NYC Bed Bug Registry Infestation Maps, Residential and Hotel

NYC nears top of the list for worst bed bug cities but once city was worse (again)  NBC New York

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NYC nears top of the list for worst bed bug cities but once city was worse (again) - NBC New York

Bed bugs are small insects that feed mainly on human blood. Bed bug infestations are increasingly common in New York City. Bed bugs can enter homes by latching onto used furniture, luggage and clothing, and by traveling along connecting pipes and wiring. Left untreated, bed bugs can spread quickly.

Property owners are required to address bed bug infestations promptly. The surest strategies to keep bed bugs from spreading are prevention, early detection, and rapid treatment. To learn more, see the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)Preventing and Getting Rid of Bedbugs Safelyguide.

Click a topic, or press the enter key on a topic, to reveal its answer.

Tenants should report the presence of bed bugs to the property owner. If the property owner does not address the condition, file a complaint online or call 311.

When calling 311 to make a bed bug complaint, the caller may be asked by the 311 operator about whether it would be acceptable for HPD to bring a dog trained to sniff out bed bugs to participate in an inspection (note that even if requested, the dog may not accompany an Inspector). Whether or not a dog is present during an inspection, an HPD Inspector will conduct a visual inspection. Violations will be issued if the Inspector is able to visually confirm the presence of live bed bugs.

Listen to this podcast to learn more about bed bug-sniffing dogs and when HPD brings them into homes to investigate a possible bed bug infestation in this podcast.

Property Owner Requirements

The Housing Maintenance Code and Health Code both require that property owners address infestations promptly.

The surest strategies to keep bed bugs from spreading are prevention, early detection, and rapid treatment. To learn more, see the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)Preventing and Getting Rid of Bedbugs Safelyguide.

Bed bug infestations usually require the services of well-trained, licensed pest management professionals, also called exterminators. New York State law requires that property owners hire only pest control professionals licensed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)to treat apartments for bed bugs. The pest control professional should perform an inspection to confirm the presence of bed bugs and to eliminate bed bugs, if necessary. Property owners are expected to make follow-up visits to ensure that there are no signs of a bed bug infestation.

Property owners of rental residential properties are now required to file a Bed Bug Annual Report. See the Bed Bug Annual Report Requirement section of this webpage for the additional requirements. Once the Bed Bug Annual Report has been filed, the property owner is required to either provide the filing receipt to each tenant (upon commencement of a new lease and with each lease renewal) OR post the filing receipt in a prominent location in the building. In addition, the property owner must either distribute to each tenant or post the DOHMHPreventing and Getting Rid of Bedbugs Safelyguide, which provides information on the prevention, detection, and removal of bedbugs.

Bed Bug Annual Report Requirement

Local Law 69 of 2017 requires that all multiple dwelling property owners must attempt to obtain the bed bug infestation history from the tenant or unit owner, including whether eradication measures were employed for a bedbug infestation.

Complete your Annual Bed Bug Report. Pursuant to the law, HPD will make the submitted information publicly available through HPDONLINE.

The online application will only allow validly registered property owners and managing agents of multiple dwellings to disclose bedbug infestation history. A buildings property registration must be current. If you have not registered your property, please do so by visitingProperty Registration.

Based on public feedback, HPD made a paper form available for property owners who are not able to file electronically due to lack of email or access to a computer. HPD is adopting rules that will clarify that only non-corporate owners, who generally own smaller buildings and may have less available resources for electronic submission, may submit paper reports, as well as clarifying that submission of paper bedbug reports by corporate owners will be rejected and the submission will be deemed noncompliant. Corporate owners, including corporations, LLCs, condominium corporations, cooperatives, and other corporate ownership types must use the electronic form as stated in section 27-2018.2

This adopted rule will make it easier for smaller property owners to file the required bedbug reports while ensuring that corporate property owners continue to meet the electronic filing requirements.

Property owners will be required to file annually between December 1and December 31 for the previous year from November 1 through October 31.

