Category Archives: Bed Bugs Ontario

If you are unsure if your pest is a bed bug, our staff can help with identification if you submit a bed bug sample.

Bed bugs are small biting insects that can multiply quickly and travel easily.

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. 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.

Preventing bed bugs from entering your home is the most important step in preventing an infestation.

Bed bugs can be found in hotels, motels, dormitories, apartments, condos, private homes, and even in some public places, such as businessesand offices. Anyone can get bed bugs.

Bed bugs are small biting insects that multiply quickly and travel easily. Early identification can prevent problems before they start. Learn about how to identify bed bugs, where they live, and how to identify bed bug bites:

Think you found a bed bug?Our staff can help you identify possible bed bugs.

Whether you are a homeowner, tenant or landlord, each person has a role in the treatment process for bed bugs.

Whichever treatment is used, it will only be effective if physical control methods and preventative measures are used together.

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Bed Bugs City of Toronto

Public Health Ontario scientists conducted an updated systematic review on the health effects of bed bugs.

What they found in their review was quite interesting: While bed bugs remain a huge public concern, and have a certain gross factor, there is little evidence to suggest that tracking bed bugs should be an important priority for public health officials. Why? Although bed bug bites can become infected, bed bugs are not responsible for transmission of diseases such as hepatitis or AIDS. Their actual impact on health is quite minimal, though bites are unpleasant.

Commissioned at request of Chief Medical Officer of Health, the systematic review sought to provide the best available epidemiological evidence in support of public health policy decision-making in Ontario. This finding, then, raises the question: Should public health officials with limited budgets invest more time and money in a bed bug surveillance system for what is, essentially, a nuisance? Notably, Ontario has not yet made a decision on a province-wide surveillance system of bed bugs.

Based on the evidence review and after consultation with colleagues in health units, PHO offered the following options to support ongoing provincial efforts on bed bug control and management:

Data links to existing administrative databases such as medical service database and hospital discharge databases

Creation of a government-financed bed bug registry

Routine surveys, either a new stand-alone provincial-wide survey or being a part of an existing health survey such as the Rapid Risk Factor Surveillance System (RRFSS)

Surveillance based on pest control industry databases, calls to local public health units, requests for support received by Community and Social Services of Ontario, participation from health care providers and calls to TeleHealth Ontario

No formal surveillance

For more information about this report, please contact EOH@oahpp.ca.

See more here:
Bed bugs in Ontario: A priority for public health?

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Once near extinction, bed bugs are back in full flight.

The number of bed bugs in urban areas has grown to epidemic proportions over the past few years. Today, bed bugs can be found almost anywhere that people are: hotels, apartments, dorm rooms, delivery vehicles, dry cleaners, jails, hospitals, churches, cruise ships, furniture rental stores, homes, everywhere!

What can you do about it?

The problem with bed bugs is that they are resistant to pesticides, and quickly develop immunities to traditional chemical bed bug pest control. Working with a pest removal company that has access to newer, advanced bed bug pest control is crucial when dealing with these bloodsuckers.

An informal survey of pest control operators conducted by an entomologist at the University of Massachusetts found that 68% of all bed bug infestations require three or more bed bug killers, 26% require two treatments, and just 6% require a single application. This means even the most potent bed bug killers offered by professionals are losing efficacy, and cannot kill bed bugs quite as easily!

Thats why Terminix Canadas bed bug exterminator offers an innovative heat treatment for bed bugs that doesnt rely on traditional chemicals.

Excerpt from:
Bed Bug Heat Treatments | Kill Bed Bugs | Terminix Canada

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This article has information about your rights as a tenant in Ontario, if you find bed bugs in your home.

If you have a problem with bed bugs or other insects or pests, you should immediately inform your landlord, your superintendent or property manager, or someone else who is responsible for ensuring homes are pest-free. As a tenant, you are responsible for cooperating with your landlord's efforts to control bed bugs.

It is the landlord's responsibility to maintain the rental unit so that is fit for habitation and complies with health standards.

Landlords have the right to enter to inspect and maintain rental units. Tenants must be given notice in writing 24 hours ahead of time.

Treating an apartment for bed bugs is not considered an emergency, so your landlord should give you proper notice and adequate time to properly prepare your unit before application of pesticide.

Early detection and fast action is important to addressing an infestation. Only licensed pest control companies should be used.

If the job is not done properly, the bed bugs may come back or continue to spread.

If the pest control operator believes there is a need to also treat neighbouring units, your landlord may have the right to enter to inspect and treat your apartment as well as the affected apartment.

Proper preparation is key to successful treatment and prevention of bed bugs. Landlords should tell you what you need to do in order to make treatment effective. Be prepared. This can take a lot of work, including clearing out shelves, laundering all clothing and bedding, moving furniture away from walls and removing clutter.

