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bed bug news for 2007-11-16

By Nobugsonme on Nov 15, 2007 in East Toronto, Paula Fletcher, Toronto City Council, bed bugs, bed bugs and health, canada, dust mite photo, dust mites, government, health, misinformation, ontario, public health, toronto, torontoist

Torontoist: BEDBUG EPIDEMIC! Not To Be Alarmist Or Anything.

Torontoist includes a picture of a dust mite in their article about Paula Fletcher’s move to have bed bugs declared a “health hazard” in Toronto (item viewed 11/15 at 11 am EST). This is precisely why we keep calling for a public education campaign.

(tags: dustmites dustmitephoto torontoist toronto media bedbugs bedbug nov2007 2007)
TheStar.com | GTA | Put bite on bedbugs, city urged

City Councillor Paula Fletcher is trying to get Toronto to class bed bugs as a health hazard: “I want the city’s public health department to look at are they as pernicious and … a very determined pest that we need to have special measures to remove.”

(tags: bedbugs health publichealth nov2007 toronto ontario canada paulafletcher 2007 thestar)

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6 Comment(s)

Anonymous | Nov 15, 2007 | Reply

Geez… a dust mite photo for a bed bug?!?
nobugsonme | Nov 16, 2007 | Reply

And it is not the first time, Anon!
Anonymous | Nov 16, 2007 | Reply

“A mild infestation can be dealt with by vacuuming and steam cleaning. People should launder clothing and bedding on a regular basis to fend them off.”

Are they kidding? Vacuuming and steam cleaning? If that was all it took to get rid of them, this blog wouldn’t exist.
Anonymous | Nov 16, 2007 | Reply

The media needs to be better informed to pass information along. Common errors: fumigation used for the word spraying. Cold can kill bed bugs.
parakeets | Nov 16, 2007 | Reply

Though I agree with the posters above, I am thrilled about several things–that

“Councillor and health board member Paula Fletcher wants health officials to look into including bedbugs as a “health hazard.” ”

and “wants the city’s pest-control regulations expanded to add bedbugs to a list that licensing officials deal with, which includes mice, termites and cockroaches.”

and

“Currently the bugs fall under the domain of Toronto Public Health, which considers them more of a nuisance than a health concern.”

Health hazard–yes! I myself have run into a health department that considers them more of a “nuisance” than a health concern. It is so frustrating. I am glad Paula Fletcher is speaking up in Toronto.

We need a Paula Fletcher in every city.
hopelessnomo | Nov 16, 2007 | Reply

Hey Keets, have you been following the Cincinnati story? Please check it out. We’re sort of awestruck with Cincinnati. Curious about your thoughts.