Property owners will be required to report the following information:

When submitting, the owner will certify that either:

Once the Bed Bug Annual Report has been filed, the property owner is required to either provide the filing receipt to each tenant (upon commencement of a new lease and with each lease renewal) OR post the filing receipt in a prominent location in the building. In addition, the property owner must either distribute to each tenant or post the DOHMH's Stop Bed Bugs Safelyguide, which provides information on the prevention, detection, and removal of bedbugs.

If you do not have access to a computer or email, you can file a report using the Bed Bug Annual Filing Form. Please follow all instructions carefully. The Form is also available in the following languages:

Please note that New York State law requires property owners to disclose bedbug infestation history dating back one year to new tenants through theBedbug Disclosure Form. For more information, visit theNYS Homes and Community Renewalwebsite.

Questions?See theBedbugs Annual Report FAQs.

Tenants should report the presence of bed bugs to the property owner. If the property owner does not address the condition, file a complaint online or call 311.

HPD provides a special service for the inspection of bedbugs: HPDs Canine Unit. The beagles are available to assist a team of Code Enforcement Inspectors who have been trained to work with them. The Canine Unit will respond to bedbug complaints where the 311 operator has confirmed that the tenant would like to have the inspection performed by a dog; although not every such complaint can be inspected by the Canine Unit. The dogs were trained at an accredited facility to alert by sitting when they detect live bedbugs or viable eggs. The findings are confirmed by visual inspection before a violation is issued.

If the HPD inspector finds bedbugs, the property owner is issued an HPD Notice of Violation (NOV) ordering that the condition be addressed. When a NOV is issued by HPD, the property owner also receives a DOHMH Order of the Commissioner. The Commissioners order provides property owners more detail on the requirements for addressing bedbugs, including:

Certification of HPD's NOV is the only required notification back to the City that the condition has been corrected as instructed. There is no response directly to the DOHMH. The HPD Certification of Correction requires a sworn statement that the above corrective actions have been taken, in compliance with the DOHMH Commissioners Order.For information about completing your certification documents for HPD, you can contact your Borough Service Center or certify online usingeCertification.

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Bedbugs - HPD - New York City

Workers at the New York City Starbucks Reserve Roastery in the Meatpacking District have been on strike since the beginning of last week against unsafe work conditions and the multi-billion dollar corporations refusal to bargain in good faith with the union for a first contract. The striking workers note how managers at one of Starbuckss flagship stores refuse to address work conditions that are proving to be health hazards: the store had a recent outbreak of bedbugs in the break room and there has been black mold in the ice machines for months.

Two workers who spoke with Left Voice under conditions of anonymity described how management instructed them to discard any ice with mold in it and carry on, without addressing the root of the problem. When the bedbug infestation happened, workers were asked to remove their belongings from the break room, but were not told why. It was only days later that they learnt of the bed bug infestation; the fumigation and cleaning for which, workers believe, were substandard.

One worker, Laura Garza, says, I myself have gotten sick from attempting to clean the mold from the ice machine without proper training, and the bed bugs were just the last straw for us. We cannot risk bringing that home.

Workers United, the union representative of the workers, filed an OSHA complaint against the facility as well as a national Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over the failure to bargain and listed the Roastery and 151 other locations where Starbucks has refused to begin bargaining.

Workers at this Starbucks Reserve Roastery many of who are young, queer, women were the first Starbucks shop in NYC to unionize, winning their union election on April 1 of this year. They are one of twelve Starbucks locations to have unionized in downstate New York, and one of seven in the city. Nationally, over 250 Starbucks stores have elected to unionize. With over a 100 workers at this location, this is one of the bigger shops to have unionized nationally.

Although it has been months since they won their elections, workers at the Roastery, like other unionized stores across the country, still dont have a first contract as Starbucks refuses to bargain in good faith with workers while continuing their union-busting practices. The company is facing over 300 unfair labor practice charges, and NLRB offices around the country have issued Starbucks over 35 official complaints, citing it for coercing, threatening, and firing employees over union activities and withholding wage increases and benefits from unionizing stores. Since the wave of unionization at the coffee giant began, Starbucks has fired over 100 workers who were organizing for a union.

