Category Archives: Bed Bugs Maine

New York Daily News

Disgruntled Maine man unleashes 100 bedbugs in Augusta city hall New York Daily News A reportedly disgruntled man from Maine prompted the closure of Augusta city hall after he slammed a container of bedbugs onto a counter, spilling dozens of them into the office. He whippped out a cup and slammed it onto the counter, and bam, off they ... Disgruntled Maine man takes out anger on city workers using bed bugsNH1 News 'Never anything as yucky as this': man throws cup of bedbugs in Maine officeThe Guardian Disgruntled man releases bedbugs in Maine city officeDaily Mail WFTV Orlando all 13 news articles »

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Disgruntled Maine man unleashes 100 bedbugs in Augusta city hall - New York Daily News

How to handle a bed bug problem in your rental unit.

Bed bug problem? It happens to even the best of apartments. Bed bugs can catch a ride in your suitcase or used furniture (beware of second hand mattresses!) or on your clothing. The critters can even travel from another apartment in your building. If youre not sure if you have bed bugs (maybe its fleas from your dog?), check out the article How to Identify a Bed Bug Infestation by a Virginia Tech professor. And if you really want to know everything about bed bugs, check out the website BedBugCentral and see the EPA Bed Bug Information section.

Heres how to deal with a bed bug infestation. (Hint: A can of Raid is not going to do the job.)

If you suspect bed bugs, contact your landlord or manager right away. Your landlord should bring in a qualified exterminator to inspect for and measure the concentration of bed bugs in your rental (and also adjoining units). Your landlord should give you proper notice of entry for the exterminators inspection.

Some states, such as Maine, have specific laws on the books covering landlord and tenant duties regarding bed bug infestations. See the website of the National Conference of State Legislatures for a list of state bed bug laws.

Try to get information beforehand what to expect from an inspection. Typically, a pest management professional will examine the main bed bug site (such as your mattress and bedding), as well as look closely into drawers, closets, and shelves. A professional will also box or map the source, and attempt to confirm where the bed bugs originated, and learn whether and how the problem has spread. Mapping the infestation may also help determine when a particular rental unit became infested, which the landlord may use to apportion financial responsibility for the extermination.

Exterminators usually recommend that tenants in bed bug-infested units take the following steps:

Keep in mind that if you dont follow the exterminators advice, and the bed bugs reappear, youll have to start the whole process all over again.

In keeping with their responsibility to provide habitable housing, landlords must pay to exterminate pests, such as bed bugs, that a tenant has not introduced. In some states such as Florida, this duty is explicit. But, determining who introduced the bed bugs (and who must foot the bill) is often very difficult in multi-unit buildings: Many tenants may be moving in and out, some may have recently traveled abroad and brought home bed bugs, and others may have picked up used furniture that contained bed bugs. As a result, landlords (under their insurance policies) often end up footing the bill for extermination and relocation costs in properties with several rental units. (If you rent a single-family home, especially if you are a long-term tenant, you may be more easily saddled with the cost because there wont be any other residents to turn to).

Depending on your situation, if your landlord fails to take care of a major bed bug problem, you may be able to withhold rent or use the repair and deduct remedy to cover costs such as extermination, break your lease and move out early, or even sue the landlord for damages. See the Nolo article Tenant Options if Your Landlord Wont Make Major Repairs for details on these options.

Eradicating bed bug infestations caused by the tenant, however, can be the tenants financial responsibility. If you are clearly the source of the bed bug problem, your renters insurance (if any) should cover the costs of moving out and replacing any ruined belongings.

Most tenants dont want to move into a rental unit that has problems such as flooding, and several states have laws requiring these types of landlord disclosures. For details on states that require landlord disclosure of bed bug problems, see the Nolo article, What Landlords Need to Tell Tenants About Bed Bugs in the Building .

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Landlord Responsibility for Bed Bugs | Nolo.com

AUGUSTA The discovery of one bedbug shut down Lithgow Public Library all day Wednesday.

Augusta City Manager William Bridgeo said a bedbug-sniffing dog indicated the presence of a bedbug by sitting down in front of a stack of large-print books directly across from the circulation desk.

The problem is that if it was in a room, they could shut the door and then deal with it, he said, but the central location forced the closure of the building.

Bridgeo said the area was sprayed and the library will be open as usual Thursday with one small area cordoned off.

In all likelihood, somebody returned a book and it had a bedbug in it, Bridgeo said. A couple months ago one was found in a DVD case that had been returned, and a couple months earlier there was a hit on furniture.

The city has a contract with Merrills Detector Dog Services, of Readfield, for monthly sweeps by specially trained dogs of three buildings City Center, the Buker Community Center and Lithgow Public Library to search for signs of bedbugs, which have been a pest for the city in recent years. The blood-sucking bugs usually come out at night or in dark areas, and adults are brown and about one-quarter of an inch long.

