Click Free Pest Control Quote
to fill in a form to obtain a free pest control quote today.
DECATUR Bed bugs, once nearly extinct in the United States, have come scurrying back in greater numbers and Central Illinois has been one of their landing spots.
In Hotels, apartment buildings, homes, restaurants, churches, libraries, movie theaters, taxis, storage sheds, schools, workplaces the small, flat, brown bugs with the big bite are back, and theyre everywhere.
Bed bugs arent disease carriers, which is good, but it also causes them not to fall under the authority of county and state health departments, or any other governmental organization. Theres no funding for prevention and extermination, and little information collected about exactly where theyre being found.
Still, even without solid statistics, the Macon County Health Department had enough evidence of bed bug infestations it sought to form a coalition to tackle the problem. In just a few months, the Bed Bug Coalition has had no trouble finding members. The city, landlords, business owners, schools, health and social service organizations, among others, are looking for answers.
It turns out, there arent any easy ones.
Graphic shows the life cycle of a bed bug.
Bed bugs spread easily, are drawn to warm bodies not trash and moisture, like many pests and are both difficult and expensive to get rid of.
Bed bugs dont care what socioeconomic status you are. They dont care what color or gender you are, said Kathy Wade, the department's director of environmental health. I dont think anyone saw it coming and hitting as hard as we got hit in Macon County. In the last week and a half, weve taken eight calls on bedbugs here. It is a problem.
Establishing just how rampant bed bugs are in Decatur is difficult, because no one is officially keeping track.
Nobody in the city of Decatur and Macon County as a whole has jurisdiction over bed bugs, Wade said. We dont have the funding to help, and the city doesnt have the funding to help. We cant track them. We have started keeping a list of how many calls come in, but we dont map them out.
A bed bug is shown with a penny to indicate scale. The pests hide in mattresses, furniture and clothing.
There is a list released annually by pest control company Orkin that identifies what it says are the Top 50 Bed Bug Cities. In the most recent list, the Springfield-Decatur-Champaign region had the 30th-most bed bug treatments performed by Orkin nationwide, second in the state only to Chicago. Central Illinois made the biggest jump of any city/region on the list, moving up 12 spots since the previous year.
But considering how many other pest control companies there are, and how many bed bug infestations that go untreated, the list is flawed. Tim Husen, Orkin entomologist and technical services manager, said the list is meant more as a conversation starter than scientific study.
Macon County Health Department's Kathy Wade is educating the community about bed bugs.Bed bugs dont care what socioeconomic status you are. They dont care what color or gender you are, she said.
The point of the list is to raise awareness of a serious issue, Husen said. Its a chance to educate people on bed bugs and what people can do to prevent them.
There arent any key factors that say why one city is ranked ahead of another.
Health department Administrator Dianna Heyer said bed bugs are a major issue in Macon County, but not more than anywhere else in the United States.
Its not just Decatur, Heyer said. Were not different than many other counties that are facing the same problems.
Richelle Irons, director of neighborhood services for the city of Decatur, said the city began receiving an uptick of bed bug calls late last year and referred callers to the health department, which in turn referred them back to the city.
Thats when we realized we needed to come up with some kind of solution, Irons said. Fortunately, the health department took the lead. Technically, they could have said this wasnt their problem.
Heyer said the department could not ignore the amount of calls it received.
We just decided we needed to do something, Heyer said. It was affecting so many people. It wasnt just the calls we were getting. It was our own employees who go into the homes.
Thats when the department decided to form the Bed Bug Coalition.
When you dont have the jurisdiction and you work in public health, its hard when somebody calls you to say, No, sorry, I cant help you, Wade said. So we decided to get all these different entities together and start a collaboration. We knew we had to educate people first.
The coalition has been meeting monthly since December. Wade said the first meeting covered basic facts, making sure if anyone fielded a call they knew enough to lead the person in the right direction.
The coalition decided that alerting the general public about bed bugs was the next step.
