Reports of bedbugs double in Vancouver

A pest control agency is reporting a two-fold increase in Vancouver bedbug infestation in the past three years, following a trend happening right across Canada.

In 2010, we were getting about 20 to 25 calls a week (in Vancouver), said Abell Pest Control regional manager Bola Fagbamiye, Now were at the point where were getting over 50 calls a week.

According to a survey commissioned by the Toronto-based pest control company in late June involving 67 public health inspectors, 57% said reports of bedbug infestations have risen over the past three years.

The study found 81% of the inspectors agreed apartment buildings had experienced the largest jump in bedbug populations.

Glen Embree, manager of health protection programs for Fraser Health in Surrey, confirmed the increase in bedbug calls.

If youre looking at last year compared to 10 years ago, yeah, there has been a lot more calls about bedbugs, he said Thursday.

With several self-help options available, Embree said putting clothes or sensitive silks into the freezer is one option to kill the bugs. Another is using hot water 57 degrees Celsius is recommended to scrub linens. Carpet steaming and frequent vacuuming can also work.

Sprays containing the insecticide pyrethrum are also available at gardening stores or hardware businesses. They are considered a gentler chemical treatment process than industry products.

A natural option is diatomaceous earth, also available at gardening stores, which literally sucks the blood out of the bug.

Its the crushed up exoskeletons of little aquatic organisms called diatoms, hence the term diatomaceous earth, said Brett Johnston, president of pest control firm Assured Thermal Solutions.

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Reports of bedbugs double in Vancouver