By virtue of diligently monitoring for it, weve been able to prevent any serious problems, Bridgeo said Wednesday. We consider it to be money very well spent.

The city pays $125 monthly and more if treatments have to be applied.

Betsy Pohl, of the library director, said the Lithgow staff didnt initially know the full extent of the problem.

It was one very small area and we saw no bug, but the dog indicated there was an issue there, so we contacted the pest control person to come in to treat it, Pohl said. We decided to keep the library closed while the spray was drying, since its in the heart of the library, right across from the circulation desk.

During the day, a sign at the librarys entrance and a post on its Facebook page informed visitors it was closed because of a facility issue and apologized for the inconvenience.

The library, which initially opened in 1896, underwent a $11 million renovation and expansion project and reopened at its 45 Winthrop St. location in August 2016.

Pohl said she wished more institutions would take the same approach as the city of Augusta did to the bedbug situation and she was proud of the city for being so proactive.

Its a commitment to staying on top of this problem, which is not limited to libraries, she said. Its a problem in five-star hotels, and in residences. Theyre bugs theyre opportunistic. Im pleased we have this protocol.

Staff writer Charles Eichacker contributed to this report.

Betty Adams 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams

Excerpt from:
Lithgow Public Library closed Wednesday because of bedbug problem - Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel

Posted on April 26, 2016

If you think it is too cold for bed bugs to live in Maine, then you don't know bed bugs very well. These are pests that dwell almost entirely inside. And, being an "inside" bug, they can be found in all 50 states, including Alaska. In fact, these apple-seed-sized insects are increasing on a worldwide level. Experts believe it is because of an increase in world travel and that these are a hitchhiking bug. It may also have a lot to do with the fact that these pests breed like crazy. A bulletin from the Department of Health and Social Services of Alaska warns that "once at home in a new spot, they double in population every 16 days."

What can Mainers do to protect themselves from bed bugs?

Be aware of what these pests look like. Wherever you are, it is important to know a bed bug when you see it. By recognizing these pests, you can take measures to prevent them from coming home with you.

Be aware of what bed bug bites look like. They can seem like mosquito bites, but there are two notable differences. Bed bug bites often have a rash around them, and they will usually appear in a line or cluster.

Be aware of what bed bug infestations smell like. If you are lying in a bed, sitting in a chair, or lounging on a couch that has a faint odor of dirty, wet towel, you might want to do a quick inspection.

Be aware that bed bugs don't just live in hotels and motels. They have been found infesting public transportation and public venues. You need to be aware of bed bugs in buses, trains, airplanes, taxi cabs and other forms of transit, as well as movie theaters, libraries, and other places people sit.

Be aware that these bugs can come into your home on other people. If your kids have recently had a slumber party or you have had a relative stay the night, be sure to wash and dry all bedding and sheets on the hottest temperature. Heat will kill bed bugs in all stages of development. It is also a good idea to use a flashlight to do an inspection of guest areas, for added protection.

Be aware that bed bugs can be in the cleanest place and on the cleanest people. They aren't drawn to filth. They are drawn to blood; which is why they can be found infesting 5-star luxury hotels and cruise ships.

When an infestation occurs, be aware that Big Blue Bug Solutions is now in Portland, Maine and that we service all of Southern Maine. When these blood eating pests strike, Big Blue has the solution for you.

Tags: bed bugs | facts about bed bugs | bed bug control in me

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Bed Bugs In Maine? - bigbluebug.com

Pest Management Fact Sheet

Bed Bugs

Bulletin #5004

James F. Dill, Pest Management Specialist Clay A. Kirby, Insect Diagnostician

For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit extension.umaine.edu. Find more of our publications and books at extensionpubs.umext.maine.edu.

Introduction

Bed bugs are making a comeback in the U.S. for several reasons. Some factors include increased international travel, increased popularity of thrift shops, yard sales, and buying used furniture. Also, the practice of using specific household pest control tactics, and crowded living conditions in certain apartment complexes and neighborhoods has added to the problem. Bed bugs have a secretive life style and can hide in any crack or crevice, going undetected for quite a while.

In addition, bed bug eggs are tiny (smaller than a pinhead) and hard to detect. In a heavy infestation, they can be practically anywhere. For these reasons, we suggest you contact a licensed pest management professional with extensive bed bug experience.

Description & Biology

Adult bed bugs are brown, flat and about a 1/4 inch long, with a soft, rounded look. After a blood meal they are dark red, rounded (distended), and about 3/8 inch long.

