Community | April 15, 2009 | 35 comments

EPA to hold Emergency summit on Bed Bug outbreak in the U.S.

source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/apr/14/us-bed-bugs-environment-epa

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ClipsFC
America is facing a bed bug outbreak of explosive proportions - and the resistance of the blood suckers to commonly used pesticides means there is no magical cure, public health and pest control experts warned today.

Bed bug outbreaks in the US have tripled since 2005, a conference put on by the Environmental Protection Agency was told.

"It's become a trajectory. We are at the point similar to the Aids virus where everyone knows someone who has had bed bugs or have had it themselves," said Dini Miller, the urban pest management specialist for the state of Virginia.

"Right now we are kind of at a loss at what the best answer is," she said. "We didn't realise how tough they would be."

The EPA gathered experts in entomology and pest control as well as government officials to a two-day conference designed to chart a new strategy for dealing with a sudden and bewildering rise in bed bug infestations that has cut across class and region, affecting poor urban neighbourhoods and luxury resort hotels from New York City to Honolulu.

Bed bugs were once thought eliminated in the US. The conference - or summit as billed by the EPA - was told their return after nearly half a century was due to changes in pesticide use and increased resistance to pesticides by the bed bugs, as well as increased travel.
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35 comments // EPA to hold Emergency summit on Bed Bug outbreak in the U.S.

  • jubal
  • ClipsFC
    • 0
      ClipsFC  

    • Sure I understand PestPlus. I realize that it's people that bring the pests into the hotels. I was a victim of bites a year ago at a hotel I rather not mention here but the GM told me it's rampant and they try to stay on top of it even closing entire floors to be able to fumigate. I will check your video's. Thanks again.

    • 2 years ago
  • RaceBannon
    • 0
      RaceBannon  

    • the irony is we're supposed to look to companies like mosanto for the solution.

      Yea I thought we eliminated this stuff in the US, so I wanna take this time to shake my itchy fist at the rest of the world > : (

      I don't have them, but I have a mosquito stalking me lately...

    • 2 years ago
  • cybexg
    • 0
      cybexg  

    • Lovely, the costs of a weakened social net coupled w/ a weakened economy....

      oh, previous improper and over use of insecticides, etc.

    • 2 years ago
  • ajcowley
    • 0
      ajcowley  

    • A friend of mine had a run in with these guys at SXSW this year. He didn't figure it out until his fourth or fifth night at the hotel. He had to ditch everything in his suitcase when he got home, even his wallet.

    • 2 years ago
  • ClipsFC
    • 0
      ClipsFC  
    • ajcowley:

      Some hotels will actually reimburse you for the trouble and any damage you got while staying there to avoid bad publicity. It's a tough situation I am sure for a hotel that is not always in control over what some people may bring into the rooms. Sorry to hear about your friend.

    • 2 years ago
  • ClipsFC
    • 0
      ClipsFC  

    • Nice job man! We needed some good explanations. Thanks for the post. Speaking of, have you heard about the infestation in Atlantic City? ( I see you operate in NY/NJ) the hotels there have reported a huge increase which could hurt the already slumping revenues for AC Hotels/Casino's. I would hate for that to happen. It's a great family destination because of the Beaches, Boardwalk and attractions.

    • 2 years ago
  • Jacques_of_Spades
  • Eat_Disco
  • JSmith44
    • 0
      JSmith44  

    • Big problem. I have seen pictures of the bites and they are not pretty. Small children can actually die from infections from the bites. They really need to come up with a environmentally friendly chemical. Many people are allergic to the current treatments.

    • 2 years ago
  • dognose
    • 0
      dognose  

    • I bet the "space foam" mattress people are behind this. Let's see how long it takes for them to claim that their mattresses are "bed-bug proof".

    • 2 years ago
  • SHAWN_RITTIMAN
    • 0
      SHAWN_RITTIMAN  

    • It is bad enough all the bugs you can get by inviting someone into your bed! I am switching to a hammock! The gloved hand in the pick looks oddly like a flaccid wiener.

    • 2 years ago
  • think_free
  • CalgarC
  • sickinjersey
  • ClipsFC
  • animallovers018
    • 0
      animallovers018  

    • There is an epidemic right now. Bad problem in some areas. And they are difficult to get rid off. Professional exterminators are very expensive because they now realize how big the problem is. I am glad the EPA caught on finally.

    • 2 years ago
  • Melk
  • EllenCowell
  • azulagua
    • 0
      azulagua  
    • EllenCowell:

      PULEEZE tell me this is not a recent experience! I have just gone thru hell and back getting reservations there in May there...AND I am chemically sensitive. I don't even want to go there but have volunteered to help my daughter with the toddler...so she can have FUN! I sure seem to be having a run on bad luck...or maybe it's not just me.??????????

    • 2 years ago
  • JSmith44
    • 0
      JSmith44  
    • EllenCowell:

      Not sure about now. this was last october. Stay away from the top floors, they are all suites so unless you booked a huge suite on top you are ok. It's a big problem in my town as well.

    • 2 years ago
  • azulagua
  • Mikeysfake1
  • Mikeysfake1
  • sue4e3
    • 0
      sue4e3  

    • my kids had body lice once and the reason I bring it up is the regular stuff they sell in drug stores didn't work .Doctors didn't think much of it . but me and my kids had to get rid of clothes ,coats , bedding and clean the house with vinagar (took us a few months to figure out what they didn't like)makes me wonder if chemicals don't work what do bed bugs not like.someone needs to ask grandmom

    • 2 years ago
  • gh8643
  • lordsbassman
  • Cameleion1
    • 0
      Cameleion1  

    • yikes. I had them too we had a company come in and spray for 2 days. $285 and then throw out a lot of linen and bedding. They said don't even bother washing it they will still be alive. They are a mess to get rid of.

    • 2 years ago
  • hollowman218
    • 0
      hollowman218  

    • I had these little fuckers in my bed before. Woke up every day in a scratching fit. Had to get rid of my queen size mattress. (not before bombing my room with pesticides for 3 days. The smell of poison stayed for a month) Now I have to sleep on my twin size bed. Dont let the god damn bed bugs bite....

    • 2 years ago
  • gh8643
  • BenDorries
  • ClipsFC
    • 0
      ClipsFC  

    • Pesky things! Used to be limited to certain, shall we say, less clean homes. Now you can catch them at 5 Star Luxury Hotels.

    • 2 years ago
  • ras_menelik
  • lordsbassman
  • ClipsFC
    • 0
      ClipsFC  

    • These bugs are very hard to control. Spread through travel. Very resistant to pesticides. Check your mattresses regularly. Bug bites can be bad and easily get infected. Children are especially at risk for severe bug bites and related infections.

    • 2 years ago
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