Bed Bugs Infestation, Bed Bugs Info, Kill Bed Bugs, Bed Bug Pictures, Bed Bug Treatment

Is It A Bed Bug Or A Carpet Beetle? I Can’t Tell! Part I Of II

Many New Jersey homeowners have been calling pest control specialists for help because they are afraid that the dreaded bed bug has made their way into their home.  Once pest control has arrived on the scene, homeowners have been surprised to find out that their infestation is not that of the blood sucking bed bugs, but instead they are being invaded by another household pest…the carpet beetle.  It’s not surprising that people confuse carpet beetles with bed bugs because to the untrained eye, they can look somewhat similar in their appearance.

Bed bugs are small, brownish colored insects that are oval shaped.  Adult bed bugs are about 3/16 of an inch when full grown.  The nymphs (baby bed bugs) resemble the adults, but are much smaller and lighter in color.  These bugs have flattened bodies until they receive a blood meal at which time they plumb up and become reddish brown.  Bed bugs do not fly and have six legs.

There are several different types of carpet beetles that vary in size and color to keep an eye out for, so it’s no wonder that people get confused when they see some of these creatures lurking around their house.  All adult carpet beetles can fly, and like the bed bug, they also have six legs.  The adult black carpet beetle is oval and can grow up to 3/16 of an inch.  The adult varied carpet beetle is gray, white, and brown with yellow scales with black crossbands.  The adult common carpet beetle can grow to about 1/8 of an inch.  It is gray to black in color and is almost round in shape.  Adult furniture carpet beetles can grow to 1/8 of an inch long.  They are almost round, and are whitish checkered with black spots, with yellowish orange scales.

Carpet beetles do not need blood in order to survive; but they are considered a damaging household pest that needs eradication regardless.  Carpet beetles are not discriminate feeders and will eat plant and animal substances.  When found outside, carpet beetles are known to eat flower pollen from dogwood, crepe myrtle, spirea, daisies, wild asters and buckwheat with white or cream-colored flowers.

Please check back on Friday for the conclusion.

Sweeping Bed Bugs Under The Carpet Won’t Get Rid Of Them Part II Of II

Continuing From Friday…

Commissioner Thompson went on to say “I’ve been dealing with bed bugs all my life,” and then said. “All you have to do is clean your bedroom and clean your house.”  WOW!  Did he actually admit that HE has had bed bugs or was his answer just his opinion on how to deal with the creepy crawlers?

Commissioner Stanbery was right in her thoughts that a tracking system could help protect both landlords and potential tenants.  It’s in everyone’s best interest to make sure that a rental property is free of bed bugs prior to occupancy…no matter what state you live in!  Tenants would feel safer about where they were moving and landlords would be protected from potential bed bug related lawsuits.

It would be great to see a similar type of system put in place for hotels and motels as well.  That is unlikely to happen because when an infestation occurs, the stigma of having an infestation can, and usually does, cause a huge black eye for the hotel/motel in question.  The hospitality industry typically treats their bed bug infestations very quietly using a variety of treatment options.  Clearly, some do a far better job at treatment than others do.

The simple fact is that bed bugs are everyone’s problem.  Bed bugs are an equal opportunity offender.  They do not care your age, race, size, or socioeconomic status.  They only want to suck your blood…and they are relentless.  Regardless of where we live, if our government officials (county, state, and federal) continue to sweep the problem under the carpet, as they have been doing thus far, the problem will continue to worsen.  What will it take for people to realize that bed bugs will not go away until serious changes occur in the United States?

Bed bugs are a difficult pest to eradicate on your own.  If you are suffering from a bed bug infestation problem in New York or New Jersey, it is wise to contact a pest control specialist that is considered an expert in bed bug removal.

Sweeping Bed Bugs Under The Carpet Won’t Get Rid Of Them Part I Of II

It’s no secret that bed bug infestations are occurring at lightning fast speed throughout New York.  There are now cases reported in every single state and it’s not surprising that some government officials are trying to nip the bed bug problem in the proverbial bud before it gets out of hand.

There was a recent meeting of the Bradley County Commission in Tennessee where one particular Commissioner brought a proposal to the table to curtail their rising bed bug problem.  Commissioner Lisa Stanbery stated that she had been contacted by a local non-profit organization which had informed her about the growing problem with bed bugs in their area.  She said that three families had been affected by bed bug infestations from their rental properties. 

Commissioner Stanbery asked if the Commissioners could put a tracking system in place so that the citizens of their county could obtain information about a rental property’s experience with bed bugs.  She was hoping that the tracking system could help protect citizens who were moving into new apartments, so that they would not have to deal with the blood sucking parasites.  Sounds good; and familiar too!

