Category Archives: Bed Bugs Vermont

Agriculture Agency and Health Department Working to Contact Customers

News Release: July 10, 2013

Contact: Vermont Department of Health 802-863-7281

Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Alison Kosakowski 802-272-4547

The Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets has summarily suspended the license of a pesticide applicator, Cary Buck of AAA Accredited Pest Control of North Clarendon, for misuse of a pesticide in treating a residence for bed bugs.

This action was taken after the Agency discovered that the company had wrongfully applied an organophosphate insecticide called chlorpyrifos to a home in the Rutland area. All indoor uses of this pesticide were cancelled by the U.S. EPA in 2001.

The Health Department is working together with the Agency of Agriculture to individually contact customers of this company who may have had their residence treated with this pesticide in 2012 or 2013, and is offering laboratory testing at no cost to determine if the pesticide is present. The Agency has collected a number of samples already, and will continue to sample in the coming weeks.

According to records obtained from the company, an estimated 50 or more residences may be affected, although the extent to which this pesticide was used in any application by the company, which operated in the greater Rutland region, is not presently known. Test results will indicate the presence of chlorpyrifos and any detected levels will determine the advice given by the Health Department for further action.

The discovery of misuse of chlorpyrifos by an applicator in Vermont is troubling, and we are working quickly to identify any customers who may have been exposed through this companys action, said Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Ross.

We are concerned about possible health effects,said Health Commissioner Harry Chen, MD. This pesticide can persist in the indoor environment, and exposure to high enough levels can affect the central nervous system and can be especially harmful to pregnant women and children. While we dont have any indication at this time that health effects from such exposure caused by this company have been widespread, we do recommend testing the residence of any customer identified so that we can take proper steps in the event we discover chlorpyrifos in the environment.

Read more:
State Investigates Misuse of Pesticide for Bed Bug Control

South Burlington, VT (PRWEB) June 21, 2013

A Vermont federal office was hit by bed bugs. It was reported by wcax.com on June 13, 2013 that it was inspected for the pests on Wednesday. However, for the elimination of the critters, My Cleaning Products said that the use of the bed bug spray Bed Bug Bully is the best method to implement. It offered complimentary samples of it to prove its assessment.

According to the report, it was specifically the Vermont Service Center that was scourged by bed bugs, My Cleaning Products shared. It detailed that this recent infestation was actually the third time for the center since April.

The report stated that the office's employees were the ones who informed wcax about the bed bug problem, MCP said. But apart from the infestation itself, it added that some of them were also upset that they were expected to work even in areas likely infested.

Here's a part of the post Bed Bugs Plague a Vermont Federal Office by My Cleaning Products.

The employees of Vermont Service Center are puzzled. Their question who brought the bed bugs in their office?

"According to the federal office's employees, their building was inspected on Wednesday. During which, a number of chairs and filing cabinets were moved out.

"However, it wasn't the first time that bed bugs were sighted in the center. Actually, the most-recent bed bug inspection was already the third one implemented on the building.

MCP relayed that the source of the infestation in Vermont Service Center was never determined. Considering that bed bugs are very good hitchhikers and that there are more than a thousand of people going in and out of the place, it commented it is indeed an impossible feat to trace who brought the pests in the federal office.

However, it stated that the elimination of bed bugs is the opposite of it. It is definitely possible to get rid of those pests, it said. And to prevent them from growing in number and spreading wider, it asserted that the treatment must be prompt among others.

See more here:
Bed Bugs Get Into Vermont Service Center, My Cleaning ...

RUTLAND (AP) -- A Rutland couple who claimed their home was made uninhabitable after it was sprayed for bed bugs with a banned pesticide has reached a $450,000 settlement with the Vermont agency that hired the exterminator.

Neil and Patricia Whitney agreed last week to end their federal lawsuit against the state Department for Children and Families, the state Agency of Human Services and a number of others.

"When its all said and done, this will allow them to start their life over with a little cushion," said Karl Anderson, the Whitneys attorney, told the Rutland Herald (http://bit.ly/1iykXPf ). "Its been a difficult last few years for them."

The Whitneys maintain their home became unlivable after it was sprayed in April 2013 with a banned pesticide to kill bed bugs that were brought into their home by a ward of the state.

The exterminator, who was not named in the lawsuit, was hired and paid by DCF after earlier attempts to rid the home of bed bugs failed.

In their lawsuit, the Whitneys said the exterminator left surfaces "visibly dripping" with pesticide.

Assistant Attorney General Eve Jacobs-Carnahan said the state admitted no wrongdoing by agreeing to the settlement.

"We believe we have a very strong defense and the state is not culpable for the actions of" the exterminator, she said. "But we recognize that the family has been through a very hard time and have agreed to the settlement to help them."

Go here to see the original:
Couple settles state bed bug lawsuit for $450k

RUTLAND (AP) - A Rutland couple whose home was made uninhabitable after it was sprayed for bed bugs with a banned pesticide has reached a $450,000 settlement with the Vermont agency that hired the exterminator.

Neil and Patricia Whitney agreed last week to end their federal lawsuit against the state Department for Children and Families, the state Agency of Human Services and a number others.

The Whitneys' attorney, Karl Anderson tells the Rutland Herald the settlement will allow his clients "to start their life over with a little cushion."

The Whitneys maintain their home became unlivable after it was sprayed with a banned pesticide to kill bed bugs that was brought into their home by a ward of the state.

Assistant Attorney General Eve Jacobs-Carnahan says the state is admitting no wrongdoing.

Read the original post:
Vermont couple settles state bed bug lawsuit for $450k

From the Vermont Department of Health website:

Bed bugs are small insects that feed on human blood. They are usually active at night when people are sleeping.

Bed bugs bite but do not transmit disease. Bed bugs painlessly feed on their host, injecting a tiny amount of saliva in the process, which can result in mild to severe allergic reactions.

Many people do not react to bed bug bites, though the bite may leave a small welt. Excessive scratching of these bites is highly discouraged as it can lead to secondary infections.

Here are a few images that might help when looking for evidence in your own home. Remember that any evidence found in your home should be followed up by a certified K9 inspection or a licensed pest control operator.

CAST SKINS: Live bed bug (small darker figure at the top of the image) with larger cast skin.

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About Bed Bugs | Vermont Bed Bug Dog