Wed
Jul 28 2010
04:38 pm
NYC bed bug infestations
By: bizgrrl

Health officials and pest control specialists nationwide report surges in sightings, bites and complaints. The Environmental Protection Agency hosted its first-ever bedbug summit last year.

Approximately 400,000 people in NYC have reported a bed bug problem.

Travelers also need to be more vigilant, the city says.

"Everyone has got to get used to the idea that they have got to check for them periodically," Kass said. "People who travel should look at the rooms they're staying in. They should check their clothing. There are good preventive measures."

Okay, now I'm really grossed out. For those of you in the know, how do you avoid bringing bed bugs back with you after a visit to NYC?

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Hildegard's picture

I don't really know. But here's a story I'll never forget.

Submitted by Hildegard on Wed, 2010/07/28 - 9:05pm.

I think bed bugs travel on rodent hosts, and NY had a serious vermin problem a few years back. My sister and I stayed in an upscale boutique hotel uptown with sealed windows and all the modern amenities, when in the middle of the night we were awakened by the sound of something or somebody rustling in our shopping bags. I turned on my bedside lamp, and...hit...was...a...big...nasty...rat. Right there on the carpet.

rikki's picture

I think bed bugs travel on

Submitted by rikki on Wed, 2010/07/28 - 10:20pm.

I think bed bugs travel on rodent hosts

That's a reasonable assumption, but it's not usually the case. Bedbugs are associated more with birds and bats than rodents, and they don't live on their host like lice or fleas. They bite then crawl off to a hiding spot.

So the way to not bring them home with you is to not steal bedsheets or buy used frames or mattresses while in NYC. You also might want to keep your clothes away from the bed and avoid dusty, musty or seedy rooms. An older boutique hotel is probably about the line between "worry" and "not a worry."

Appfleurs's picture

NYC? Try home, sweet home.

Submitted by Appfleurs on Sun, 2010/08/01 - 10:43am.

I notice that the bedbug problem is characterized as a "there" problem, not a "here" problem. Can you say an epidemic here in River City? The downtown high-rise Summitt Tower has a pandemic of bed bugs. Weekly spraying is only holding these little critters at bay, but it is hardly solving the problem.

What is needed (in addition to the efforts to rid the building of these pests) is *enforcement* of the ordinance/law/whatever that prohibits the sale of used mattresses. Given the low-income status of the residents, they often purchase used mattresses at thrift stores and other venues. The prohibition of the sale of used mattresses was put in place many years ago when bed bugs were a problems.

Ya think we're going backward?

bizgrrl's picture

used mattresses at thrift

Submitted by bizgrrl on Sun, 2010/08/01 - 10:47am.

used mattresses at thrift stores and other venues

Interesting. Years ago, in Florida, we tried to give away a mattress to Goodwill. It had been used twice. They would not take it, said it was against the law.

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