Although not mentioned, her proposal is not unlike the current legislation that is awaiting the sign of approval, or veto, from New York’s Governor David Paterson.  Since Governor Paterson recently vetoed the Mattress Sanitation legislation, it will be interesting to see what his decision is regarding this very important legislation.

Here’s the funny part of the story…

One of the other Commissioners was not too keen on the idea of the county being involved with bed bugs.  According to the Chattanoogan.com article, Commissioner Howard Thompson said “I think we ought to let everybody take care of their own mess,” and “all that is is nastiness.”

Please check back on Monday for the conclusion.

Bed Bugs Win With The Power Of The Pen!

Marking the 6,735 Veto of 2010, with one swift spin of an ink pen, NY A 7691 hit the skids!

Jose Peralta (D-NY) has made a name for himself as a bed bug superhero crime fighter…or would been if the New York Governor would have signed his pending legislation into law.  On March 29, 2010, Peralta’s legislation could have amended the General Business Law to read:

“relates to articles of bedding; prohibits the transportation, storage or sale of used bedding with new bedding unless the used bedding has been sanitized using a specified method intended to kill bedbugs, molds, and other germs or contaminants; provides for annual inspection of places where articles of bedding are made.”

The legislation passed through the Senate on Jun 15, 2010 and was sent for approval to the Assembly.  The legislation passed the Assembly on June 15, 2010 as well.  Good news…but only briefly.

On July 19, 2010, Governor David Paterson received the pending legislation, while New Yorkers everywhere continued to scratch from their bed bug infestations.  The momentous day that everyone was waiting for arrived on July 30, 2010…a decision had been made.  Would New Yorkers new mattresses be saved from the blood sucking parasites or would they still be allowed to be infested?  Sorry New Yorkers, Governor Paterson decided to veto this important bill that would help end the spread of bed bugs to new mattresses!  It has been reported that the new bill would cost the state of New York an additional $600,000 and would require that eight employees be hired.  Game over.

There are two more bed bug related legislations pending on the Governors table.  One would require New York City schools to notify parents of bed bug infestations.  The other would require New York City landlords to inform potential tenants if they have had bed bug infestation problems within the past year. Both of these sound like smart ones too!

Time will tell if the powers that be in New York will find them worthy enough of implementation. Until then, if bed bugs are making you itch in Secaucus, New Jersey, the Greater New York City Metro and Connecticut Regions, contact Stern Environmental Group for expert bed bug removal services!

Raccoons Are A Menacing And Dangerous Pest

Raccoons are adorable when you see them frolicking together out in the backyard or woods.  Their cute little striped face, big brown eyes, pointy whiskers, and shiny nose may make you think that they are as friendly as your neighbors golden retriever.  Get close to them or have them pay a visit to the interior of your home, and you will see that they are not quite as cuddly as you imagined.

People in Park Slope in Brooklyn, New York are encountering raccoons in increasing numbers this summertime season. Just this past week, two raccoons were seen trying to obtain entry into a third story apartment of one residence.  They clawed the screen, scratched the glass, and even tried to open the window to get inside.  The resident, who was on the inside bashing on the window, could not even scare the creatures away.  Earlier the same month, the same resident awoke to his kitchen being ransacked by a raccoon.  Another Park Slope resident reports that she had four raccoons running amuck in her dining room and kitchen.

Raccoons are extremely strong and resourceful critters to deal with.  Once they have entered your home and decided it is a good place to nest, they are difficult and dangerous to evict.  Even though they can weigh as much as 35 pounds, these animals can squeeze their large bodies into spaces as small as four inches.  Raccoons are a constant problem for homeowners because of the damage that they cause to structures, urine and feces that they leave behind, and electrical wires that they chew.  They can cause damage to gardens, lawns, crops and livestock as well.  Raccoons are known carriers of many diseases that are extremely dangerous to humans and domestic animals.  Contracting rabies from raccoons is always a concern; but you also need to be concerned about distemper, roundworms, fleas, mites, and ticks when raccoons are present.

Raccoons can be one of the most challenging wild animals to remove. If you have raccoons in your home, contact Stern Environmental Group.  We offer expert Raccoon Control and Removal Services to Secaucus, New Jersey, the Greater New York City Metro and Connecticut areas.

What’s Up With The Rats In New York City? Part II Of II

In continuation from Wednesday…

Dr. Robert M. Corrigan, a rodentologist, who is well versed in all aspects of rats, led the interesting rat study.  He pointed out that rat poison is currently only being used on the train tracks to kill the rodents.  Once a train travels through the tracks, the poison is scattered.  Additionally, the refuse room which houses the garbage before it is transported out of the subway; is not subject to rat traps or poison.  This room, filled with black bags of trash, is a buffet for rats every day of the week!  Dr. Corrigan suggested that the rooms be guarded so that the rats could not reach their feast.