Although the store has over 100 workers, not everyone is out on the picket lines, with many fearing retaliation from management. At the Roastery and every other store that has unionized or is seeking a path towards unionization, management has worked overtime to maintain an air of fear, often even depriving workers of knowledge of their rights and that they have a union. But, since the strike began at Roastery, workers have been picketing outside the facility every day, forcing it to close early the last few evenings. Workers at the picket also spoke about how management was bringing in scabs from the yet-to-open Empire State Building location to work at the store.

Workers at Starbucks make hundreds of dollars worth of beverages every hour, creating value far beyond what they are compensated for. The companys massive profits are a direct product of workers labor. For striking workers, it is essential to expand, mobilize, and use this power of the shop floor to fight not just for safe conditions, but against every injustice suffered under Starbuckss management and beyond.

Sou Mi is an activist based in New York City.

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The Bed Bugs Were the Last Straw for Us: Starbucks Workers at the NYC ...

The resources on this page can help you prevent bedbug infestations and safely control them when they occur.

Bedbugs can enter homes by latching on to used furniture, luggage, clothing and by traveling along connecting pipes and wiring.

Ask your landlord or building manager to seal any cracks and crevices to prevent bedbugs and other pests from entering the home. Never take in furniture found on the street. If you think you have been around bedbugs, immediately wash and dry your clothing for at least 30 minutes on high heat, or store them in a sealed plastic bag until you can wash them

Provide tenants with information on how to identify and prevent bedbugs. Help tenants if they cannot move furniture themselves or need help getting rid of clutter.

Encourage tenants to report bedbugs as soon as they think they have a problem. If an apartment is found to have bedbugs, notify and inspect all units that are across, above and below the infested one.

Hire a pest management professional to treat for bedbugs. Give advance notice to tenants of the planned use of pesticides. Be wary of companies that make unrealistic claims about controlling infestations with just one visit. Seek a company that provides a warranty as well as a follow up visit.

Inspect your units after vacancy. Make sure vacant units are thoroughly cleaned and free of pests before a new tenant moves in.

Tenants in New York City have the right to a bedbug-free environment. Bedbugs are specifically named in the list of insects that building owners are legally required to eradicate.

New York City lists bedbugs as a Class B violation. This means they are considered hazardous. The landlord has 30 days to correct this problem. The landlord must get rid of the infestation and keep the affected units from getting infested again.

Property owners must provide tenants with a written bedbug history notice (PDF). This should disclose any bedbug infestations that have occurred in their building in the past year.

You can file a bedbug complaint online or by calling 311.

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Bedbugs: Information for Tenants and Building Owners - NYC Health

Bedbugs are small insects that are common in New York City. Adult bedbugs have flat, brown oval bodies and are about the size of an apple seed. They are usually active at night and feed on blood in order to grow and reproduce.

Bedbugs do not cause or spread diseases, but their bites can lead to infections. Some people do not have a reaction to bites and may be unaware that bedbugs are in their home until they see them.

Bedbugs like to hide inside of mattresses, under the mattress seams, and especially in the cracks and crevices on the box springs. Other than beds, these bugs often hide in cracks in furniture, floors, walls and other areas near where people sleep or lounge.

If you spot bedbugs in a residence or public place, you can submit a bedbug complaint online or by calling 311.

Bed bug infestations can be safely controlled. You can wash clothes and, in most cases, treat furniture to get rid of bedbugs. You should only throw away furniture if there are no acceptable treatments that can rid them of bedbugs, or if advised to do so by a pest management professional.

The New York City area has more than a thousand pest control companies and thousands of licensed pest management professionals. To get rid of bedbugs, you need to be clear with companies about what you want done and monitor the service you get.

The chance of picking up bedbugs when you travel is low, but it is important to take simple precautions. Bedbugs can hitch a ride on clothing and luggage, especially in places where travelers sleep. They are rarely found in planes, trains and motor vehicles. If you have bedbugs at home and will be traveling, take precautions so you do not spread them to other places.