Adult Bed Bug

Size Comparison: Adult Bed Bug (Left), Bed Bug Nymph (Middle), and Sesame Seed (Right)

These pests usually come out at night or in darkened areas. The pests small white eggs hatch into almost transparent nymphs that start feeding at the first opportunity and molt five times before becoming adults. Usually, all stages of bed bugs are present in an infestation. A temperature of 70-80F is ideal for bed bug development. Bed bugs can live from months to over a year without feeding. At least three generations per year are possible with proper temperature and food supply.

Bed bugs typically hide close to their hosts, however, they can travel up to 20 feet (sometimes more) to find one. When hiding places and hosts are few, they may be found almost anywhere- in the seams of mattresses, in box springs, in cracks of floorboards, behind peeled wallpaper, in picture frames, in couches, stuffed chairs, clothing and even the seams of curtains; wherever a dark crack or crevice might be. Dark excrement spots of partially digested blood are often found where they rest. Cast skins will also be found, especially where infestations are heavy.

Bed bugs usually feed at night, but when very hungry they are less likely to wait for darkness. Bed bugs inject a fluid into their host to help them get their blood meal. This fluid makes some people sensitive to bites, causing irritation, itching and inflammation. Other people can live with bed bugs and not be aware of their presence. In spite of their feeding habits, bed bugs are not known to carry diseases.

There seems to be no consistent way to determine a bed bug bite without actually finding the bugs. Pets, birds, rats or mice may help support bed bug populations. These pests are also common in poultry houses and occasionally infest areas where animals are kept. Bed bugs closely resemble bat and swallow bugs, which exhibit similar behavior. The key to bat and swallow bug management is targeting the resting area and bat/bird proofing structures.

Management

Preventing bed bug infestations is the first step in management. When traveling, always check your hotel room for bed bugs before you bring any suitcases, duffel bags, purses etc. into your room. The second step in proper management is to get proper identification. This can be done by sending a specimen in rubbing alcohol to the Pest Management Office. There are several methods used to monitor for bed bug activity, you may need to contact a licensed professional to get proper monitoring methods, which may include the use of a dog, and/or heat/CO2/lure traps. Control of bed bugs can be difficult, especially in homes that have many cracks and crevices, loose wallpaper, etc. Examine used bedding and beds before use. At least four actions should be considered to help with management.

1) Vacuuming and de-cluttering. Vacuuming can eliminate some bed bugs when concentrated in a specific area. It also facilitates insecticide penetration of cracks and crevices. It is possible that the vacuum cleaner itself can become infested. So, discard vacuum bag contents right after use, in a sealed plastic bag and closely look over the vacuum and attachments for bed bugs and eggs. De-cluttering of objects laying on the floor and furniture eliminates potential hiding places (especially items stored under the bed).

2) Mattress and box spring encasements. These can be used to salvage beds (or protect new beds) that may be infested. High quality bed bug-proof encasements will seal in bed bugs, which eventually die, and keep additional bed bugs out.

3) Laundering. Suspected infested clothing can be washed on the hot cycle and then put in the dryer at the high setting for 30 minutes. Other non-washable objects can be put in the dryer at high for 30 minutes.

4) Solarizing and freezing. Certain items can be placed in plastic bags and put in the sun or hot vehicle for a day to solarize them. The temperature inside should be above 120F. Heat-sensitive objects may be placed in a freezer (temperature below 32F) for several days.

Bed bug infestations are extremely difficult to manage. Again, we suggest you contact a licensed pest control professional to do the job.

The trained pest control professional may offer several options for bed bug management. One option is to use registered insecticides. Another method involves the use of steam wands to direct steam into cracks, crevices, and other hiding places. A third method is to use dry heat (this may be supplemented with insecticide). In the lab, temperatures of 113F will kill all stages of bed bug. However, in a building it can be quite difficult to get all areas of the unit to the required temperature and for the length of time it needs to be held. This treatment is best left to the professionals. Heat may destroy electronics, pictures, and other personal items. Often, it will take a combination of multiple management strategies to manage an infestation. Remember, it can be quite expensive to control bed bugs correctly.

How to Look for and Avoid Bedbugs in Hotel or Motel Rooms:

When Using Pesticides

ALWAYS FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS!

Pest Management Office 491 College Avenue, Orono, ME 04473-1295 1-800-287-0279 (in Maine)

Information in this publication is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.

2010, 2013 Published and distributed in furtherance of Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Land Grant University of the state of Maine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Cooperative Extension and other agencies of the U.S.D.A. provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.

Call 800-287-0274 or TDD 800-287-8957 (in Maine), or 207-581-3188, for information on publications and program offerings from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, or visit extension.umaine.edu.

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Bed Bugs - University of Maine Cooperative Extension