According to the New York Times, Dr. Corrigan told health officials that rats in New York City were a problem not only in subways, but other public places as well, especially parks.  “Virtually all of New York,” he said, “is vulnerable to this uncanny mammal.”

Wild rats are creatures that should be feared and avoided.  Although they are unlikely to bite you unless they are cornered, rats have the potential of spreading dangerous diseases to humans.  In the Middle Ages, rats (actually the fleas that were on the rats) were the cause of the spread of Bubonic Plague (the Black Death).  That plague wiped out a third of the European population during that time period. Some rat lovers of today say that the rats that are scurrying about New York City could not/would not cause another plague in today’s world, but how can anyone be so sure.  America could barely handle the H1N1 health crisis this past year, I can’t imagine how taxing a plague would be to our health system!  Rats are also known carriers of Leptospirosis.  This dangerous disease can be transmitted to domestic animals and humans alike.

If you need help ridding your business of rats in New York City or New Jersey, contact a licensed pest control specialist who is trained in expert rat removal services.

What’s Up With The Rats In New York City? Part I Of II

The rat infestation problem in New York City is no secret among city residents.  They can be found roaming the streets during the night and foraging through bags and cans of trash in hunt for a tasty treat.  Some estimate New York City rats to outnumber human folks 20 to 1, while others discount those numbers as being false.  Whatever you believe, just take a walk through the streets of New York, and there’s no doubt that rats are alive and well in the city!

Rats continue to be photographed in many areas of the New York City subway system.  They forage and feast on the garbage that others leave behind.  They emerge from the cracks within the walls, popping their ugly heads through broken concrete and tiles.  Rats have been found on the subway tracks and scampering to and fro throughout the platform waiting areas. One brave rat was even photographed hanging from the handrail inside of a populated moving subway!  That’s certainly not the travel companion you would hope for while traveling on the tube under New York City!  Although a little leery of humans, they don’t typically run and hide when they encounter us.  Rats use to be a nighttime forager, but reports are that these obnoxious creatures have now taken to the New York City subways even during peak rush hour periods.

A two year study of the rats in the New York City subway system was completed by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.  It was found that rats do not live in the subway tunnels as previously believed; instead they prefer to set up house within the walls.  It was also found that the rats are enjoying the food and drink debris that is left behind by subway riders.  The litter and crumbs are a constant invitation for rats to come to dinner.

Please check back on Friday for the conclusion.

What’s In Store For New York City Bed Bugs?

The big news of the week in bed bug land is that New York City has officially declared war on the blood sucking parasites that are noshing away at residents, travelers, shoppers, and anyone else who happens to step foot in the wrong place at the wrong time in the city.

After months of anticipation, and endless hours of strategic planning, the new counterattack was revealed on the steps of City Hall last Wednesday.

Last year, the Bed Bug Advisory Board was formed by Mayor Bloomberg.  The Board’s purpose was to study the health concerns and make recommendations to the mayor and city council on the prevention and treatment of bed bug infestations in the city.  The Bed Bug Advisory Board was to deliver their report within nine months; and with eager anticipation, the 39 page report has finally arrived!

So here’s what New York City bed bugs have to look forward to in the near future….

• There will now be a team to coordinate bed bug control efforts in the city.

• A “Bed Bug Academy for building managers.

• An online portal of bed bug facts checked by the city.

• Guidelines/information for disposing of infested furniture and clothing, and educating the public about purchasing secondhand items.

• New York City Housing Court will give higher priority to cases that involve bed bugs.

The cost of implementing the program is said to be $500,000, which will be re-appropriated from the Department of Health’s budget.  According to the New York Times, Gil Bloom, one of the Board members, said “If fully implemented, the recommendations could reverse the current increase in bed bug activity and actually improve our situation.”  All of these bed bug programs are great, but the big question is…will they work?  Time will tell of course and everyone in the US is waiting to see the outcome of the New York bed bug problem!

If you are suffering from a bed bug infestation in New York City or New Jersey, don’t wait until these new programs are implemented before asking for help.  Call a bed bug expert for help today.

Vacation Follies: Hey, There’s A Dog In My Room! Part II Of II

Continuing from Wednesday…

It should be noted that I was quite thorough in my inspection of my first hotel room.  I removed and inspected each of the dresser and nightstand drawers, inspected the curtains, floorboards, clock, telephone, picture frames, headboard and of course the bed and bedding.  The bed bug infestation that I found was localized at the foot of the bed, in the seam of the mattress, and yet the bed bug sniffing dog found several hot spots in the room that I completely missed.  It is estimated that humans are about 30% accurate on their visual inspections for bed bugs, and bed bug sniffing dogs are about 98% accurate.

