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Bed bugs come in different varieties but are basically parasitic insects that are active at night time. Spread by crawling, they live in linen, clothing, and cracks in furniture.

What Are Bed Bugs

Part of the cimicid family, bed bugs are tiny bugs that feed on bats and other animals and human blood. There are different types and species, including barn swallow, Mexican chicken, and tropical bugs. The Mexican chicken bug, for example, feeds on fowl and birds and is usually found on farms. The tropical variety feeds on human blood and bats and is found in regions with temperate as well as tropical climate. A total of 92 different species have been identified.

Where Can Be Found

They can be found in sofas and other upholstered furniture, textiles, beds and bed frames, box springs, mattress covers, mattresses, etc. Other areas that can be infested include wallpaper cracks, dressers, carpet edges, and curtains. Buildings that are at risk of infestation include buses, trains, and other transportation vehicles, shelters, laundries, office buildings, theaters, and other high-traffic areas. About 2/3 of bed bugs, however, are concentrated in the bed area.

Bites and Signs

Common signs of bug bites include itching, swelling, and redness. They can be mistaken for skin problems, rash, and mosquito and flea bites. Treatment is usually not required. Some patients develop bacterial infections and are prescribed antibiotics. If allergic reaction occurs, doctors usually prescribe antihistamines or topical steroids. Some people use natural and home remedies such as water and soda paste, oatmeal baths, tea tree essential oil, patchouli oil, and cold compresses.

How to Eliminate Them

There are different ways and products to kill insects, including diatomaceous earth, neem oil, and thyme oil. Diatomaceous earth, for example, contains fossils of diatoms, which are miniature aquatic species. There are numerous applications in farming, skin care, food manufacturing, water filtering, etc. Diatomaceous earth is also used to kill parasites, insects, and viruses and to reduce the harmful effect of free radicals. Neem oil is also used to get rid of bed bugs in commercial settings and homes. Azadirachtin, the main ingredient of neem oil, repels more than 200 insect species and is low in toxicity. Washing, fabrics, upholstery, and other surfaces also help eliminate bed bugs. You may add essential oils for better results. Lemon oil, for example, is known to repel insects, including bed bugs. It is best to contact a professional service company, however. They have experience in treating infested areas and use professional products and solutions. Some companies use professional insecticides while others use natural or organic products. Professional insecticides are more effective in treating infested areas. If you choose this option, ask whether the products they use are safe to apply on upholstery, fabrics, and mattresses, especially if you have small children, pets, or known allergies.

It is a good idea to inspect framed pictures, bed frames, fabrics, and soft furnishings on a regular basis. Check for eggs, dead bedbugs, blood stains, and insects to avoid infestation. If you are a frequent traveler, you may want to keep your suitcases away from furniture and your bed area. Put your clothes in the drier for 20 30 minutes when returning from a trip or holiday.

Bed Bugs in Canada, Cases and Infested Areas

The most heavily infested areas in Canada include Ottawa, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Toronto. Other cities that have bed bug problems include Calgary, Scarborough, Sudbury, Halifax, Edmonton, and St. Johns. The majority of cities with bug problems are located in Ontario (14 in total).

In fact, there is a bed bug registry that allows users to browse for sites with reported cases. Sites include both residential homes and commercial properties. Renters and travelers are welcome to report areas with cases and bug infestations, including libraries, movie theatres, hospitals, dormitories, hotels, apartments, and houses. Users, on the other hand, are free to browse by city and state, street address, and hotel name. Information is available for different cities in Canada, including Toronto, Vancouver, Saskatoon, Regina, and others. The registry also features resources, city maps, alerts, and other useful information.

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Bed Bugs Info Bed Bugs Info

Toronto was listed as the top bed bug city in 2020 among 25 Canadian cities, according to Orkin Canadas annual bed bug report. Photo by ORKIN CANADA /ORKIN CANADA

However, Orkin Canada said its expected that once the economy reopens, bed bugs cases will rise again.

Due to their ability to double in population about every 16 days, it should not be difficult for bed bugs to regain their grip on the Canadian market, the company said.

Behind Toronto in the top 10, in order, are Sudbury, Oshawa, Vancouver, Winnipeg, St. Johns, Scarborough, Whitby, Edmonton and Ottawa.

Compared to the previous year, Toronto and Vancouver kept their No. 1 and 4 spots respectively, while Ottawa fell from 5 to 10 and Whitby rose from 20 to 8.

The survey results are based on the number of commercial and residential bed bug treatments carried out by the company from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2020.

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Toronto Public Health didnt provide a comment about the survey, but directed media to the city website that provides instructions for preparing an insect sample for bed bug identification. It said the three steps are prevention, identification and treating the problem.

