The holiday season is closing in fast and folks are traveling to see us or we’re traveling to see them. The last thing you (or anyone else) needs is a bed bug problem. These nasty little creatures are experts in traveling and hiding so learn about your enemy. Stay vigilant when staying at hotels by inspecting bedding and mattresses. Inform hotel management if any (bed bug or not) issue is found. Inspect your luggage after you unpack.
If you find them upon your return the first thing is to identify if you really have bed bugs. They do have a tendency to look like other critters, so be sure. Once you have identified them, then you go to war. Now for the weapons! Way back when, DDT was the go to way to combat these little fellows until it was outlawed in 1972. Then we had the very effective Diazinon and Dursban as the prime weapons. The Feds took both of these products off the market in 2001. Now bed bugs are out of control and are without a doubt, the most challenging pest that we deal with. So if the good stuff is gone, what to fight them with? There are both all natural and synthetic products available. Diatomaceous earth (DE), cedar and orange oil are the effective all natural products. Synthetically, pyrethroid based insecticides seem to be the most effective. The synthetics are faster than the all-naturals but this fight still requires patience. We also sell a product here called Bug Outlaw. The Bug Outlaw is a bed bug “pitfall trap,” and an interceptive, non poisonous glue trap, as well as an all-purpose monitoring station for most types of pests. Whatever you choose, read and follow the label directions. For more information on ways to prevent or combat bed bugs, click here.