Clearly, this particular hotel considers a bed bug infestation to be a serious matter when it is discovered at their establishment.  Once there was confirmation from pest control that there was indeed a bed bug infestation in my first room, they jumped into action to remedy the situation.  Mind you, I did bring management ACTUAL bed bugs, in various stages of their development; but I do appreciate their attention to detail in this matter regardless.

Their first step in treating their bed bug problem was to immediately move the guests that were staying in the hotel room on either side of the infested room.  Once those rooms were in quarantined off, pest control and the bed bug sniffing dog were called in.  My initial room was chemically treated as well as the adjoining rooms.  The real surprise came when I was informed that it was hotel policy to completely strip the room of its contents when there is a bed bug infestation.  Under the cover of night, every single removable item (including the carpet) in that room was wrapped in plastic and removed.  I was assured by the hotel staff that everything in the room would NOT be sent out for fumigation, but instead would be incinerated!  WOW!

If you have a bed bug infestation, contact Stern Environmental Group for the most up-to-date bed bug products and services, including the always reliable bed bug sniffing dog services.

Stay tuned for more vacation follies.  Blood sucking bed bugs are alive and feasting on folks in Philadelphia.  I was lucky; many of my friends were not!

Vacation Follies: Hey, There’s A Dog In My Room! Part I Of II

In previous entries of my vacation follies, I’ve been sharing of my bed bug filled adventures in Philadelphia, PA.  I have purposely chosen to not reveal the 5 star hotel in question because I do believe that the actions that they took regarding the bed bug infestation that I encountered were exemplary!  If all hotels handled their bed bug infestations the same way, there would definitely be a decline in bed bug reports and lawsuits against hotels.

Continuing on with my adventure…

Upon leaving the hotel to head over to the convention center, I was assured by the hotels general manager that their pest control company was called and that they were on their way to investigate and treat my previous bed bug infested hotel room.  I reminded her that I wanted my new room sprayed for bed bugs just in case the buggers decided to make a run for it to my new local.

Several hours later I returned back to my lovely suite that overlooked the river, with fabulous views of the city, to find something interesting in my room.  Pest control was there, which made we quite happy.  In addition, he brought along a friend…a bed bug sniffing dog!  Knowing that bed bug sniffing dogs are one of the best tools that can be used when fighting bed bugs, I was quite pleased to see this amazing dog in action up close and personal!  The dog was able to inspect the entire suite in about five minutes.   I breathed a sigh of relief when they told me that the bed bug sniffing dog did not have a positive hit at any location in my new room.  I inquired about my previous room and found that the dog had indeed found several positive hits in that room.

Please check back on Friday for the part 2.

Groundhog Populations Continue To Rise

Groundhogs are known by several different names.  They are also called woodchucks or whistle pigs, and are considered endangered and are a protected species in Wisconsin.  Oddly enough, they seem to be multiplying in New York, New Jersey and just about every other area across the United States.

Groundhogs are one of the greatest challenges for homeowners this time of year, especially if you are trying to grow a vegetable garden.  Gardeners become quite annoyed because groundhogs can easily eat up to two pounds of vegetation each day.  They too enjoy the bountiful treats of nature as they feast on gardens and landscaping.  It only takes one night for one groundhog to mow down an average size backyard garden.  People  often try using electric fences, regular fences, bricks, hair, urine, and rotten egg juice to keep groundhog away; but these pesky creatures still seem to find their way into gardens.  Once a groundhog has moved on to your property, it is nearly impossible to get rid of them without the help from a pest control specialist.

Because of their constant burrowing and excavating skills, groundhogs have been known to cause considerable damage to foundations and they can even undermine the structure of swimming pools or other structures.  Although not always the case, groundhogs can be the carrier of the rabies virus as well as the hepatitis virus.

If you have groundhogs making a mess of your landscaping in New York or New Jersey, contact Stern Environmental Group today.  We provide humane expert groundhog removal service to our customers in Secaucus, New Jersey, the Greater New York City Metro and Connecticut Regions.  Don’t let groundhogs damage your expensive landscaping.  Take advantage of our 24 hour emergency groundhog removal services today.

Bed Bug Warfare…What A Nightmare!

With all of the bed bug infestations blanketing newspapers and the internet this past month, it’s a pretty hot topic among folks.  I was just having a conversation with my neighbor about bed bugs and I told her that bed bugs could wreak havoc if they landed in the wrong hands and were purposely set loose in a public establishment.  She thought I was a bit off my rocker.  It’s bad enough that we all need to look for them in hotels and motels, and wonder if they are in the airline seat, rental car, train, bus, taxi, or movie theaters that we are sitting in.  We are not even safe from these blood suckers if we become ill and require a trip to the hospital or are visiting someone there, because bed bugs can be ready to pounce.