We didnt want to start a fire, but we wanted people to have knowledge, Irons said. The more information you have, the better choices you can make.
We wanted the first pamphlet to educate the people who have them and even the people who dont have them, so they know what to do, Wade said. You dont want people hiding them, you dont want them moving from one home to the next and not tell the homeowner or property manager that you had bed bugs.
"If you have bed bugs in your home or apartment and move to another place, youre just taking the bedbugs with you to a different place, and youre spreading them throughout the entire community.
And at the health department we have a lot of case managers and social workers who go out and do home visits. We wanted to create a guide for them, too.
Ed Bacon has run Gods Shelter of Love, an emergency shelter for women and children, since 2014. He once had a pest control license and treats the shelter monthly for typical maintenance, but hed never seen bed bugs until a resident reported bites to him a month ago. Bed bugs were found in two rooms at the shelter.
Bacon said he called around to pest control companies and was quoted a price from a Decatur-based company: three treatments for $400 each.
According to Scott Fisher of Scotties Pest Control in Decatur, three treatments is standard for getting rid of bed bugs, and the price runs from $250 to $1,000 per treatment, depending on the size of the dwelling.
Its not a onetime shot its a procedure, Fisher said. We use chemicals with residuals and direct-contact killing agents. Then we come back in two weeks and do it again, then usually again, then we come back and inspect the area to make sure theyre gone.
Bacon admitted he was lucky. After finding out the cost, he talked his brother, the owner of Bacon's Termite & Pest Control in the Springfield area, who agreed to provide service to the shelter for free.
We had one bedroom that was the epicenter and a second bedroom with babies, Bacon said. The whole place was treated all of the living room, and the downstairs and upstairs.
Bacon said he didnt escape all expense. The shelter spent $200 on laundry to clean all the bedding and clothing in the shelter.
It worked. Bacon said the only bed bugs they find now are dead ones. But it did force a change at the shelter.
When people come in now, all their belongings are immediately washed, Bacon said. Bed bugs are hitchhikers. They come in on people from the outside.
Bed bugs have been biting humans since the beginning of recorded time, according to "The History of Bed Bug Management" by Michael F. Potter in the spring 2011 issue of American Entomologist/.
"As civilization and commerce expanded, bed bugs spread throughout Europe and Asia ..." Potter wrote. "...Bed bugs were first reported in England in 1583 and became common by the 17th and 18th centuries. They hitchhiked their way to Americas aboard shipsof the first European explorers and settlers."
The paper notes the development of dichloro-diphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) was a turning point in the 1940s. DDT was legendary for its long-lasting effectiveness as dry deposit that did not require direct contact to kill bed bugs.
But DDT was banned in 1972 due to its detrimental effects on wildlife in agricultural use, ushering in what Fisher said was a kinder, gentler era of pest removal.
There are a lot of restrictions from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) on what we use to spray and how we spray it keeps our hands tied, Fisher said. We cant go in and spray chemicals directly on baseboards like we did 30 years ago.
As world travel increased, without the powerful chemicals that killed bed bugs, they begin to repopulate.
Fisher has been in pest control 38 years but never saw a bed bug until seven or eight years ago. Now, Fisher said he performs two bed bug jobs a week.
And were just a small-time operation, said Fisher, who was surprised when he first started seeing bed bugs regularly after never having seen them previously.
Because of those limitations, the amount of time and effort it takes to eradicate bed bugs has multiplied, leading to higher costs.
Bed bugs arent something you can send one person out to you need an entire crew to move furniture, mattresses and equipment, Fisher said. And weve spent eight to 10 hours in a classroom every year for the last three years just learning about bed bugs from people with PhDs.
Theyre so small, you really have to pay attention and get down underneath the bed and get on the floor. We also have to take more precautions than we ever did before. Theres a lot of time and money that goes into it on our end.
