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Shelburne Free Press https://shelburnefreepress.ca/?p=6211 Export date: Wed Jul 3 11:41:19 2024 / +0000 GMT |
Health tip of the month: “Sleep tight! Don’t let the bedbugs bite!” We've heard the expression a million times and most people were probably fortunate enough to never have to think about it. In recent years, bed bugs have become epidemic in proportion. Major Canadian cities like Ottawa and Toronto which are hubs for internationally connected travel, education and tourism are finding the situation growing at such a pace, it's becoming difficult to imagine being rid of the problem. Dini Miller, a PhD in the Entomology Department at Virginia Tech, states on a website featuring her research, bed bugs originated in caves using bats as their hosts and with man's evolutionary desire for cave dwelling, bed bugs discovered new hosts. As man travelled, so did bed bugs. With its ability to remain dormant an entire year after feeding, it's no wander this pest is difficult to get rid of. According to James Murray, Sales and Marketing Manager at Hot Air Purification, a pest control company specializing in bed bug eradication, following the banning of the harmful chemical DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), which had been notably successful in reducing the bed bug population, the pest has not only thrived, it has increased 25times in the last three years alone. TIPS FOR RECYCLERS Murray, a former Ottawa University student himself knows firsthand how students and those who like to recycle can bring the bed bug situation upon themselves without even being aware they are doing it. Murray's advice, “I would tell people to deface all items and mattresses they throw out or write on the item that it had bed bugs. So many students, recyclers, second hand stores, see a chair or a couch on a curb and add it to their collection of salvaged items. People as whole can just let other people know there was a bed bug situation and that would make a big difference.” A quick tip Murray offers to those who can't afford to hire a canine detection unit when scrutinizing their apartment for bed bugs is to take a blow dryer and go around problematic areas such as baseboards. Heat will attract the bugs bringing them out into the open and simply catching one to show a landlord is a step towards proactively addressing the issue. Although bed bugs are not disease carrying insects necessarily, they are a serious health hazard for those who are allergic and mentally can take a frightening toll. Murray commented, “It just feels horrible from the renter or homeowner's perspective. They suffer embarrassment, they feel socially ostracised, they can't have people over, they worry and the expense of replacing many items is stressful”. While some rental properties insist tenants must be held responsible financially for the treatment of bed bugs, others are more than co-operative and eager to address the issue sooner than later. For the most part, rental properties have seen the beg bug crisis evolve into a financial nightmare, seeing costs for pest control treatment rise from $25,000 to around the $100,000 mark. Many management companies have discovered when an entire complex is reported to be 50%-90% infested, the cost is so high to treat the community situation, that many have simply sold or closed up shop. TREATMENT: SPRAYING VS HOT AIR PURIFICATION Murray points out that sprays do not kill the eggs of bed bugs which is the reason for a three week process of treatment where more spray is needed to treat the newly hatched eggs. Hot air purification kills the bugs in all stages including eggs during one heat treatment, generally proving to be more cost effective long term. Worth noting is the fact that bed bugs are evolving and becoming immune to some spray treatments on the market and home remedies generally do not work in Murray's opinion. While spraying is a very common method of treating bed bugs, spraying doesn't penetrate surfaces like beds, baseboards, couches. Murray explains Hot Air Purification brings the temperature of the affected areas to 145 degrees and eggs die at 125 degrees, making the hot air purification method completed in one treatment without harmful chemicals. “I've treated million dollar homes and half way houses. Anyone can get bed bugs from travelling, movie theatres, even buses. People need to be made aware. Hygiene is important and can definitely impact a person's ability to spot the problem sooner,” Murray advises and reminds that even the cleanest homes may not escape an infestation as many five star hotels can attest to and whether you choose spray or heat treatment, there is no guarantee a new bed bug won't find its way back into an apartment or house and the entire process can begin again. KNOW THE FACTS Be aware of the bedbug crisis and if you experience rashes during the night, or notice bug bites, be very proactive when handling an infestation situation and seek out a health care professional, report incidents of concern to rental agencies or landlords and contact a pest control company. Dini Miller, an Associate Professor at Virginia Tech in the Department of Entomology features a comprehensive look into the beg bug crisis and offers exploration of all the facts you need to know to make educated decisions. Visit the web page at http://www.ento.vt.edu/people/tenure/miller-dini/index.html For more information regarding Hot Air Purification, located at 15 Hemlock Crescent, RR2, Shanty Bay, ON, e-mail James Murray at james@hotairpurification.com or call 1-866-338-8556. Hot Air Purification serves Barrie, North York,Toronto and Area. Visit http://www.hotairpurification.com/ By Alex Sher By Alex Sher |
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Post date: 2014-02-19 15:11:05 Post date GMT: 2014-02-19 20:11:05 Post modified date: 2014-02-26 10:50:49 Post modified date GMT: 2014-02-26 15:50:49 |
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