Then I read an article last night about the plastic baggie of live bed bugs there were found a few weeks ago at a Des Moines city building. The open baggie was found by custodians but not before the prickly pests had time to escape and run for cover in the Des Moines Armory which houses many public offices.  It is only now that they are finding out how bad the infestation is.

Officials believe that the bed bugs were left by someone who was seeking revenge against the city for some unknown reason.  Really, why else would a bag filled with live bed bugs be left in a building?

Forget chemical warfare, this is bed bug warfare!  The building has undergone fumigation services three times, but according to the bed bug sniffing dog and the employees itchy bites, the bed bugs refuse to die.  So far, the City of Des Moines has forked out $1,200 for fumigation costs.  Heat treatment for the building will cost the city an additional $5,000.  Without a doubt, employees have taken the blood suckers home with them as well.  Who assumes the cost for those bed bug infestations?  What a nightmare!

For protection, maybe I will just train my own dog to be a bed bug sniffing dog!

Bed Bugs, Don’t Play The Blame Game!

Insight Pharmaceuticals recently released a list of what they believe to be the top 10 cities that are infested with bed bugs in North America.  Starting from the top infested city: Columbus, Ohio; New York (yay, NYC, at the number 2 spot!); Toronto, Canada; Bloomington, Indiana; Manchester, New Hampshire; San Francisco, California; Durham, North Carolina; Vancouver, Canada; Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado.

With the recent news reports of major retailers and an advertisement agency in New York City being plagued by bed bugs, it was only a matter of time before the finger pointing game began.  As I suspected, customers are now being blamed for bringing the infestations into the retail establishments.

The simple fact is that it may never be known where the bed bugs originated from.  Did an employee inadvertently transport them to work?  Perhaps a customer who had a bed bug infested home returned items to a store and spread their infestation problem.  Because bed bugs are hitchhikers, bed bugs could have entered any or all of the stores in question, on a shopper or shoppers at any point in time.  Many clothing items are transported from third world countries that are notorious for having bed bugs.  Since bed bugs can go for up to a year without a blood meal, and are excellent hitchhikers, bed bugs can easily enter the retail supply chain via other countries.

New York City customers are being advised to carefully inspect any clothing they buy for bed bugs and their translucent looking eggs.  Customers are also advised to dry all of the clothing they purchase on high heat as soon as they arrive home.  That’s good advice for anyone in the United States really.

At the moment, bed bugs are just considered a nuisance pest.  But with evolution being what it is, perhaps they will evolve into something more in the future.  The general public must be diligent and educate themselves in order to try to avoid a bed bug infestation.  Bed bugs are not a do-it-yourself type of pest as they are hard to eradicate.  If you think you have encountered bed bugs or have an infestation, it is wise to contact a licensed pest control specialist who can provide expert bed bug eradication services.

Bed Bugs Apparently Like To Go Shopping!

If you live in New York or New Jersey, you have likely heard about the unfortunate bed bug infestation problems that have been popping up in upscale retail establishments in Manhattan lately. Abercrombie & Fitch Co closed a store in the South Street Seaport and on Fifth Avenue because of bed bug infestations.  Preppy teen clothing store Hollister was hit and had to shut their doors due to an infestation.  Just this past week, Victoria’s Secret discovered that they too had bed bugs at one of their New York City locations.

Each of the stores treated their respected bed bug infestations in different ways; but it makes you wonder if it is safe to shop at any store because of the potential of bringing bed bugs home.  As a great customer service gesture, Hollister offered bed bug sniffing dog services to their customers.  Most people checked out fine, but some Hollister customers did indeed test positive for bed bug infestations.

Some pest control experts have gone on the record and said that the stores in question have reopened too quickly and that customers are still at risk of bringing home the creepy blood suckers.  Bed bugs are difficult to eradicate in a building, and the infestation could still be looming, despite the fact that the merchandise in question was removed and gas fumigation was used on the clothing.  It should be noted that Victoria’s Secret decided to destroy all of their affected merchandise rather than put it through the fumigation process.

People used to just be concerned about bed bugs when they travel to hotels and motels because bed bugs are known to be problematic occurrences.  These recent retail bed bug incidents make you worried to shop, as it brings to light the fact that bed bugs could be anywhere at any moment in time.  If you think you have encountered bed bugs in New York or New Jersey, contact a bed bug expert today!