It is possible for anyone to have an infestation of bed bugs, regardless of income or housing. Bed bugs and bed bug infestations are not considered a health hazard, the department says on the website. However, secondary health concerns include skin infections and allergic reactions from insect bites, as well as the stress and anxiety of dealing with extreme infestations.

People can use proactive prevention tips such as careful examination of bags and clothing, drying potentially infested bed linens or clothing on the highest heat setting, and inspecting all second-hand or returning office furniture, said Orkin Canada.

jyuen@postmedia.com

Here is the original post:
Toronto leads Canada in bed bugs, but COVID crawls back ...

Bed bug numbers have dropped in Saskatchewan and across Canada according to a 2020 study done by pest control company, Orkin Canada.

The annual study saw a 20-per cent decrease in bud bug reports, the largest dip theyve seen in its five-year history.

A local spokesperson believes that those numbers have been directly impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(The bed bugs) typically will hitchhike and move with their hosts, which unfortunately we are, Orkin Saskatchewan branch manager Justin Browne said.

With that reduction (of moving location to location), and people being quarantined theres been less ability for bed bugs to move around.

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Like the rest of the country Saskatchewan has seen a drop in reported bed bug cases, but this year also marked the first time that the province had two cities make the list, with Saskatoon coming in at 23, and Regina 24.

When you get into some of the more denser populations, where people are more in condos, theres more opportunity to spread because they are home more, Browne said.

2020 marks the third year that the Bridge City appeared on the list, landing at 22 in both 2017, and 2019.

While this marks just the second appearance for the Queen City, Regina also came in at 22 back in 2018.

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Excerpt from:
Orkin Canada: Saskatchewan bed bug numbers down in 2020 ...

One of Canadaslargest pest control providers has released a new list that no city should be happy to top.

Orkin Canada has released its listing of the 25 most afflicted bed bug cities in Canada.

For those not in the know, bed bugs areparasiticinsectsof thecimicidfamily thatfeed exclusively on blood. In the case of the most common bed bug, the blood they feed on is human blood. Great.

To be clear, Orkin Canadasdata is derivedexclusively from the number of commercial and residential properties that have received bed bug treatment directly from Orkin between January 1 and December 31, 2020.

1. Toronto2. Sudbury3. Oshawa4. Vancouver5. Winnipeg6. St. Johns7. Scarborough8. Whitby9. Edmonton10. Ottawa

Thebed bug registryallows people to search for houses, hotels, and apartments that may or may not have had a reported case of bed bugs. It has information available for most major Canadian cities including Metro Vancouver and Toronto.

This year, things have been a bit different, with the looming pandemic and all, but bed bug sightings are down from the year prior by close to 20% nationally, according to Orkin.

Compared to last years list, Toronto and Vancouver kept their spots in first and fourth place, respectively, but Ottawa fell from fifth place to 10th, and Whitby jumped from 20th to eighth.

According to Orkin, tips for homeowners and vacationers include:

Orkin Canada

It is expected, however, that as the economy opens, bed bugs will be back in business (tip: beware of the return of borrowed office chairs). Due to their ability to double in population about every 16 days, it should not be difficult for bed bugs to regain their grip on the Canadian market, shares Orkin.

So sleep tight! And dont let the bed bugs well, you know.

Read more from the original source:
These are the 25 worst cities in Canada for bed bugs | News - Daily Hive

Travel restrictions, social distancing, and border closures are all part of life during Covid-19. But those tough rules have had an unexpected benefit there are fewer bed bugs now, Canada's biggest pest controllers say.

According to a report released by pest-control company Orkin Canada, bed bug sightings were down by 20 percent during 2020 a decline that it says is down to the pandemic. It's the first time in five years that the number of bed bug sightings has dropped.

The bugs normally hide out in mattresses and bedding, feed on skin particles shed by sleepers and also take a bite to suck blood leaving a tell-tale spot usually on the arms or face or other exposed areas of a sleeping person's body. They'll also leave small spots of poo on sheets and other bedding or furniture.

Normally, they hitch a ride on luggage and clothing or other items placed on soft or unpolished surfaces with hotel rooms being particularly vulnerable.

Bernie Grafe, a spokesman for Orkin Canada, said the bed bug decline is due to the pandemic. Likening bed bugs to "hitchhikers," Covid-19 means fewer people are traveling and the pests can't spread as easily.

But once the travel restrictions are lifted, expect the bed bugs to start moving around again too. Gaffe warned that once the lockdowns are eased, bed bugs will start to bite and travel again. The pests can lie dormant for months at a time and that means they'll be hungry for blood when normal life resumes.

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Who said there's no good news from this Covid-19 pandemic? You don't have to worry so much about bed bugs now - RT