Bedbugs

Going along with the idea that this year is likely to be a veritable "Insectapalooza," Atlanta based pest control company, Orkin, recently released its top 50 cities for bed bugs. Unlike most other top 50 lists, this one isn't much cause for celebration - unless you're not on it. Unfortunately for local residents, Atlanta is movin' on up!

Sitting at number 21, Atlanta moved up 24 spots from last years rankings. Now much of this may be due in large part to the Hartsfield Jackson Airport, but with so many people moving through the city daily, the number is only likely to climb.

Bedbugs spread easily by hitching rides in luggage and in clothing as people move about and travel. Once they settle in a home, whether your bedroom or a hotel room, they can be very difficult to eradicate.

Since these little vampires only come out at night and feed on blood, their bites are generally noticeable, as are spots or smears on bedding and bedroom furniture. When traveling to areas where bedbugs are a problem, remember to inspect your surroundings before unpacking. Keep you luggage elevated up off of the ground and on a luggage rack. Bag clothing and luggage before returning home, and toss clothes in the washer (use hot water) or in the dryer (on high for 15 minutes) to kill any potential bedbugs.

Other noteables on the list: Cincinnati (1), Chicago (2), Detroit (3), Devner (4), Los Angeles (5), New York (9), Boston (14), Charlotte (33).

Other factors for the increased rankings are increased public awareness (making it easier to indentify the actual problem) and an actual increase in the overall bedbug population in the city. Rankings are based upon the number of treatments Orkin performed from January to December of 2011. For more on the rankings, visit Orkin.

By now, allergy sufferers are feeling the full effects of very mild winter and early year, summerlike conditions. Sneezy, runny noses, itchy and watery eyes are abundant in homes, schools and offices across the U.S. Beyond allergies, there's another issue we alluded to a couple months ago - insects.

February saw repeated record high temperatures across the nation, and with this coming hot on the heels of a warmer, wet winter for much of the country, conditions are ideal for insects to flourish. But aside from ants invading your pantry and carpenter bees feasting on your deck, there are some specific pest problems to look for and hopefully prevent.

Bed Bugs - The warmer temperatures can actually reduce the amount of time it takes for a bed bug egg to hatch, from 1-2 weeks to a little as 6 days. Warmer temps also mean more people are out and about, traveling and potentially picking up these little vampire hitchhikers (bed bugs) and bringing them home.

The best thing you can do is remain vigilant. Bag and store luggage and clothing outside until it can be unpacked and inspected. Wash clothing in hot water to kill any bed bugs that may be hiding in your clothing. While staying at hotels or motels, do a quick inspection of the room prior to unpacking, paying attention to tell-tale signs of bedbugs (small dark spot which can be bedbug droppings and blood spots on the mattress, sheets or furniture). If you find something, report it and look for a new place to stay.

For more information on bed bug prevention.

Ticks and Fleas - Nearly all insects love warm, humid conditions, and ticks and fleas are no exception. Not only do these little blood suckers bite, but ticks can carry a variety of diseases. Before coming in after being outside, check yourself for ticks. Pay particular attention to your pets. They can very easily pick up ticks and fleas. Regular bathing and brushing are two very easy ways to prevent and detect and possible tick or flea problems your pet may have.

For ridding your pet of fleas, try natural flea repellent pet shampoo or for getting rid of fleas in the carpet or furniture, try Dust Mite and Flea Control.

Mosquitoes - Like ticks and bedbugs, mosquitoes also feed on your blood and can transmit disease and viruses. While some areas spray insecticides to mosquito populations down, this can release harmful toxins into the air and water. Around the home, be sure to drain containers or anywhere water can puddle and become the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. And when looking for a suitable repellent, look for cintronella and other citrus extracts in the ingredients. Both are powerful, natural insect repellents.

Chances are good that it's going to be a very buggy summer, but this doesn't mean it has to ruin your time outdoors. With some very basic precautions you can enjoy the sun and outdoors with less worry about ticks, fleas, bed bugs or mosquitoes.

You're probably aware of the resurgence in bedbugs that has plagued apartment buildings, hotels, and homes throughout the country, regardless of social class. Bedbugs are notoriously easy to get, and infestations happen quickly and pervasively, often filling entire apartment complexes from the initial infestation of just one unit.

If you've ever wondered just why infestations happen with such speed and intensity, a study discussed in Fox News article Inbreeding Reason for Bedbug Spread provides some insight.

Entemologists led by Coby Schal and Ed Vargo of North Carolina State University presented a study at the recent American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene meeting in Philadelphia. The scientists studied "the genes of bedbugs infesting three multistory apartment buildings in North Carolina and New Jersey and found very low genetic diversity, meaning most of them were very close relatives."

The upshot of this finding is that it may only take one or two bedbugs hitching a ride on some furniture or a suitcase to begin an entire infestation. Imagine how quickly a mated female can proliferate: Once her eggs hatch, the new bedbugs mate with each other and with their mother – and bedbug populations soar.

Interestingly, this type of inbreeding (without the detrimental genetic effects that occur when some animals inbreed) is also found with cockroaches, another insect that can lead to allergies.

For more on bedbugs and bedbug prevention, see:
Allergy Armor Bed Bug Bedding Packages
Bed Bug Prevention Tips
How to Avoid Bringing Home Bed Bugs

In today's blog, we bring you a summary of tips from RealSimple.com about how to prevent bed bugs:

• "Prevention is key." Bed bug extermination can cost upwards of $1200 and the physical and emotional toll the process exacts can be costly as well. Prevention is not only obviously desirable, but easily attainable. Bedbug-proof bedding, such as mattress covers and box spring covers, laundering your clothes, and the hiring of pest interceptors to advise on bed bug infestation prevention are all recommended. Early detection of a problem also saves money, so becoming educated about how to prevent and spot bed bug problems is an integral component of prevention.



• Inspect your hotel room. As much as even just thinking about the possibility of bed bugs in your hotel room might give you the heebie-jeebies, it's important to take the time to inspect for them when you're staying at a hotel – no matter how nice the establishment. Pull back the sheets to look for signs of bedbugs on the mattress and box spring, and also inspect the headboard.



• Don't bring bed bugs into your home. After a "suspicious" hotel stay, where you may have encountered bedbugs (and for sure if you know you did): unpack your suitcase outside of your living area (like in a garage or outside); put all clothes through a hot wash or dry cycle to kill bedbugs; disinfect your suitcase with no-pest strips.



• Recognize bedbug bites. Bites are often the first sign of a bed bug infestation. But what do bedbug bites look like? They look like mosquito bites but typically come in clusters of at least three. In addition, they tend to affect areas of the body that are exposed while sleeping, like arms, the neck, face, and shoulders.



• Call a professional bedbug exterminator. The key word here is professional. While you're waiting for the professional's visit, do what you can at home, including steam cleaning and vacuuming the mattress. Be sure to empty the vacuum cleaner outside the home. DO NOT use over-the-counter pesticides, which can make the problem worse. Bedbugs that aren't killed by the pesticide sense the chemical and flee, thereby spreading the infestation to other areas of the home.



• Don't panic. Horrifying as it would be to confront a bedbug infestation in your own home, RealSimple.com reports that only about 10 percent of cases are considered severe enough to require disposing of all furniture and cleaning each item of clothing. As a rule of them, the article indicates, it's safe to only consider your case severe if you actually see the bedbugs walking around your home. Yikes.