Vacation Follies: Are You Kidding Me, MY Hotel Room Has Bed Bugs! Part III Of III

In continuation from Wednesday…

Horrified, the hotel’s executive manager asked if I was there to investigate the hotel for a story.  I told no, that in fact I was in town for the singing convention.  I did tell her that I found something terrible in my hotel room that needed addressed immediately.  I then opened up the folded cardboard that I was carrying and explained to her that they were Cimex Lectularius, otherwise known as bed bugs!  I told her that I would require a new room; far away from the room I had been assigned.  I also asked if my new room could be sprayed for bed bugs since I knew that that hotel had an infestation problem.  The executive manager quickly agreed to my request and assigned me a fabulous suite far away from the bed bug nightmare in room 2112…hopefully!

I was assured that pest control would be called immediately and that the room, along with the rooms on either side of 2112, would be in quarantine while the “situation” was being handled. I did ask the hotel if they ever used a bed bug sniffing dog at their establishment.  I explained how dogs are far more accurate at finding infestations than humans are.  She said that their pest control company employs a beagle.

I arrived at my new suite and spent the next hour inspecting for bed bugs.  This room appeared to be in the clear, but as long as pest control was paying a visit, I would sleep better knowing that my new room was treated for bed bugs too!

Upon inspecting my new room, I did find something under the head board that I was not anticipating seeing…a mouse trap!  When I left the hotel later that day to head over to the convention, I asked the executive manager if they were having a mice infestation problem.  She looked terrified as she asked if my new room had a mouse in it.  I then asked if it was customary to leave mice traps in the guest rooms.  She of course said “no” and hung her head in disgust…first bed bugs and now a mouse trap!  When I arrived back at my suite, the mouse trap was removed.  Left on the granite bar was a huge gift bag filled with scrumptious chocolates, candy, drinks, delicious snacks, and a note of apology for the “incident in room 2112”.

Stay tuned for more bed bug adventures in Philadelphia! There’s more than just one hotel in Philadelphia with bed bugs!

Vacation Follies: Are You Kidding Me, MY Hotel Room Has Bed Bugs! Part II Of III

Continuing from Monday…

I took note of the fact that the hotel did not use a Climbup Insect Interceptor or a Mattress Encasement, both of which could help protect customers from bed bugs.

It was then time to tackle the bed.  It was a beautiful pillow top bed, covered in a white goose down comforter and white sheets.  I flipped all of the bedding to the center of the bed and began my inspection.  I quickly realized that I was in trouble…there was a suspicious pile of black pepper like debris sandwiched in between the pillow top layers near the foot of the bed.

Despite what I saw, and all that I know about bed bugs, I was in denial about the fact that I was likely looking at a pile of bed bug excrement.  I took a piece of cardboard advertisement from the room and folded it up like a box and began to gather the pieces of my find with tweezers.  Still in denial, I tried to convince myself that what I was picking up was some sort of crumbs…only how could they have gotten under the sheet in between the pillow top?  Logic prevailed and I continued my search in hopes of finding an actual bed bug to confront the hotel management with.  It did not take long for me to unearth several bed bugs, in several different stages of their life cycle.  The bugs clearly had a face and legs.  One was dead, several were alive.  I folded up my evidence, gathered my belongings, and quickly exited the once pristine room.

On the way to the lobby a nice lady in a suit entered the elevator.  She asked me if I was leaving the hotel.  I said “no, I just arrived”.  Just then the doors opened and more people boarded the elevator.  She looked at me with a confused look and asked “Is there a problem with your room?” I told her “Yes, but you might want to speak to me in private.”  We silently rode to the bottom and she asked if I could follow her to a private location.  It was then that I told her that I worked in the pest control industry.  I also told her that I am a writer.

Please check back on Friday for the conclusion.

Vacation Follies: Are You Kidding Me, MY Hotel Room Has Bed Bugs! Part I Of III

Despite being in the pest control industry and knowing all that I know about bed bugs; I have never actually encountered bed bugs in any of my traveling endeavors.  I must admit though, that I am extremely cautious and somewhat paranoid about bringing these blood sucking parasites home with me.  To continue on with my bed bug vacation adventure in the great city of Philadelphia…

Upon checking into my 5 star hotel room, I asked the reservation staff member point blank “Do you have bed bugs at this hotel?”  She looked me square in the eye and stated a resounding “No, we do not!”  Concierge was soon called to pick up my luggage and we headed up to what would be my new home for the next week.  Upon arriving in the room, the concierge began to take my luggage off his cart and place it on the luggage rack.  I quickly asked him to put it in the bathtub instead.  He of course thought I was completely nuts!

Here’s a travel tip for you…bed bugs have a difficult time walking on slick surfaces, so it is highly unlikely that they will be found in the bathtub.  When you arrive in your hotel room, put your luggage in the bathtub while you inspect the entire room for bed bugs!