Bed bug data from the NYC Community Health Survey can be viewed on theEnvironmental Public Health and Sustainability Tracking Portal.

Originally posted here:
Bedbugs - NYC Health - New York City

If you have ever encountered bed bugs in your home or hotel room

You might be wondering how they got there.

They can quickly get into your luggage and travel back home with you, causing an infestation that can be a nightmare to deal with.

Every state has their problems, those of which can affect you as you travel from state to state.

So its natural to wonder

How do you know if the state youre in has a high rate of bed bug infestations?

How do I minimize the risk of encountering bed bugs?

What states have the lowest number of infestations?

In this article we will answer these questions and run through the list of the top bed bug infested states and cities.

On that note lets dive in.

Unfortunately, there have been reported bed bug cases in EVERY state in America.

Not a single state is immune to infestation.

For years now, the number of cases have been growing, with thousands of reported cases in 2019.

Though the problem isnt only affecting America.

In fact.

Bed bugs are not native to America, and they have spread to every continent nonetheless.

(except Antarctica)

Thats because they are avid hitchhikers.

Bed bugs tend to climb into peoples luggage or belongings, allowing them to quickly spread as people travel.

As transportation becomes more efficient, people are traveling more and more. This leads to bed bugs being spread faster than ever.

This is the reason bed bugs have made a major comeback in the 21st century.

That being said

Bed bugs dont discriminate. They dont care about state borders and cleanliness.

Theyre not attracted to dirt, so they can be anywhere Whether it be run down apartments or 5-star hotels.

These pests have been significantly multiplying over the past 3 decades.

In the early 20th century, bed bugs were a very common problem. But that was before we had all the pesticides that eradicated them

Or so we thought.

From about the 1950s all the way to the 1990s

There were very few cases of bed bugs in the US. The pesticides did the work, and we almost entirely forgot about the little critters.

But then they came back with a vengeance, utterly resistant to the chemicals that used to kill them, reproducing at a lightning-fast pace.

From about 2015 onwards, the number of bed bug cases have exploded.

The popular pest control company Orkin, has recently published reports on the worst states for bed bugs, as they do every year.

For 3 years in a row The number 1 Bed Bug State is.

Maryland.

Which continues to be one of the most bed bug infested states. Mostly thanks to cities like Baltimore and Washington D.C.

Indiana and Georgia originally werent in the top 10, but since 2019 infestations in these states have grown.

With Indianapolis and Atlanta holding the 9th and 10th spot, of bed bug infested cities respectively. .

Rounding out the top 5 we have Illinois and California. You can begin to see a trend here, whereas states with major cities are more infested.

(Due to population density)

To sum up here are the top 10 most bed bug infested states:

Here are the top 10 cities in the US with the most cases of bed bugs in 2020 (Source: Orkin)

To help you get a bigger picture of the spread of bed bugs across the United States

Here are some bed bug maps that are eye-opening.

Based on a bed bug infestation map published in 2016:

It shows that New York City had the most reported bed bug incidents at the time a staggering 4,490 reports.

Thats a massive difference from the figures of Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, which had 485, 446, and 403 reports, respectively.

You can see that the east coast is hit by far the hardest.

This is because the east coast is much denser than the rest of the country. There are also many popular tourist, and business travel destinations in these states.

This map also has powerful statistics about where bed bugs are found.

Here are the worst commercial areas for bed bug infestations. (2015 Survey):

For more recent insight, we also looked at a 2019 map of bed bug infestations.

Its almost as if youre looking at the same map.

And as you can see from the top 10 list above, things are not so different in 2020. The share of states being hit the hardest is consistent, the only difference is that the sheer number of cases have gone up everywhere.

You can see that some of the states have traded places, but the problem still exists everywhere.

If youre planning on moving to another city in the US or youre planning a vacation, you may not want to consider cities that have seen a jump in cases.

Here are the 10 cities with that have experienced significant growth in bed bug infestations.

For the first time, Toledo and Myrtle Beach made the top 50 list according to Orkin.

Though both Ohio and South Carolina have hard hit states for years.

As mentioned, the degree to which a state is infested has a lot to do with population density. Similar to infectious disease, bed bugs spread more when there is more person to person interaction.

Therefore, here are some of the states with the lowest numbers of bed bug infestations.

Though infestations in the above states is relatively less

Its still important to be cautious about bed bugs when traveling.

For example, If youre staying at a hotel you should properly inspect the hotel room for bed bugs before spending the night.

If you happen to encounter bed bugs anywhere across the US, be it your apartment or hotel, we can connect you with a lawyer to discuss your options.

If youve suffered bed bug bite injuries or experienced a bed bug infestation in your residence due to someone elses negligence

You may be able to file a lawsuit and potentially get financial compensation.

Keep in mind that our lawyers can only represent you on a pre-litigation basis only. That means we can only assess your situation to help you determine if you have a case.

If you do, a licensed attorney will fight for you to get compensation for your losses.

(for both your injuries and expenses)

Get in touch today for a Free Consultation. There are no fees unless you win your case.

Link:
Top 10 Worst States For Bed Bugs | Bed Bug Map Infographic [2021]

Dealing with a bed bug infestation is incredibly stressful and unnerving. Your home is supposed to be your sanctuary, and now its infested with uninvited visitors who bite. Although these critters are flat and tiny, they arent harmless. They will take over your home if left unaddressed and continue to feed on your blood at night. If you want to get rid of bed bugs for good, you need to be proactive about treatment and prevention. Ultimately, calling a pest control service in Barrie is the best way to eradicate an infestation. But, there are also some things you can do to effectively ban bed bugs from your home permanently.

You may not know you have bed bugs until theyve started feasting on you. Do you have bites anywhere on your body? Bed bug bites are usually raised, red bumps that follow a zigzag pattern. They can be itchy, develop blisters, or they may not feel like anything at all. Another sign of bed bugs is rust-coloured excrement spots on your bedding. This is actually from your blood after theyve bitten you and digested the blood.

In severe cases, bed bugs can give off a musky odour. If you notice a strange smell in your bedroom, or any other room, investigate for other signs of bed bugs. Many different types of pests will give off a scent, so be prepared for other infestation problems other than bed bugs.

Once youve found signs of bed bugs in your home, its time to get to work. Heat is an effective killer of bed bugs, so start washing your belongings in hot water. Bed bugs removal from clothes, bedding, towels, pet beds, and stuffed animals is crucial. Anything thats made from fabric should be put in the washing machine at high heat. Then, dry them in your dryer at the highest heat level possible.

For items you dont want to put in the washing machine, like shoes, you can still put them in the dryer for 30 minutes. Getting rid of an infestation could disrupt your daily life for a few days as you clean all your belongings.

What about the scene of the crime, your mattress? While bed bugs arent restricted to beds only, they are a common place to find them. Start by using a stiff brush to scrub at the seams of your mattress. This will make their eggs and shells come loose. Then, vacuum every side of the mattress top, bottom, and all sides.

Keep in mind, your vacuum could now be infested by the bugs and their eggs. When youre done with it, place it in a sealed plastic bag and put it outside the house. Leave it out there for a few days so that the bugs suffocate. Use a similar method on your mattress- place it in a tight bed bug-proof mattress case. Keep it sealed shut for at least one year.

Tiny cracks in the plaster of your walls are excellent hiding spots for bed bugs. They might build their nests in those cracks or in places with lifting wallpaper. Do a thorough inspection of your homes walls. Go from room to room, assessing the walls for damage and areas bed bugs could be hiding. Use wallpaper glue to seal down lifting edges or remove the paper altogether. Fill in all wall cracks, no matter how small, with plaster or caulk.

Theres a misconception that only filthy, poorly maintained homes get bed bugs. This isnt true. Even homes in affluent neighbourhoods with great housekeeping can still get infestations. Wherever clutter exists, so can bed bugs. So, do an intense decluttering of your home.

Dry, cool areas make perfect environments for bed bugs to breed. Go through the boxes under your bed and in your closet to get rid of what you dont need. Declutter books, magazines, clothes, and kitchen supplies. At the end of the process, you should know where every belonging is and when it was cleaned last.

What about the items that cant go in the washer or dryer, like tables and chairs? These items need to be sealed off in plastic cases. If bed bugs are hiding in their cracks or corners, sealing them for up to a year can kill them.

For some items, you might be better off simply getting rid of them. For example, thick lazy-boy chairs that you dont want to pay to get cleaned professionally. If you decide to put these items on the side of the road for pickup, make sure you label them as bed bugs or broken, so an unsuspecting neighbour doesnt assume theyre free pieces of furniture.

Steamers are a great tool for maintaining a bed bug-free home. The heat of the steam can kill bed bugs and their eggs. Take your steamer and slowly spray each room with it. Pay extra attention to the baseboards, closet shelves, window trim, and even the carpet. Make sure the steamer is set to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit and use a low setting for the airflow. Too much airflow might cause the bed bugs to scatter and, thus, survive.

All these DIY bed bugs pest control treatments can work, but they arent as effective as a professional services methods. Look for pest control services in Barrie that have many years of experience as well as plenty of good reviews.

Ask for their bed bugs control price. They should be thorough in their inspection and realistic on the outcomes of their service. Often, a second treatment is needed after the first to ensure the infestation is truly eradicated. To get rid of an infestation permanently, you need to stay on top of preventative measures.

Once youve booked a bed bugs control services, prepare your house for the visit. Remember that the treatment will be at least six hours, so make plans for your family and pets to be out of the home. Launder and seal all your belongings, including furniture. Dont move large furniture away from walls. Keep your bed, dresser, and couches where they usually are in your house.

Once your homes treatment is completed, be proactive about the future. Schedule regular inspections of your home with a reputable pest control company. Keep an eye out for signs of bed bugs in your home, and let the professionals take a deeper look. If you want to get rid of bed bugs permanently, then ongoing maintenance is key.

Mr. Pest Control has been providing pest control services in Barrie for over 20 years. Our experienced and highly trained technicians effectively remove bed bug infestations from homes and commercial settings.

Send us a message or call us for a quote today: (705) 739- 7378.

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Top Ten Tips For Getting Rid of Bed Bugs Permanently

Bed bugs are small, wingless, oval-shaped insects. As adults, theyre only about one-eighth of an inch long.

These bugs are found across the world and can survive in places between 46 degrees and 113 degrees Fahrenheit. They usually live close to where people sleep, generally within eight feet of a bed.

Bed bugs feed on blood. They dont spread disease but are a nuisance and their bites can be itchy and irritating.

Because they dont have wings, bed bugs move around by crawling. But in many cases, people carry bed bugs from place to place, often without realizing. But there are a few steps you can take to help prevent bed bugs and stop their spread.

Female bed bugs lay five to seven eggs per week. This adds up to over 250 eggs in a lifetime, with proper feeding.

The eggs take approximately 10 days to hatch. After hatching, bed bugs go through five nymph (youth) stages before they become adults. In between each stage, they shed (or molt) their exoskeleton. Bed bugs need to feed at least once before each time they molt, but they can feed up to once a day. It takes two to four months for bed bugs to become adults.

Bed bugs dont have wings, so they have to crawl to move around on their own. This means that in some cases, infestations will spread slowly. But they can move within walls, through floor and ceiling openings, and on pipes.

But most bed bugs spread from place to place when they get onto peoples clothes, linens, or furniture and into luggage. People will then move the bed bugs from place to place much quicker than the bed bugs could infest new areas on their own.

Bed bugs, unlike lice, dont travel directly on people and spread from person to person. But they can travel on peoples clothes. In this way, people can spread bed bugs to others, without even knowing it.

