Category Archives: Canada Bed Bugs

Canada's bed bug problem is worse than ever, as experts say the pesky little bloodsuckers are multiplying in record numbers in cities and smaller communities across the country.

Pest control experts say the frequency of bed bug reports has shot up 20 per cent since last year, as the blood-sucking, rapidly-reproducing insects have continued to spread. Mike Heimbach of Abell Pest Control says that increase has been a steady, "compounding growth" in the last six years. And it shows no sign of letting up.

"They've really got a good foothold in Canada and the United States, and we don't see that changing any time soon," Heimbach told CTV's Canada AM on Monday morning. He added that while the bugs were initially an urban problem, they've spread to rural and less-populated areas in recent years.

Heimbach also stressed that bed bug infestations have no link to socioeconomic status.

"Anyone can get bed bugs," he said. "The challenge that we see is that certain people can't afford to get rid of them."

A bed bug is about the size, shape and colour of an apple seed, three millimetres long and oval-shaped, with reddish-brown colouring. When found hiding in the seams of mattresses, the insects are visible to the naked eye. They only emerge to feed late at night. Their bite is similar to a mosquito bite, Heimbach said, leaving behind an itchy welt in the spot where they draw blood from the skin.

The insects spread by hitchhiking in bags and on clothes, but they can also be hiding in discarded furniture and electronics that people unwittingly bring into their homes.

Aside from the small, red bites, there are other identifiable signs of a bed bug infestation. Heimbach said a quick check of your mattress seams and headboard can reveal many telling signs, from leftover insect husks and little black droppings, to blood spots on the mattress.

"They know how to live unseen," Heimbach said. Spotting one of the bugs is, of course, another sign of infestation, he said.

"The key is to learn to identify them and to act quickly if you get them."

Attempting to get rid of bed bugs yourself with over-the-counter bed bug sprays can actually make the problem worse, Heimbach said, as the spray can agitate the insects and drive them to spread out, widening the infestation.

"You can't get rid of them," he said. "You have to call an exterminator."

Heimbach called it a "real skill" to stop a bed bug infestation, as it requires the use of special vacuums, steam, residual spray, and diatomaceous earth.

Peak bed bug season is typically between June and October, when weather is warmest and the insects reproduce fastest, Heimbach said. Bed bugs like to hide in bags and on clothing, making them easily transferrable and more likely to spread in the high-travel summer season.

Bed bug numbers have been steadily on the rise in recent years, going up by an estimated eight per cent annually, Heimbach said.

"The problem, I think, is growing," he said.

Ontario's bed bug information site offers tips for identifying and dealing with a bed bug infestation at home. The site also offers tips for avoiding a bed bug infestation in the first place.

It recommends keeping your home clean and vacuumed, and advises you seal all cracks and crevices in your house so no bugs can get in. Thoroughly inspect any used clothing you buy, and don't bring home discarded furniture or electronics, as they are prime hiding places for bed bugs.

When travelling, check the bed in your hotel room for blood spots and other signs of bed bugs. Also keep clothes in oversized sealable plastic bags to avoid picking up bed bug hitchhikers, and inspect your luggage before you leave.

And if you do find bed bugs at home, Heimbach has one bit of advice: call an expert.

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Bed bugs in Canada: Why this summer may be the worst ever ...

One of the federal buildings in Gatineau that was evacuated due to bedbugs on October 10, 2019. (Postmedia file photo)

Infestations of bedbugs in federal buildings in Ottawa and across the river in Gatineau, Que., have cost the Liberal government nearly $1 million during the last three years.

According to Blacklocks Reporter, exterminators were hired to inspect and fumigate 34 federal buildings and search dogs were used to inspect Canada Post headquarters, where 15 cubicles were sprayed on Nov. 30.

The final bill for extermination of the bedbugs, since 2017, was $575,523 but the figure does not include an additional $400,000 put up by Public Works Canada.

There is an urgency for the requirement considering the health and safety risks associated with the bedbug situation in the national capital area, federal bureaucrats wrote, according to Blacklocks. The bedbug situation in federal government buildings in the national capital area is unforeseeable as this is something that is not expected in an office setting.

Canada Post, the Canada Revenue Agency, Canadian Police College, Department of Fisheries, Department of Health, Department of Immigration, Department of Industry, Department of Public Works, Department of Transport, Library and Archives Canada and the National Printing Bureau were all hit by an infestation of bedbugs.

The Environmental Health Centre also used dogs to search for bedbugs on Nov. 8 after staff spotted bugs and furniture was destroyed. At the Department of Immigration, bedbugs forced the closure of the 11-storey office.

