Comments on: “Bombs don’t work on bed bugs.” Citation, anyone?

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:05:19 +0000

Hi Michael Deutsch,

I am not sure how your comment relates to the post above. If you’ve looked around the site at all, you will find we stress that bed bugs are best treated by a knowledgeable, experienced pest pro, one who knows bed bugs and how to kill them.

Sadly, we hear there are still many licensed and apparently experienced pest pros who do not do a diligent job with bed bugs.

By: Michael Deutsch M.S., BCE

Michael Deutsch M.S., BCE — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:05:14 +0000

AH…”A better life through chemistry” or “Why don’t you just spray something”? “Don’t you have anything stronger”? I have been in the structural pest management industry for almost 40 years. I am a board certified Entomologist and have a Master of Science degree in Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety from CUNY at Hunter College in NYC. I used to treat tugboats in NY harbor for bed bugs 35 years ago. I used an organophosphate insecticide concentrate mixed with deodorized kerosene. We soaked everything until it was dripping wet and the bed bugs were eliminated 1,2,3! Needless to say it’s a new era. I’ve seen the pest management industry “come of age”. From “spray and pray” to evolving into an industry with very talented, well educated, environmentally sensitive professionals who use science, technology and hard work to protect the public health. From the “bug man” to the “baseboard jockey” from “exterminating” to “pest control” to “integrated pest management”, to being “state certified” and becomming a “Pest Management Professional” this industry, over the past 35 years, has, and will continue to evolve. The industry and it’s dedicated professionals will continue to embrace all challenges and opportunities that may arrise. Structural pest management professionals are urban environmentalists. They are specialists who work within the urban ecosystem. Their training is highly specialized. It is focused on protecting the health and well being of people and the environment. Humans are living longer and enjoying a better life through advances in modern medicine, sanitation and yes, pest management. The pest management professional (PMP) is called upon to address challenges to public health. West Nile, Lyme Disease and Hanta Virus are serious public health issues that the PMP is actively addressing 24/7. The bed bug, after a 60 year absence, has returned. It is causing the public great concern. Although not associated with transmission of any known human pathogen, its habit of feeding exclusively on blood has created an unacceptable situation for many individuals. The mere mention of bed bugs makes many people very uncomfortable. PMPs have been on the frontline of this problem since it was first reported about 7 years ago. Clearly, there was much mis-information about this pest. The public and many in the medical profession, were caught unprepared. However, the PMPs were the first to mobilize. They sought advice and training from leading industry researchers. It was soon discovered that bed bugs were resistant to commonly used chemical insecticides. When this happened, the industry turned to alternative approaches such as vacuuming, steaming and freezing. Why did they think that these tactics would work? Because as trained professionals they understood the biology, behavior and habits of bed bugs and used this knowledge to affect elimination. In closing, let me say again that the professional pest management industry is constantly evolving to meet new challenges. We have come a long way since the days of the “bugman” and the “thrill of the kill”. I would like to think the public feels the same way but I’m not sure they do, yet.

By: “On the bed bug list” in Brooklyn

“On the bed bug list” in Brooklyn — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:39:06 +0000

[...] people really should not be bombingto try and eliminate bed bugs. Just [...]

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:34:45 +0000

I know of one product labeled in this way but I have heard advice that it is not recommended. I would not go this route. If you must self-treat, I would stay away from foggers.

By: dicar

dicar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:29:58 +0000

I was at Home Depot yesterday and a worker there recommended a fogger-type product. He says the container does list bed bugs. The product was completely sold out. I can’t remember the brand name, but I think it was a mainstream pest control brand.

When I explained that I had NEVER seen (online) ANYONE recommend a fogger for bed bugs, the worker and my husband suggested that my info was outdated. Has anyone used these over-the-counter foggers?

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:04:21 +0000

bugphobic,

It’s impossible for me to know what your PCO plans to do.

People often have their homes tented and treated with Vikane Gas (sulfuryl fluoride) or other gasses. It is pricey and can be very effective. This is NOT what we are warning people against.

I have not heard of it taking 3 treatments, so perhaps your PCO is using another kind of gas. If you find out what it is, you could ask about it in our forums, where there are PCOs who may be able to comment: http://bedbugger.com/forum/

We have been told by many PCOs that traditional bug bombs, foggers, etc. are a bad idea for bed bugs. They don’t work and can spread them.

By: bugphobic

bugphobic — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:20:06 +0000

For a dorm-type home with seven beds, 2000 Sq ft,
PCO wants to fumigate 3 times over 4 days, and tent the house for $2,880. But your info. says this is not the correct method, right?

By: bugged off

bugged off — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:30:30 +0000

Does anyone know if there are recent references about the hazards of using aerosols, ULVs, fogging? I need to find something recent (e.g. article, study, research) to prove to my neighbour’s pest control company that it’s bad and will reinfest our house!

By: nobugsonme

nobugsonme — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:11:54 +0000

I can't personally recommend such a mode of action. But you can read discussions of the moth ball idea here and here.

By: DigitalMan

DigitalMan — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:10:41 +0000

Thanks nobugsonme. I’m also trying out moth balls after the exterminator recommended them. So far it worked in less than a couple days in a small medicine bottle with 4 bed bugs. Hopefully a handful of moth balls in sealed garbage bags for a couple weeks will have the same effect.