It is every tenant's responsibility to make sure they properly prepare the apartment according to the landlord's instructions. If you are unable to do this or have questions, make sure you speak to your landlord about it right away. Family members, friends, neighbours or community members may be able to provide additional support with the preparations.

Landlords can apply to the Landlord and Tenant Board for an order to evict a tenant if a tenant seriously and unreasonably interferes with the landlord's efforts to deal with bed bugs.

Landlords are responsible for the costs for treatment.

If a landlord refuses to help when a tenant notifies them of a bed bug problem, tenants may obtain assistance or advice from a legal clinic or from the Landlord and Tenant Board.

Another option available to tenants whose landlord does not maintain their building properly is to file an application about maintenance with Ontario's Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB). If the Board finds that the building or unit is not maintained adequately, there are several remedies that can be ordered. These include an abatement of rent, an order requiring the landlord to conduct the necessary repairs, or a rent freeze until the problems are resolved.

If you are interested in filing an application with the LTB, you can contact the Board by telephone at 1-888-332-3234 (416-645-8080 in the Toronto area), or visit its website at http://www.ltb.gov.on.ca.

This resource is from the Government of Ontario.Published in 2011.

Last updated: January 7, 2016 4001526

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Tenant Rights: Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small oval shaped insects. They do not fly; they crawl and attach themselves to surfaces such as clothing, furniture and luggage. They are attracted to the carbon dioxide that we exhale and can affect anyone at any time.

Bed bugs are most active at night and are usually found where people sleep. They can also be found in any public space, such as businesses, offices and areas where people gather.

Bed bugs arenotknown to transmit infectious disease to humans. If bitten, some people may have an allergic reaction that presents as itchy welts. The mental health impacts to people living with bed bugs can include anxiety and insomnia.

These bite marks appear within minutes or days and are usually on the face, neck, upper torso, arms and hands. Not everyone reacts to a bed bug bite.

The following signs can indicate a bed bug bite:

Most bed bug bites go away on their own and do not need treatment.

Bed bugs are most active at night and are usually found where people sleep. They can alsobe found in any public space, such as businesses, offices and areas where people gather.

Bed bug activity can be identified by the following:

Places to look for bed bugs include:

Tip:Place glue boards, double sided tape or bed bug interceptors under your bed legs to monitor and catch the bed bugs.

It is important to take immediate action if you suspect that you have bed bugs. Bed bugs can spread rapidly so it is important to report these pests as soon as you suspect that they are in your home.

When you have reported bed bugs to your landlord or hired a licensed pest control company, follow their instructions on how to prepare your home for treatment. In addition, you can begin taking the actions recommended below for bed bug removal.

Removing bed bugs from your home takes time, patience and careful cooperation of the resident, a licensed pest control company. If you live in rental housing, the landlord will also need to be involved.

Do not try to treat your home with pesticides yourself. Pesticides available in retail stores are of little effect against bed bugs and will not kill bed bug eggs. Using these products will cause bed bugs to scatter and spread to other rooms, making it harder to get rid of all the bed bugs. Pesticides can also be harmful to people and to pets.

Only a licensed pest control professional should handle chemical pesticides. If you live in rental housing, the landlord is responsible for providing pest control services and you are responsible for helping to prepare your home for treatment.

The pest control company should inspect your home, describe the treatment and tell you how to prepare your home for treatment. Treatment should be done at least two times, 10 to 14 days apart, in order to effectively remove bed bugs and eggs that can survive after the first treatment. Often, more than two treatments are needed.

Review the 3 steps below to help prepare for treatment.

Dispose of unneeded items by placing them into plastic bags, seal tightly, and dispose of the bag in an outdoor garbage container. Clutter acts as ideal hiding spots for bed bugs and other pests.

Careful vacuuming is an important step to getting rid of bed bugs and preparing for a pest control treatment.

There are some things you can do to prevent bringing bed bugs into your home.

Learn how to check for bed bugs while travelling.

If your work requires that you visit homes that may have bed bugs, take simple precautions to avoid bringing them home. Learn more about what precautions you can take.

Make checking for bed bugs part of your cleaning routine and check regularly. The earlier you find them, the easier it is to get rid of them.

Public Health ServicesCall 905-546-2489 to report bed bug or other pest infestations.

Landlord and tenant boardThe landlord and tenant board helps with disputes between landlords and tenants about bed bugs.1-888-332-3234www.ltb.gov.on.ca

Hamilton Housing Help CentreIf you are low-income and unable to prepare your home for bed bug treatment due to a disability, you may qualify for help. You should speak with the Hamilton Wentworth Housing Help Centre to find out if you qualify.Phone: 905-526-8100www.housinghelpcentre.ca

More information on professional pest control companies in your area can be found at:Structural Pest Management Association of Ontario1-800- 461-6722www.spmao.ca

Public Health ServicesPhone: 905-546-2489Email: publichealth@hamilton.ca

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Bed Bugs | City of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada