The most recent nationwide public health crisis has revolved around the discovery of bed bugs. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, these little critters are not known to transmit diseases but they come with many other challenges. Probably the most critical challenge comes from the use of pesticides to eliminate bed bugs from any indoor location. The EPA warns that many pesticides are intended for outdoor use, are highly toxic, and should never be used inside. Furthermore, using such a pesticide will most likely result in sickening you and your family…and not take a bite out of the bed bug problem.
Bed bugs seemingly resurfaced thanks to the increase in international and domestic travel coupled with the general population’s ignorance in keeping them at bay. A recent article in the Journal of Environmental Health reported that six different movie theatre companies found bed bugs in their facilities, and more schools, hospitals, hotels, and other public locations have reported infestations across the states. This infestation has caused the U.S. Government to declare the problem to be an epidemic. On the local front, there are no reports of bed bug infestations in any public location in Crawford County as well as immediate neighboring counties of Erie, Venango, Warren, and Mercer. According to the website bedbugreports.com, which provides an updated list of hotels and apartments and associated bed bug reports across the nation, the closest bed bug infestation was discovered at the end of January in Indiana County. In early February, another infestation was discovered in DuBois, located in Clearfield County. Several other infestations were discovered in the larger metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia at the end of 2010 and beginning of this year.
Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are very easy to spot. In addition, bed bug nymphs and eggs are also visible to the naked eye. Bed bugs are also not attracted to dirty areas; they are drawn toward warm spots…which are often hidden by clutter around the house. The EPA suggests that routine use of pesticides as a controlling method has created an increased resistance by bed bugs, which have learned to thrive under the exposure. However, there are methods to reduce the chances of bed bug infestations. Through common-sense practices, people can protect against the pest and live bug-free. The most beneficial method is to perform regular house cleaning, such as laundry, vacuuming, mopping, and spring cleaning. Removing clutter were bed bugs can thrive will prevent the critters from ever showing up in your home. In addition, when you travel, check all clothing for unwanted pests – or simply launder everything after a trip.
There are also non-chemical treatments that you can apply to help kill any bed bugs that might appear in your home – including washing and drying bedding at high temperatures (at least 113-degree Fahrenheit) for one hour. The higher the temperature, the shorter the time needed to kill the bugs at all stages of their life. In addition, very cold washings can also kill the bugs – below 0-degrees Fahrenheit for at least four days.
Although pesticides are undesirable, there are some safe chemicals approved for consumer use by the EPA. The EPA’s website includes a ‘bed-bug search tool’ that offers a means of finding the appropriate chemical to rid your area of bed bugs. The product to be used highly depends on the location of any infestation (i.e. mattresses, couches, carpets). This interactive tool is available at http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/bedbug/. In the event of an emergency, you are requested to phone Poison Control at 800-222-1222.
References
Bedbugreports.com. (2011). Latest bed bug reports. Retrieved February 17, 2011 from http://www.bedbugreports.com/state/pennsylvania.
Berg, R. (2010). Bed-bugs: The pesticide dilemma. Journal of Environmental Health, 72(10), 32-35.
Environmental Protection Agency. (2011). Bed bug information. Retrieved February 17, 2011 from http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/bedbugs/.
Environmental Protection Agency. (2011). EPA-registered bed bug products. Retrieved February 17, 2011 from http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/bedbug/.
No comments:
Post a Comment