In the past, insecticides such as DDT helped to keep the bedbug population at bay with residues that continues working after the product was sprayed, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency wrote in its 2006 guide about bedbugs. Now with the increase in use of bait traps instead of broad spectrum sprays, specific pests such as ants and cockroaches are being targeted and bedbugs are no longer being eliminated.

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Bedbugs in federal buildings have cost Liberal government nearly $1 million - Windsor Star

A new list by pest control company Orkin says Oshawa has one of the biggest bed bug problems in the country.

Their 2019 list of the top bed bug cities in Canada has put Oshawa at number eight one of six Ontario cities to make the top 10.

Toronto took the top spot, with other urban centres like Winnipeg, Vancouver and Ottawa not far behind.

Whitby also made the top 25, coming in at number 20.

Branch Manager for Orkin Durham Region, Kevin Shanahan says bed bugs are travellers, so theyre common in large cities and urban areas.

He says there are things renters can look for that could tip them off about possible bedbugs issues.

If theres a lot of turnover in the building, if its a high-density location The higher the volume of people, the bigger the potential for bed bug problems, he said. Theyre hitchhikers, so a lot of multi-dwelling places have more problems (the individual homes).

Shanahan says hotels and motels are common sources of bed bugs and if youre not careful, you can bring them into your home.

He adds that the best practice is to take a look around any hotel room before you get settled.

You can look around the seams of the bed and you might see blood stains, said Shanahan. There could be fecal matter around the bed, which are pepper-like droppings. You could even possibly see a live bed bug, which is about the size of an appleseed.

Shanahan says the most common place he finds bed bugs is behind or near the beds headboard.

If youre worried about bringing bed bugs back from vacation, Shanahan suggests immediately putting all your clothes and towels in the dryer at a high, hot temperature.

Its also not a bad idea to leave your empty luggage in a garage or shed for a few days after you return.

He says another common origin of bed bugs is second-hand furniture.

He says he sees many infestations that are sparked by bugs inside furniture that was bought at a yard sale or picked from the trash (something Shanahan strongly discourages).

Read Orkins full list below:

1) Toronto, Ont.2) Winnipeg, Man.3) Vancouver, B.C.4) St. Johns, Nfld.5) Ottawa, Ont.6) Scarborough, Ont.7) Halifax, N.S.8) Oshawa, Ont.9) Sudbury, Ont.10) Hamilton, Ont.11) Windsor, Ont.12) Edmonton, Alta.13) Montreal, Que.14) North York, Ont.15) Moncton, N.B.16) Calgary, Alta.17) Mississauga, Ont.18) Etobicoke, Ont.19) Burnaby, B.C.20) Whitby, Ont.21) London, Ont.22) Saskatoon, Sask.23) Peterborough, Ont.24) Nepean, Ont.25) Dartmouth, N.S.

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Oshawa is the eighth-worst place in Canada for bed bugs, Whitby makes top 25: Orkin - durhamradionews.com

An annual ranking of top Canadian cities for bedbugs has been released and Vancouver has itched its way into third place.Mark van Manen / Vancouver Sun

An annual ranking of Canadian cities for bedbugs shows Vancouver has itched its way into third place.

On the 2019 list released by Orkin Canada, Vancouver is bested only by Toronto in first place and Winnipeg in second. St. Johns follows in fourth and Ottawa in fifth.

The only other B.C. city to make it to the top 25 is Burnaby, coming in at 19.

As in previous years rankings, larger cities and travel hot spots populated the top of the list, with bed bugs reported in both clean and dirty homes, and office buildings. According to the pest control experts, bed bugs were a rarely experienced irritant just 20 years ago, but have become a common problem in urban centres.

Signs of a bed bug infestation include tiny, dark coloured spots or stains or cast skins. The critters are often spotted in and around mattress tags or in seams, under seat cushions, behind headboards, creases of furniture, buckling wallpaper and carpets.

The ranking is based on the number of commercial and residential bed bug treatments carried out by the company between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2019.

1. Toronto2. Winnipeg3. Vancouver4. St. Johns5. Ottawa6. Scarborough7. Halifax8. Oshawa9. Sudbury10. Hamilton11. Windsor12. Edmonton13. Montreal14. North York15. Moncton16. Calgary17. Mississauga18. Etobicoke19. Burnaby20. Whitby21. London22. Saskatoon23. Peterborough24. Nepean25. Dartmouth

When travelling, dont put clothing or luggage on the bed, which allows the bugs, if present, to climb in.

Use metal luggage racks to keep suitcases off the carpet and away from walls or wooden furniture. (The bugs cant climb metal surfaces very well.)

Use plastic bags to pack clothing. This prevents the spread of bed bugs if they do happen to hitch a ride in your suitcase.

Its rare but bed bugs can thrive not just in hotels, but also on airplane and train seats, buses and rental cars.

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Vancouver ranked third most popular city for bed bugs in Canada in 2019 - Vancouver Sun

Although bed bugs dont pose any serious health concerns they do live and hide in the areas where we sleep. They are mostly found in bedding, mattresses, on headboards and in bed frames and box springs. Due to their size and nocturnal nature bed bugs can easily go undetected. Dark spots and small blood stains may indicate the presence of bed bugs. Bed bugs also give off a sweet musty odour and will often leave their eggs and molted skins near areas they have infested.Good housekeeping may not eliminate the problem.Even upscale hotels are not immune bed bugs can thrive in a spotlessly clean room. Bed Bug infestations are difficult to deal with, and success depends on the thoroughness of the preparation, treatment and the follow-up. One of the most important steps in effective bed bug control is the accurateidentification of bed bugs presencebefore starting any treatments. Home remedies, available in stores, are not very effective getting rid of a bed bug infestation. If you do choose to use an over-the-counter insecticide, make sure to read the label closely and follow directions. Your best course of action is to immediately contact your local Orkin Canada branch as we have extensive experience dealing with bed bugs.Pest control professionals administer the most effective treatments. It is advised that anyone with a suspected bed bug infestation contact their local expert to arrange an inspection and consultation.

There is no way to prevent bed bugs entirely; however, experts agree that early detection is the best way to prevent them from establishing themselves. A bed bug dog is your best tool for early detection. To prevent bed bug infestations you need to be vigilant in examining your surroundings. When returning from a trip, or a night out check both your clothing and luggage. If you think you may have a bed bug infestation, contact a pest control professional. This is not a pest that can be controlled with do-it-yourself measures.

Bed bugs are small, nocturnal and very difficult to detect. They are also very rugged insects and that can live for up to a year without feeding. They can hide in cracks and crevices and in hard to find spots and can withstand a temperature from almost freezing up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. All of these facts make treating bed bugs very difficult and should always be done by a professional pest control technician such as your local highly trained Orkin Canada Technician.

Short of inspecting your own or a guests luggage and belongings as they come in, there is no known way to completely prevent bed bugs from entering a property.And once they are inside, two bed bugs can lay up to ten eggs in one day. Thats why it is important to have any rooms with a bed bug problem treated immediately to prevent them from becoming a widespread infestation.

To address current infestations, Orkin Canada will provide an aggressive treatment strategy that includes a thorough inspection of areas of concern to locate harbourage sites, as well as treatment of both infested and potentially infested areas. Orkin Canada will also conduct a follow-up inspection to ensure that the treatment was effective.

The threat of bed bugs is always present but Orkin Canada is always ready. Armed with the best training in the industry plus over 100 years of experience and success Orkin professionals will provide training for your housekeeping and engineering staff on proactive bed bug measures. A favourite spot for bed bugs to hide is under the seams of box springs and mattresses. Orkin Canada will teach the housekeeping staff to inspect for bed bugs while servicing rooms and thus helping identifiybed bugs in hotels rooms.

An effective bed bug control strategy must start with an inspection. A highly trained pest control professional, such as your local Orkin Canada technician, would start with a thorough inspection of all known and suspected spots where bed bugs might be hiding. Bed bugs are not pests that can be effectively controlled by do-it-yourself means. If bed bugs are detected your pest control professional will develop a customized treatment and control strategy with you that depends on the size of the infestation.

Rising complaints about these unwelcome guests are leading to red faces at the reception desks of hotels and an increase in the number of help calls. Even though they dont pose a health threat, bed bugs, which live off human blood, can take a nasty bite out of a hotels reputation and business.

Orkin Canada recommends that you follow A.I.M. for the best results, when dealing with bed bug infestations.Assess the Situation:Your Orkin Canada Technician performs a thorough inspection of your home to locate any current bed bug infestations.Implement a customized treatment plan:Every bed bug problem is different; so is every treatment. Your Orkin Canada Technician is an expert on the entomology andlife cycle of bed bugsand uses the appropriate treatment to match the extent of your problem. To protect your family and pets, your technician uses integrated pest control methods safely applying products only when needed.Monitor Results:With our established Quality Assurance regimens we will document everything & follow-up. Bed bugs are extremely hardy. A return visit from your technician helps ensure the maximum effectiveness of your program. In addition, we offer protective mattress covers to help prevent future infestations.

If you suspect a bed bug problem, for best results, you should immediately contact a professional pest control company such as Orkin Canada and our highly trained technicians.

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How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs | Orkin Canada