After the concierge man left, I began my task of tearing apart the room looking for bed bugs.  I first removed all of the dresser drawers and looked carefully at the undersides and in the cracks for bed bugs, their skins, blood stains, or any excrement.  All clear!  I used my flashlight to check the entire perimeter of the room’s baseboards and wallpaper looking for the same tale-tell evidence.  All clear!  I banged on the phone, clock/Ipod docking station several times to see if bed bugs would drop out.  All clear!  I checked the curtains, luggage rack, and closet.  All clear!

Please check back on Wednesday.

Vacation Follies: Sometimes You Need To Educate The Reservation Staff About Bed Bugs Part II Of II

In continuation from Wednesday…

Everything was going along quite nicely in my conversation with the staff member, so I decided to ask the dreaded question…”Do you have a bed bug infestation problem at your hotel?”  I really did not expect her to say, “well, yes Mrs. ‘C’ we do have bed bugs, come on down!”  As always, I was curious to see what her reaction to my question would be.  As is usually the case, she did not disappoint!  This kind woman spent five minutes telling me that they don’t have bed bugs because they are a very clean establishment and that they change their sheets and towels every day.  She said that they pride themselves on keeping the room dust free and clean the windows…and other nonsense that had nothing to do with a bed bug infestation.  So after she rambled on a bit, I politely told her that having bed bugs had nothing to do with being cleanly.  I told her that bed bugs were a blood sucking parasite that could be found in flea bag motels and 5 star hotels.  I then asked her if the cleaning staff was trained to look for bed bugs each time they cleaned the guest rooms.  After a long pause, she said “Mrs. C”, why exactly do they call them bed bugs; do they live in the bed?”  It was then that I knew I was in trouble.

I then spent the next 15 minutes educating the reservation staff member about bed bugs.  She was very thankful for the information that I gave her once I was done.  The last thing she asked me was “is it wrong for me to be itching right now?”  I responded by telling her “nope, bed bugs do that to a person!”  So beware; if you are traveling, your hotel staff might not even know what bed bugs are.  It’s up to you to ask the right questions and look for bed bugs yourself because you cannot be guaranteed that the staff has received the education they should have been given.

Stay tuned for more Vacation Follies.  Bed bugs are in Philadelphia, not just New York City!  It was a bed bug filled adventure!

Vacation Follies: Sometimes You Need To Educate The Reservation Staff About Bed Bugs Part I Of II

Being in the pest control industry I just assumed that hotels, especially those in major cities with major tourist attractions, would keep their employees abreast about bed bug infestation issues.  What I have discovered is completely the opposite is true.  Not all hotels are informing their staff members of what bed bugs are, what theylook like, where they can be found in a guest rooms, or how they are transmitted from person to person.  This is quite disappointing as bed bug infestation numbers continue to climb in every city across the United States.

I recently made the decision to make a trip out of state to attend a singing convention.  Each year the contest is held in a different city, most of the time in the United States, but occasionally in Canada.  This year’s  destination was the city of brotherly love…Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

It should be noted that this particular convention occurs once a year and 10,000+ wonderful folks traveled from all parts of the world to attend the fantastic contest sessions and reacquaint themselves with friends near and far.  Because I decided to attend the convention late in the game, I was not able to go through the normal channels of dealing with the Convention Bureau and instead dealt with one of the convention hotels directly.  After checking “The Bed Bug Registry” to see which hotels had any reported bed bug infestation problems, I made contact with one particular hotel that appeared to be in the clear.

Prior to contacting the hotel, I knew that the hotel was a nationwide 5 star hotel chain as I had stayed at another site previously.  I contacted the hotel and was greeted by a kind staff member who graciously answered all of my questions and was even kind enough to grant me the convention rate, which was a considerable savings in comparison to their normal advertised rate.

Please check back on Friday for the conclusion.

Bed Bugs have Invaded the World

Countries all over the world have bed bug infestations. Some of the major reasons are international travel, changes in pest management procedures, immigration and pesticide resistance.

A large number of bed bug infestations have been reported to government officials in New York City but the actual number of infestations is much higher since a lot of New York City residents don’t file a complaint with the government.

Once the little critters find a home in an apartment unit they can easily invade neighboring units. A lot of people have bed bugs but they don’t realize it because they don’t get a skin reaction to the bites. This can be a big problem in apartment buildings since people that don’t get a skin reaction don’t complain about bed bugs to the apartment manager which gives ample time for the bed bugs to invade other units. Also some people believe they have mosquito bites when they are actually bed bug bites.

Bed bug monitors are an important part of a comprehensive bed bug prevention plan.

Bed Bugs Invading the Commercial Market

A pest extermination company located in Manhattan claimed that the commercial market for bed bug treatments is growing three times faster than the residential market. Yes indeed, bed bugs are invading hotels, banks, hospitals, offices and perhaps even haberdashery shops at a fast pace. Restaurants are also having bed bug infestations. Retail shops are also having problems with the odious insects. They seem to be everywhere.

