I guess I was simply trying to express that PCOs could not use all of the same chemicals in fighting bed bugs in schools that they could use in a home.

Is this incorrect?

If not, perhaps my phrasing was the problem. When I said the city’s PCO’s, I did not mean they were necessarily different people, but that the job site / employer was different.

I think everyone would be grateful for any clarification of the difference in treating bed bugs in schools vs. homes based on LL37, if you could clarify what you’ve seen in this regard.

Thanks!

First off a significant amount of city work is contracted out so it is often the same PCOs who treats both. As far as the materials they are all labeled for use in the areas they are to be used and most have restrictions in regard to keeping children out of the area during and immediately after applications. Schools have tighter restrictions because kids are always there during the day which is when most if not all the work is done. Additionally much of the chemical restrictions are based on political agendas and not on science. If the same criteria for double and triple margins of safety applied to medications, vaccines and modern medicine we would see an increase in illness and mortality. I think local law 37 which started as a pesticide reduction program has gone too far and will and has caused an increase in pest activity. In the future this maybe offset by increased Integrated Pest Management protocols but at the moment the crescendo of bed bug laughter is deafening …….

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And also why people should ask building management and ask private school admin about bed bugs… after all, we’re customers!

I would guess that it is even more of a problem in private schools, where parents are more likely to be globe-trotting and staying in hotels a lot. Also private schools are more likely to have upholstered furniture and rugs and such.