The best way to stop the spread of bed bugs is to regularly inspect for signs of an infestation. That way, you can take care of any bed bugs early, before they start to spread. Other ways to help stop the spread of bed bugs include:

To see if you have bed bugs, look for:

You may also realize you have bed bugs if you start to get bites. Bed bug bites are usually small, slightly swollen, and red. They may be itchy and can appear up to 14 days after being bitten. But different people have different levels of reaction to bed bug bites. You may have a large red welt or you may have no reaction.

You should see your doctor if you have:

Bed bug infestations can be very annoying. Although they dont spread disease, you can end up covered in itchy red bites. But you can take steps to prevent the spread of bed bugs, including inspecting your room regularly for signs of bed bugs, checking your luggage and clothing when you travel, and keeping your room free of piles of clothes in which they can hide.

Link:
How Bed Bugs Spread, and How to Prevent It - Healthline

If youve ever tried researching DIY solutions for bed bugs, youve probably come across mentions of diatomaceous earth. Its often touted as an effective and chemical-free way to quickly kill any bed bugs infesting your home.

But is it really effective as they say?

In this article, well talk about how effective diatomaceous earth is against bed bugs, when its appropriate to use, and how to use it properly.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is an off-white, powdery substance made from the ground-up fossilized remains of single-celled marine algae called diatoms.

These particles are extremely small, giving DE the appearance of a very fine powder similar to that of corn flour.

Under a microscope, however, DE is really composed of tiny, hollow cylinders with jagged, sharp edges in the places where theyre broken apart.This gives DE an abrasive and rough texture.

These sharp, microscopic edges make diatomaceous earth highly abrasive when it comes into contact with bed bugs and other insects, scraping and chafing away the waxy outer coating of their shells.

Diatomaceous earth kills bed bugs by acting as a desiccant.

The waxy coating that it abrades normally helps bed bugs keep moisture and nutrients inside their bodies. When the coating is perforated or damaged by DE powder, moisture escapes and causes the bed bugs to eventually dehydrate and die.

Diatomaceous earth should be handled with great caution due to its ability to cause skin irritation and respiratory issues if inhaled.

Before you try to use DE against your bed bug invaders, one extremely important thing to understand is the different types, or grades, of diatomaceous earth out there.

You should only ever use Food Grade diatomaceous earth for bed bug and other insect control. Never use Pool Grade or Garden Grade DE products in your home.

Diatomaceous earth is far from being a silver bullet when it comes to solving your bed bug troubles. But when used properly alongside other bed bug treatments, it can serve as an effective supplement for comprehensive bed bug control.

In a field study from the University of Kentucky, diatomaceous earth was tested as a standalone treatment in 6 real-world apartments infested by bed bugs. The DE was applied by professionals, albeit without the other usual bed bug control conventions (such as spraying, installing mattress encasements, laundering bedding, or disposing of infested furnishings).

The researchers found that only one apartment had a satisfactory outcome due to the DE treatment the other 5 apartments saw little to no change in the number of bed bugs and eventually had to be treated using conventional bed bug extermination methods.

This doesnt mean that DE isnt effective at killing bed bugs, though it just means that you shouldnt rely on DE as a standalone solution. It should be used in conjunction with other methods of bed bug control to help increase your chances of getting rid of these pests.

The main drawback of diatomaceous earth is that it requires bed bugs to come into direct contact with it. And not just for a moment prolonged contact is required in order for DE to be lethal.

When DE isnt applied in the right places, or in the right way, bed bugs simply walk right out of it.

Step 0 (Preparation): Wash your sheets and bedding in hot water and place any clothing and bedding you are not using in sealed plastic bags. Move all furniture away from the walls and make sure no part of your bed or bedsheets is touching the wall or floor. If youre using any liquid bed bug sprays, wait until all liquids have completely dried before applying diatomaceous earth.

Step 1: Identify areas where bed bugs are hiding, as well as any paths they can take to reach your bed. These are all potential areas where you may want to apply diatomaceous earth:

Step 2: While wearing gloves and a face mask, sprinkle Food Grade diatomaceous earth powder across your box spring, on the legs of your bed, and around nearby furniture. Use enough to cover the entire surface with a thin layer.

