of bed bugs AND to make sure that there are no bed bugs), and they use green methods of manual removal, and a combination of freezing and heat treatments, and they suggest pro-active methods that really work BETTER than the pesticides currently available, AND I don’t have to worry about my kids and pets after an experienced pest control tech leaves after using these green methods . You can learn more by visiting Cornell University’s Agricultural and Life Sciences site – http://www.cornell.edu/video/?videoID=836 and check out the hour seminar on “The battle against Bed Bugs”. It’s truly worth the time to watch…..since most of us will run into bed bugs someday; and sooner than you might think.
The Bug PHD