Continue reading here:
Bed bug numbers on the rise in Central Illinois - Herald & Review
- Advanced K9 Detectives - Chicago [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2011]
- Illinois Bed Bug Dog - 30 second spot [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- With Bedbugs, Some People See Pests, Others See Profits [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- Detecting Bed Bugs With A Dog [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2011]
- Illinois Bed Bug Dog - Feature [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2011]
- Liberty Termite [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2011]
- Bed Bug Tips From Bruno The Bed Bug Detection Dog [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2011]
- Ms. Ladybug-a sings the Bed Bug Bop [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2011]
- BedBug University: North American Summit 2010 Recap [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2011]
- Piney News for November 15, 2010: Riverhead Resorts Dead! [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2011]
- Illinois Bed Bug Dog - Feature - Video [Last Updated On: October 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2011]
- Pest Control Service, Exterminator in Alton IL 62002 - Video [Last Updated On: December 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2011]
- VTS_01_1.VOB - Video [Last Updated On: December 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 7th, 2011]
- 2 Cases Of Bed Bugs At Aurora Sinai Hospital - Video [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2011]
- bed bug control bedbug infestation treatment preparation kill egg bite feeding eat party song - Video [Last Updated On: December 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2011]
- Illinois Bed Bug Dog - Highly Trained Expert - Video [Last Updated On: December 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 22nd, 2011]
- Bed BUg Central Chicago 2011 - Video [Last Updated On: January 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2012]
- Bed bugs are sucking the fun out of things [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2012]
- Champaign Man Upset Over Apartment Bed Bugs [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- FOX19 Investigates: Secret bed bug dangers [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2012]
- Community Digest [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2012]
- 1-800-GO-VAPOR.com Announces Multifunctional Steam Vapor System that Makes Green Homekeeping Easy [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- 1-800-GO-VAPOR.com Extends Free Accessory Set Offer Through October [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2012]
- Professional Bed Bug Steam Vapor System Now Affordable and Available, Announces 1-800-GO-VAPOR.com [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2012]
- 1-800-GO-VAPOR.com Announces Steam Vapor Systems Learning Center [Last Updated On: October 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 5th, 2012]
- 1-800-GO-VAPOR.com Announces Italian Bed Bug Steam Vapor System [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2012]
- Innovative ‘Green Cleaning’ Steam Vapor Sanitization Systems Now Come with Free Accessories, Announces 1-800-GO-VAPOR ... [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2012]
- 1-800-GO-VAPOR.com Announces Hybrid Allergy Relief Steam Vapor Sanitization System [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2012]
- 1-800-GO-VAPOR.com Announces Free 2-Day Express Shipping on Vapamore Primo Steam Vapor System [Last Updated On: October 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2012]
- Bed Bugs Prevention and Control - Illinois Department of Public Health [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2013] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2013]
- Reports of Bed Bugs in Chicago Hotels - Chicago, Illinois ... [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2013] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2013]
- Bed Bugs Chicago - Bed Bug.org [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2013] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2013]
- Can You See Bed Bugs in Champaign IL [Last Updated On: November 3rd, 2013] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2013]
- Bed Bugs Are Making a Comeback in Illinois [Last Updated On: November 4th, 2013] [Originally Added On: November 4th, 2013]
- Bed Bugs Prevention and Control - Illinois Department of ... [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2013] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2013]
- Illinois teacher uses school bed bug infestation as teachable ... [Last Updated On: November 18th, 2013] [Originally Added On: November 18th, 2013]
- IN Bed Bug Control Gets Rid Of Bed Bugs In Indiana, Kentucky ... [Last Updated On: November 25th, 2013] [Originally Added On: November 25th, 2013]
- Bed Bug Illinois - A Division of Go Bug Free, Inc. [Last Updated On: November 27th, 2013] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2013]
- City of Chicago :: Bed Bug Information [Last Updated On: November 27th, 2013] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2013]
- Bed Bug Report for Hilton Palmer House, Chicago, IL [Last Updated On: December 23rd, 2013] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2013]
- Metropolitan Tenants Organization » Bed Bugs – FAQ [Last Updated On: January 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 4th, 2014]
