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

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a chilling report yesterday (Sept 22, 2011). The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report concerns illnesses and fatalities associated with using insecticides to control bed bugs.

Bed bug infestations have increased, 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 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 two emergency medical technicians who responded to a treated scene.

The remainder fell mainly 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.

People are making themselves and others sick by trying to kill bed bugs. Getting rid of bed bugs does no good if you aren’t going to live to enjoy a 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, vacuuming, steaming, 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 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!
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Don’t Let Your Pet be A Statistic Control Cat Allergy

The Santa Barbara Independent reports that the number 2 reason that cats are turned into shelters nationwide is  “allergies”.  They cite the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy as their source and say that the number one reason is “too many cats”, which sounds like a momma cat had kittens.

You can read the entire article here.  These cats lose their home because people don’t know how to control cat allergies.

It’s a shame.  Because allergies are cumulative, there are probably many other factors besides just the cat that caused the uncontrolled allergy.  The allergic person is probably allergic to dust mites, pollen, mold, or other household allergens.  The Humane Society reports that almost 1/3 of Americans live with a cat to which they are allergic.  Those are cat lovers that have learned to control cat allergies.

I believe it.  We help people every day live with pet allergy and their pets.  By simply keeping Miss Kitty out of the bedroom, you can greatly reduce your exposure to her allergens.  Weekly application of Allerpet/C is an easy way to reduce the allergens in the cat.

Allerpet is a great coat conditioner as well, so in addition to reducing allergens, it makes the fur soft and shiny.  It is not a cat allergy shampoo or a cat allergy spray, it is a liquid that is easy to apply with minimal indignity suffered by the cat.

Also, by running a HEPA air cleaner, you can reduce the level of all household allergens, including airborne pet allergens.  Same for frequently vacuuming or cleaning floors and dusting the furniture with damp cloths.  All of these steps help reduce allergens in the house, whether from pets or dust mites and as a result help you control cat allergy and dust mite allergies.

I’ll never forget when a friend asked me after a visit “Why do your house and air feel so clean?”  I just had to laugh and say “That’s because it is”.

I run multiple Austin Air HealthMates, a have no carpeting, and I don’t have lots of overstuffed furniture.  I do have lots of surfaces that are easy to wipe down and I don’t keep many dust catchers on the shelves.  It keeps down the allergens and housecleaning is pretty simple.  And face it, if something is easy, you are more likely to do it.  Right?

So, like peace, just give the kitty a chance.
Til Next Time!
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Allergy Covers for Travel

Do you travel much for work or pleasure?  Do you worry about what’s lurking in that hotel bed?  If the answer to either question is “Yes” then you might want to invest in fitted dust mite-proof allergy covers for travel.  If you generally stay in a room with a king-size bed, get the king-size.  If you are a queen-size bed traveler, then the queen size is perfect for you.

These allergy covers for travel are made from a 50/50 blend of cotton and polyester fused to a waterproof, dust-mite-proof membrane.  Instead of the traditional zippered construction, these covers are made in the same fashion as a fitted sheet.  With elastic bands on the corners, these covers are easy to slip on and off the bed.  That is what makes them perfect for travel.

A fitted cover does not give you the same level of protection as a zippered cover, but it certainly gives you more protection than doing nothing.  They easily fold into a compact size so they don’t take up much room in the suitcase, another reason these are great allergy covers for travel.

If you are a frequent hotel guest, you might want to think about bringing your own cover.  That way no matter the “history” of the bed, you are protected.  And speaking of protection, women travelers need to be particularly alert.

Til next time!
Cheryl
The Allergy Store