Step 3: Gently use a brush or duster to spread the diatomaceous earth out evenly across each surface. Avoid puffing it through squeeze-type bottle dispensers except when applying the powder into cracks and crevices that you cant brush.

Step 4: Repeat the steps above for spaces between the walls and baseboards, along window sills, and around the perimeter of each room where bed bugs are suspected.

Step 5: Pile up some diatomaceous earth to form a thick ring around your bed so that any bed bugs harboring outside must climb through it when they try to feed.

Step 6: Any diatomaceous earth applied to flooring should be cleaned up with a vacuum every seven days and then reapplied. It may take a total of four weeks or more to get rid of the majority of bed bugs.

Diatomaceous earth is a passive way to kill bed bugs. It often requires some time for results to show usually between 2 to 4 weeks, and sometimes longer.

Thats because bed bugs must come into direct contact with the powder for it to work. Individual bed bugs only need to go out and feed every 5 to 10 days, so youll have to wait for them to come out of hiding first.

Even then, they dont always die right away.

Depending on how long theyre in contact with the DE and how much of their waxy coating is perforated, the desiccation process can take a few days or more. In that time, bed bug nymphs can molt and form a brand new water-resistant outer layer to protect against the water loss.

Furthermore, any bed bug eggs in your home wont be affected by the application of DE until theyve hatched and are starting to feed a process that usually takes around 6 to 10 days.

Because of how long it takes to work, using diatomaceous earth yourself to kill bed bugs isnt an ideal solution. If youre looking for a faster and more reliable way to get rid of bed bugs in your home, using professional bed bug extermination services is your best option.

MMPC is an eco-friendly pest control company, named one of The Best Exterminators in New York by New York Magazine. We have over 25 years of professional pest control experience, specializing in canine bed bug inspections and eco-friendly bed bug treatment.

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How to Use Diatomaceous Earth to Kill Bed Bugs - MMPC

A common phrase is, Sleep tight. Dont let the bed bugs bite! But what are bed bugs and how do you get them? Bed bugs are oval-shaped insects that are about 5 millimeters long as adults. They come out at night and cant fly, though they can crawl very quickly.

Bed bugs feed on human blood which causes itchy bites. Outside of bites, signs you have bed bugs are live bugs themselves, shell casings, fecal spots, eggs, bloodstains on sheets and an unusual, musty odor, according to M&M Pest Control in Long Island City, New York.

Bed bugs can travel quickly and have an ability to latch onto furniture and other items. They can be brought into the home from places where people are dormant for periods of time, like bus seats, airplanesor theater cushions, etc. They can sneak into your home through purses and luggage as well.Once they are in the home, they can hide in bedroom furniture such as a mattress, box spring and bed frame.

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Here is how to get rid of bed bugs at home, according to WebMD.

Though these tips can stave off bed bugs, it is best to use chemicals to exterminate bed bugs. For the best results, WebMD suggests hiringan exterminator with experience dealing with the pests.

The Environmental Protection Agency has a detailed version of home remedies to get rid of bed bugs.

Although they can be annoying, bed bugs bites are not something to fret over. Theyre not contagious and dont carry diseases.

The Cleveland Clinic recommends treating them by washing gently with soap and water, then applying an anti-itch product to the bites (like hydrocortisone 1%). But, you shouldnt use it on your face.

If the bites itch, apply the product one to two times daily. If the itching is more persistent,your doctor might be able to prescribe you a stronger cream or advise you to take a different medication.

While scratching is tempting, the Cleveland Clinic also advises to not scratch your bites because it can cause skin tears or infections.

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Bed bugs cannot live in your hair.

According to ABC Home & Commercial Services, located in Central Florida, Texas and Oklahoma, bed bugs are attracted to bare skin and aremorelikely to bite you on your face or neck.

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How you get bed bugs? How they infest your home and what you can do. - USA TODAY