San Francisco Landlords Now Being Asked to Provide Bed Bug Mattress and Box Spring Encasements

New San Francisco Bed Bug Laws

Why Are Bed Bugs Biting in San Fran?

Bed bugs are most prevalent in cities that have large urban area’s and many travelers – like San Francisco! That’s because bedbugs travel on clothing and in luggage & they use humans and other mammals as hosts.

Bed Bug Avoidance Tips for San Francisco Landlords

The San Francisco Department of Public Health has already changed the landlord requirements for control of bed bugs two times in the past 5 years, and they are doing it again – this May! Here are some changes that they are proposing and considering requiring landlords to abide by:

1. Landlords who provide a mattress and box spring in a unit, must also provide appropriate bed bug proof encasings
2. Landlords provide bed bug prevention guidance to new tenants
3. Landlords who offer short term rentals may be required to search for bed bugs each month!

If you are a landlord, you can see more relevant tips to prevent bed bugs for landlords here.

What Can I do to prevent bed bugs?

The top 3 bed bug prevention techniques out there are:

1. Know what bed bugs look like and where they are likely to hide. If you think you may have bed bugs, you can watch this informative video for signs of bed bugs.
2. Travel Smart – Know how to search for bed bugs and what bed bugs look like. Use this information to search for bedbugs on your next vacation.
3. Purchase scientifically tested bed bug proof mattress covers and travel encasements.

Top 10 Bed Bug Infested Cities in 2012

Bed Bug Infested Cities

Exterminators have been working hard to treat bed bugs this year, especially in large travel states like Ohio, Illinois and New York. The highest treatment for bed bugs over 2012 (according to a recent report by Orkin) were found to be:

1. Cincinnati
2. Chicago
3. Detroit
4. Denver
5. Los Angeles
6. Columbus
7. Ohio
8. Dallas/Ft. Worth
9. New York
10. Richmond/Petersburg, Virginia

Why are bed bug infestations increasing?

As you may have noticed, a lot of bed bug infested cities are in highly urban areas with large airports. That is because bed bugs are likely to travel with you on clothing and/or in luggage. There are helpful products to prevent bed bugs while traveling including bed bug proof travel pillows and bedbug luggage liners of various sizes.

It is also possible that bed bug populations and recognition of infestations have been increasing throughout the United States. You can see more US bed bugs stats here.

At this point, bed bug statistics indicate that bed bug prevention is key to reducing the need and cost of bed bug treatment. If these findings make you itch, feel free to read more about bed bug prevention here.

Bed Bugs in University of Nebraska Dorms

Recently, we reported about the University of Nebraska’s bed bug infestation. Well, they have dealt with the infestation, but at quite a hefty price! The cost to get rid of bed bugs at the University of Nebraska was estimated at over $300,000!

Getting rid of bed bugs in dorm rooms

Getting rid of bed bugs in dorm rooms, or anywhere, is a painstaking job. The University had 2 different pest control companies search room by room for the tiny critters.

One big challenge that the University faced was that of bed bug phobia or the social stigma that students faced in acknowledging that they had bedbugs in their dorm. Many students were afraid of admitting they have bed bugs; while other students admitted that they would be weary of “hanging out” with a student who had an infestation. Naturally, this causes a problem when searching for and eliminating bed bugs.

Preventing bed bugs in dorm rooms The University of Nebraska has taken measures to warn students not to bring used furniture and mattresses back to the dorms – all in an effort to avoid future infestations. But is it enough? What about bed bugs in carpets and clothing? And, what if student’s simply can’t afford to heed that advice?We recommend that students, and even University’s, begin investing in bed bug mattress covers. In fact, in response to the recent bedbug outbreaks at college campuses across the US, Bedbug.com has created the scientifically engineered and bed bug proof smart buy for dorm rooms. This package deal saves student’s money by including the essentials for bed bug prevention!

Smart Buy for Dorm Room Value Pack includes: 1 Pillow Encasement 1 Twin XL Mattress Cover 2 Laundry Bags Price: $89.99

Bed Bugs Hide Away from Bed Bug Sprays in Local High School

Even after spraying for bed bugs,  GAR High School in Wilkes-Barre found 2 resilient bed bugs. Some articles suggest that the tiny bed bugs hid behind a panel, where the spray did not reach. There is also evidence that suggests that bed bugs, as a species, are becoming more resilient to bed bug sprays in general.

Bed bug infestations are becoming increasingly problematic in schools across the US. Bed bugs are often called ‘hitchhickers’ because they are able to travel easily on clothing and in backpacks; following children to and from school.

Once settled, bed bugs can reproduce quickly, and be difficult to exterminate. The best advice for parents concerned about bed bug infestations is to take preventative measures against bed bugs.

Bed Bug Court Case Verdict goes to the Landlord

In the past, we at Bedbug.com have gotten many questions about bed bug litigation and what the law says when it comes to bed bug infestations in apartment buildings.

While we are not qualified to give legal advice to landlords or tenants, we did  come across the verdict in a recent case, which decided that the landlord was not responsible for bed bugs after having done his due diligence in reporting past infestations and allowing the buyer to inspect the apartment before signing. To read more about this case, please visit http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=8341f9cd-8907-4959-a65c-b0880722866a.

Sleep Tight!

Bed Bug Infest Saratoga Springs Housing

Bed Bugs in Public Housing

Saratoga Springs, December 2011. A recent bed bug infestation at a Saratoga Springs public housing building terrifies residents. One resident speaks out about her experience with bed bugs.

