It appears as though the tiny little rust coloured critter known as the Bed Bug has sky rocketed to the top of the charts. This little blood sucker is not only reeking havoc on homes, hotels and the like, but is giving pest control operators fits as well.
Rock Star Status….It seems that Bed Bugs appear in on the news or in print on a regular basis….just like a like a rock star.
What’s behind the recent fame of this age old critter?
Lots of little things that can are making Bed Bugs seem invincible.
Back in the 1930’s the Bed Bug was a very popular pest, plaguing homes and dwellings similar to the way they are today, actually even worse. Back then, it was not uncommon to need a seal of approval from your landlord stamped by a Pest Control company certifying you are “Bed Bug Free” so you could move.
Potential landlords wouldn’t take your application with out it.
Sleep Tight … Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite
Bed Bugs were everywhere. People tried everything, even placing the 4 legs of their beds in pots of oil to catch the bed bugs when they tried to crawl on the bed, even, soaking their sheets in pesticide baths.
Somewhere along the line, we managed to get control of them, whether it was from “maintenance spraying” or the use of DDT, the bed bug battle was won. But the war still simmered.
Deep in the recesses of third world countries these critters plotted their new battle. They slowly found their way from country to country and we helped them. Our need to “see the World” and the ease of travel brought us to the far away places where these critters were waiting. Now with no “maintenance spraying” and only a few feeble pesticides at our disposal they made their come back.
Like an aging rock band, Bed Bugs went on tour and covered the world again.
Now they are making Headlines again. At the top of the charts!
Bed Bugs: How do we cope?
Unfortunately, the problem to control Bed Bugs is two fold.
People want to take short cuts to rid themselves of them…Problem One!
For most pests, taking some short cuts for control isn’t recommended, but can sometimes still get you results.
However, with the Bed Bugs…there are no short cuts! Short cuts ensure your failure and their survival.
You must do all you can to help yourself and help your exterminator solve this problem.
Although sometimes seemingly overwhelming, recommendations and preparation sheets from your pest professional are there to help you. It is in your best interest to pay attention and follow the instructions.
Problem 2… Poorly trained/armed Exterminators!
Unfortunately many pest control companies don’t know how to deal with Bed Bugs. Many think if they go in and spray some chemical around…problem solved. Unfortunately, bed bugs are so hardy and resistant to chemicals that this approach has very little impact on the Bed Bugs. After all they are like Rock Stars…what’s a few chemicals in their system!
To be successful in Bed Bug Control the “New Exterminator” must take a different approach.
An approach that requires a lot of training, constant updating, and a multi faceted (integrated) approach to dealing with Bed Bugs.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
The phrase Integrated Pest Management (IPM) never rang truer. We need to know our enemy, know our customer and know the product s and tools we have at our disposal inside and out in order to have a chance at success.
We need to not only spray, but apply dusts, utilize steam treatments, vacuum treatments, and more. These are just the beginning; the pest professional must constantly evolve and add different approaches to combat these critters and the cooperation of the customer is paramount.
This age calls for a new breed of exterminator, highly and continually trained, armed with more then just a sprayer, communication skills and able to think on the fly. Only then can this latest battle be won and the BED BUG EPIDEMIC stopped.