- Bed Bugs in Illinois | Bedbug Extermination in IL [Last Updated On: January 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 18th, 2014]
- Bed Bugs' Infestation in Chicago Tops Latest Ranking, My Cleaning Products Tips Residents How to Kill Bed Bugs Quick ... [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2014]
- Lawsuit: Bedbugs in suburban hotel force woman to cut dreadlocks [Last Updated On: January 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2014]
- Bed Bug Illinois - Go Bug Free, Inc. - Chicago, IL 60290 [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2014]
- Illinois - Kill Bed Bugs | Best Bed Bug Treatment ... [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2014]
- Bed bugs spotted at the Thompson Center [Last Updated On: March 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: March 22nd, 2014]
- Bed Bug Awareness Week Recognized April 20-26 [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2014]
- Bed Bug Treatment Illinois - Bed Bugs And BeyondBed Bugs ... [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- KILL BED BUGS CHICAGO ILLINOIS | 630-834-2423 | Kill Bed ... [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2014]
- Bed Bugs- U of I Extension [Last Updated On: December 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2014]
- Scientists developing first bed bug trap [Last Updated On: December 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: December 27th, 2014]
- Chicago ranked as worst city in America for bed bugs [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2015] [Originally Added On: January 21st, 2015]
- Milwaukee challenging Orkin report that bed bugs are on the rise [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2015] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2015]
- Lambs Farm battling bed bug infestation [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2015] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2015]
- Peoria County Government :: Bed Bugs [Last Updated On: July 29th, 2015] [Originally Added On: July 29th, 2015]
- Bed Bug Images - Bedbugger.com [Last Updated On: August 3rd, 2015] [Originally Added On: August 3rd, 2015]
- Bed Bug Report for Keylime Cove, Gurnee, IL [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2015]
- Bed Bug Pest Control in Chicago, IL | Midwest Exterminating [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2015] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2015]
- Illinois - Bed Bug Store [Last Updated On: October 30th, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2015]
- Bed Bugs - StopPests.org [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2015] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2015]
- BED BUGS HOTLINE | IBBRA [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2016]
- BED BUGS EDUCATION | IBBRA [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2016]
- Bed Bugs | Chicago Illinois Pest Control | Fox [Last Updated On: April 4th, 2016] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2016]
- City of Chicago :: Bed Bugs [Last Updated On: January 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 6th, 2017]
- Beating Back Bed Bugs | Midwest Pesticide Action Center [Last Updated On: February 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 1st, 2017]
- Bedbugs 'an ongoing problem' - MyWebTimes.com [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- BedBug Central Announces April Survey Results - PCT Magazine [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2017]
- Bed Bugs Archives - PMCS-ICAP [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2017]
- Local Pest Control Warns about Bed Bugs - CIproud.com [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2017]
- What you need to know about bed bugs in Chicago | Illinois ... [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2017]
- The bedbug letter - Casper Star-Tribune Online [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2017]
- Central Illinois struggles to find solution for bed bugs | Local ... - MyWebTimes.com [Last Updated On: July 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 25th, 2017]
- Bed bugs pose particularly difficult problem in Central Illinois - Illinois News Network [Last Updated On: July 31st, 2017] [Originally Added On: July 31st, 2017]
- Dealing with bed bugs | Illinois Legal Aid Online [Last Updated On: July 22nd, 2018] [Originally Added On: July 22nd, 2018]
- Bed bugs on the increase in Illinois but lack of DDT makes ... [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2019] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2019]
- Illinois Tollway Building Has Bed Bugs, Employee Claims ... [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2019] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2019]
- Bed Bug Registry Database Illinois, Usa, National Bed Bug ... [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2019] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2019]
- Bed Bug Inspection | CDIS - Canine Inspection & Detection ... [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2019] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2019]
- How to Keep Bed Bugs Out of Your House - Healthy Home ... [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2019] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2019]
Click Free Exterminator Quote
to fill in a form to obtain a free exterminator quote today.