What can people do in their battle against the horrible bed bugs? Well, don’t put used furniture in your residence, especially the furniture dumped along roads. People dump the furniture not because they find it boring but often because it is infested with bed bugs.

Bed bug monitors are very effective at providing early detection that the little critters have invaded your residence. If you think you have a bed bug infestation hire the services of a bed bug pest control company that provides the services of highly trained bed bud detection dogs. They are superior to humans at finding bed bugs.

Invisible Itches: What is Causing it?

Often people living in New York City and New Jersey and other locations blame bed bugs or other insects when they get itchy. However, there are other potential causes of itchiness other than insects. Allergies, medications, cosmetics and environmental contaminants can cause reactions similar to insect bites.

People living in New Jersey and New York City and other places need to investigate other sources of itching and not just insects. However, if a woman witnesses a mosquito biting her arm and the specific area of the attack because red and itchy perhaps and extensive investigation of her cosmetics can be avoided.

The publication produced by Michael F. Potter, Professor of Entomology at the University of Kentucky, titled Invisible Itches: Insect and Non-Insect Causes is a an excellent comprehensive text on the subject of invisible itching. The text includes useful information on topics including sources of irritation, obscure biting arthropods, environmental factors, household products, health-related conditions and finding a solution.

By the way, if you want to avoid itching sensations due to the odious bed bugs, consider placing bed bug monitors in your residence.

Groundhogs Are Cute, But Quite A Nuisance!

Groundhogs are adorably cute when you look at them from your kitchen window.  The trouble comes when they decide to set up their humble abode on your property.  Groundhogs spend their mornings and evenings feasting on almost two pounds of delicious vegetation each day.  Nice landscaping will not stand a chance against a groundhog invasion.  In a short while, they can nibble your plants to the ground.  Groundhogs are also carriers of rabies in New York, New Jersey and other parts of the US, so you need to be careful not to approach them.

Just recently, one Minnesota county was so fed up with the damage the groundhogs were causing to property owners, and their over population status, that they came up with an interesting and somewhat morbid solution to the problem.  This particular county put a bounty on the groundhogs head…well, actually their feet.  County residents were paid $2 for every two pair of groundhog feet that were turned into a local agency on one particular day.  Hunters spent the entire spring killing off groundhogs and collecting their feet to get ready for the big pay-off from the county.  I can’t even imagine bringing in a big sack of groundhog feet!  Yuck!

It just seems so much easier, and much more humane, to contact a licensed pest control expert who is trained in the removal of groundhogs instead.  If you have groundhogs tearing up your yard or garden and munching away at your landscaping, contact Stern Environmental Group today!  Our trained operators will humanely remove troublesome groundhogs from your property fast!

Exterminators Should Always Be Licensed Part II Of II

Continuing from Thursday…

Not only is Josimar Ferreira accused of operating a Massachusetts extermination company without being certified, but it has been reported that he has also allegedly maintained pest control companies in New Jersey and New York as well.  Both New Jersey and New York have cited Ferreira for operating an unlicensed pesticide business.  It makes you wonder how he is able to obtain toxic pesticides, without being properly licensed.  Clearly there was a breakdown…in three states!

Stern Environmental Group has been providing expert bed bug and pest control services in New Jersey and New York for over ten years.  We pride ourselves on providing our customers with the safest pesticide application available, and offer a wide variety of services and products to meet many different types of needs.  We offer professional services to both residential and business customers alike.  Whether you are looking for help with bed bugs, rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, groundhogs, ants, spiders, cockroaches, or bee control, Stern Environmental Group’s licensed pest control applicators are here to lend a helping hand!

Tips for Preventing Your Garden from Being Destroyed by Groundhogs

Groundhog burrows are typically the focus area regarding groundhog control and not trees! A typical groundhog burrow has a main entrance and one emergency escape entrance. Their burrow is used for hibernating during the winter and for mating and raising their babies. Some groundhogs also known as woodchucks, also have a summer burrow. The summer burrow is typically situated in the middle of a grassy area. The burrow where the critters live in the winter and spring is often located in a nearby brushy or wooded area.

There are several groundhog control solutions residents of New York City and New Jersey and elsewhere can use:

1. Use repellent smells or tastes.
2. Use motion detection devices to scare them away.
3. Live-trapping the critters as they leave their burrows and relocate them to another area.

Also, to reduce the possibility that groundhogs will make a home on your property eliminate tall grass areas, tall weed areas and brush piles since they may not live near your garden If there isn’t good cover.

Quality groundhog removal services are available for New York City and New Jersey.