Teresa Grocki, a resident of Stonequist Apartments has been cleaning her mattress, clothing and self to try to get rid of bed bugs in her own apartment. Until recently, when she took her bed bug problem to the City Council. She urged leaders to help her elimiate bed bugs for all the tennants of the building.

One Tennant Speaks Out About Bed Bugs

While she was initially embarrased to speak out due to the psychological and sanitary factors associated with bed bugs, she ultimatelly felt empowered to take it to City Council. Grocki was supported by other residents, who signed statements supporting her plea. While there is a stigma associated with bed bug infestations, reporting bed bugs seems to be the best way to enact large scale changes.

This difficulty is exaserbated in low-income residences, where tennants often cannot afford the cost of bed bug eradication and may be unable to move. Mayor Scott Johnson said Wednesday that his office had sent a code enforcement officer to the high rise after recently being contacted about the problem.

It is unclear how the bed bugs got there. However, some people believe they may have arrived with visitors from other cities. What is clear is that removing bed bugs from large apartment buildings is a large and expensive project, because all surrounding rooms must be checked and treated for bed bugs. Estimates suggest that getting rid of the bedbugs in Stonequist Apartments would cost about $25,000. We hope that the tennants at Stonequist, as well as across the globe are able to once again sleep tight and eliminate bed bugs.

Bed Bug Information For You

• Inspect Your Home for Bed Bugs
• Report Bed Bugs in Your Neighborhood
• What does my state have to say about bed bugs?
• Prevent Bed Bugs Now!

Bed Bugs Force DMV To Close

Bed Bugs at the Littleton, Colorado DMV

In Littleton, Colorado bed bugs were found on one DMV employee’s desk and as a result the DMV has shut down. Bed bugs are not only driving people out of their houses, hotels, and favorite stores but now they are keeping people out of their DMVs.  The DMV will remain closed until it is thoroughly inspected and completely free of any bed bugs. Getting rid of bed bugs is no easy task, but in this case it is important that it is done, not only thoroughly, but quickly. Bed bugs are creeping up in more and more commercial and public places, they are no longer staying true to their name as they recently have been found far from the bedroom.

The DMV is expected to open on Monday, but the date can be pushed off if bed bugs are found after investigations. The situation has inconvenienced many people and at this point all that can be done is precaution to prevent a future reoccurrence. Bed bugs may not spread diseases but their bites are not painless. These bugs spread very easily and therefore, infestations must be treated properly.

Read more about detecting bed bugs and preventing infestations here. 

Volunteers Work to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

A New Bed Bug Volunteering Project

In Kreta Ayer, Singapore a new volunteering program has been created – the Stop Pests Project. This projected two-month program, beginning on September 11, 2011, aims to help clean 150 bed bug infested houses on Block 51 – a main rental block in Kreta Ayer.

‘Stop Pests Project’ targets 150 bed bug infested homes

Many elderly and poor individuals, living in this area, are unable to afford getting rid of bed bugs in their houses and so they live alongside the blood-sucking critters. This Stop Pests Project has already racked up corporate investors and has taken public donations to help cover the estimated cost of $250,000.

The Stop Pest Project has employed an Origin Exterminators’ beagle to help locate the bed bugs within the many houses. This use of dogs to find bed bugs is a new practice that has been growing both within the United States and out. Once the bed bugs have been located, over 100 volunteers have begun packing up houses for extermination.

This two-month project is only a test run of what could be a huge campaign to help clean the city of infestations and perhaps prevent bed bugs in the future. In addition to increasing the number of houses targeted by this volunteer program, head of the Stop Pest Project, Dr. Neo hopes to eventually have enough funding to replace the infested furniture and bed bug ridden mattresses.   

Read more about protecting your mattresses from infestations at http://lnk.nu/bedbug.com/1s15.aspx

“Bedbugs” Hits the Bookshelves

“Bedbugs,” on sale September 6, 2011, is a book you might not want to read before going to bed. That is, unless you have protective bed bug encasements.

“Bedbugs” book hits the shelves on September 6th

We’ve all read books that make our skin crawl, remember Goosebumps – the  blood-curling books of the 90s? But author Ben H. Winters takes this idea to a whole ‘nother, more literal, level in his book “Bedbugs”. In his modern take of Ira Levin’s “Rosemary’s Baby”, his main character Susan Wendt finds herself going crazy over bedbugs that seem to be a figment of her own imagination.

Susan and her husband Alex, along with their daughter move into a new, seemingly too-good-to-be-true, apartment. The apartment really does turn out to be too-good-to-be-true when Susan discovers a bed bug bite on one of her portraits. Then the bedbug bites start showing up all around the apartment, including on Susan herself. But for some reason neither Alex nor her daughter Emily ever wake up with any bites and both don’t seem to think the house is infested. Susan thinks she’s having hallucinations after an exterminator examines the house and announces it is bedbug free. Yet, Susan continues to be tormented by these critters. Winters spares no detail in describing the bugs crawling all over Susan’s body leaving a trail of bed bug bites as she helplessly lies in bed. Reading the book you certainly do not feel any better than Winters’ character does – in fact you almost can’t help running to your bed, yanking off the covers and checking your sheets for signs of these horrific bugs.

While the book is intense and thrilling it is definitely made for a strong-stomached audience, so if that is not you be careful before picking up Winters’ “Bedbugs” off the bookstore shelves.

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