Bed Bugs

As people involved in the real estate transaction we all are exposed to this recently spiralling growth and exposure to this delicate issue. Although there is no health issue associated to an infestation of this pest there is a major stigma in finding these parasites. Recent studies indicate an increase in North America of 2010 cases, 3X more than in 2009 and expect to be 10X by 2015. Here follows some suggestions and some indicators to be aware of:

MAJOR FLAG: Legs of beds sitting in dishes of some description with mineral oil or vaseline as a "moat" around the legs. Meant to isolate the bed and catch any insects travelling through the dish. If searching for for signs look closely in creases in the bed piping or tight spaces on the bed base for brown apple seed sized indications. Eggs are even smaller and white/transparent. If trying to investigate very large areas (multi dwelling locations) then specially trained dogs can be very succesfully used.

Bites on a persons are usually in a line approx in line with the "tide line"of the sheets on your bed, lines of dark stains on the sheets or mattress similar marks from a "Sharpy Pen" are indications of bed bug faeces. If bites are not in lines or are only below your knees these maynot be Bedbug indications.

The majority of "nests" are specifically in bedroom areas although other regions of limited movement and warm environments are becoming likely venues for them to make into a home, IE: Theatres and Offices public and private. Generally they are a nocturnal insect and only need to venture out for approx 10 minutes each week to gain food so the likelyhood of us encountering them and transferring them to our own homes, unless we are hunting them is extreamly low. On a personal note frequenting used clothing and furniture stores increases your possible exposure and when buying soft furniture or specifically bedding and the vendor offers the free removal of old bedding this exposes your new purchase to the old bedding being picked up: as they are stored adjacent to the new items in the transport truck so likely not such a good idea.

The best ways to remove an infestation is by application of heat, either steaming of the furnishings and placing the clothing in a clothes dryer for approx 5 mins on full heat, or fullout heat sterilisation of the rooms (attaining 145 F for 3 hours) concerned in the home at a cost of $700 - $2000. Trying to purge by placing items outside in cold weather may not be very successful as the bugs can survive for serval days to weeks at -10 C.