Bed Bugs Archives

April 26, 2013October 28, 2022

Bedbugs Invading Hospitals and Nursing Homes

Bedbugs continue to be a big problem and it seems like they are getting worse. An article by Jen Wieczner is all about how hospitals and nursing homes are now having to deal with them. It makes perfect sense if you think about it.

People from all over are being admitted to hospitals and the staff is busy checking your temperature, blood pressure info, and other vitals and they are not looking at your clothes to see if you are bringing in bed bugs.

The good news is bed bug bites don’t cause infections. The bad news is they itch, you scratch and now you have an open wound that some germ already in the hospital can get to you. This is one reason we tell our customers how important it is to keep an eye out for them when you travel and why you should use a mattress cover that keeps bed bugs out of your bed.

Wishing you the best of health

Mike Krause
AllergyStore.com – Helping customers since 1989
800 771-2246

October 10, 2011July 24, 2014

How Do Bed Bug Covers Work? Do They Work?

How do bed bug covers work and do bed bug covers really protect you from bed bugs? I just wrote a quick article about these questions. You can read it at How Do Bed Bug Covers Work and Will They Keep Them Out Of My Home?

Seem like we are getting this question a lot more now days. I had one customer that wanted me to promise her that if she covered her bed that it would keep the rest of her apartment safe. Had to tell her “Sorry can’t do”. Even if you have your mattress, box spring and pillows covered it will not stop them from moving in. They won’t be in your mattress but they will still be other places. The will hide in behind baseboards, in the slots where the bed rails attach to the headboard and footboard. But we will promise you that you won’t get bed bugs in your mattress. The rest of the apartment is up to you.

Wishing you the best of health
Mike Krause

The Allergy Store Serving Customers Since 1989
800 771-2246

September 23, 2011July 24, 2014

Don’t Let the Bed Bug Cure Be Worse Than the Problem

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a chilling report in yesterday’s (Sept 22, 2011) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report concerning illnesses and fatality associated with the use of insecticides used to control bed bugs. Bed bug infestations have been on the increase and there are many theories why. Contributing factors may include more travel and resistance to commonly used pesticides. As a result, the bed bug cure (insecticide) is becoming a real problem.

The Center studied data from 7 states participating in the Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR) pesticides program during the time period 2003 to 2010. A total of 111 illnesses were associated with bed bug pesticides were identified. While 81% were of low severity, there was one fatality. Most of the cases were associated with the use of pyrethroids and pyrethrins. Only 12% of the cases were considered work-related (either pest control operators or hotel workers who entered recently treated rooms) but interestingly included 2 emergency medical technicians who responded to a treated scene. The remainder fell mostly in the categories of people who applied too much insecticide, didn’t wash treated bedding, or failed to notify others of the pesticide application. The bed bug cure probably caused more of a problem than the bed bug itself. Bed bugs won’t kill you, insecticide will.

In an effort to kill the bed bugs, people are making themselves and others sick. It doesn’t do any good to get rid of the bed bugs if you aren’t going to live to enjoy the bug free room.

An editorial note to the report reminds the reader that the CDC and Environmental Protection Agency promote integrated pest management strategies for bed bug control. Their non-chemical methods include encasing mattresses and box springs with bed bug proof covers and vacuuming, steaming, and laundering and even disposing of infested items.

We agree! We have provided bed bug proof covers for many years. As the problem has grown, we added the Vapamore Steam Cleaner with 17 tools so that our customers can do the CDC recommended steaming in ALL nooks, crannies and crevices of their infested areas. We don’t recommend spraying insecticides on your beds and bedding when there are chemical-free ways to treat the problem. Don’t be a statistic, be safe! Don’t let your bed bug cure be more of a problem than the bed bug

Til Next Time!

Cheryl
The Allergy Store