News
News Updates Aug. 26, 2010
A Milford woman has put her dog to work to sniff out bed bugs around town. Addie the Beagle is known as the canine bed bug detective. She's trained and paid to find the creepy critters so people can get rid of them.
(bedbugk9.net)
Bed 
Oakland County based Bedbug K9 Detectives uses a
Maureen Abbott is the owner and explains how the dog gets the job done…”We’ll do a walk through the home, following a special search pattern, and when Addie detects a bed bug, she scratches. And that’s how I know there’s a bed bug. I have to watch her and she looks to me for guidance.”
Maureen says her company gets calls from other pest control companies who need her help to eradicate the bed bugs when their methods don’t work.
She says “Addie” is 97% accurate in locating bed bugs.
For more info click on www.bedbugk9.net.
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Detroit Tops National Bedbug List
A leading pest control company has released a list of the 15 most bedbug-infested cities, and
Detroit
My FOX Detroit.com Staff
The pest control company Terminix released Tuesday a list of the 15 most bedbug-infested cities, based on an analysis of call volume reporting bedbug infestations and of confirmed bedbug cases reported by sales professionals in 350 of the company's service centers.
The Big Apple topped the list, followed by Philly and
Bedbugs can be found in mattresses, furniture and clothing, and they feed off animal and human blood. Insect scientists say bedbugs are showing up on a scale not seen since before World War II, due to the rise in international travel and the elimination of certain chemicals once used to fight them. High-traffic areas such as hotels, airplanes, and cruise ships are especially prone to infestations.
Bedbugs have been found in the
In
Terminix recommends that travelers check headboards and mattresses for bedbugs and the dark blood spots they leave behind. Baggage should be stored far from the bed and clothing should be hung rather than placed in hotel drawers or left lying on hotel furniture.
After a trip, people should vacuum suitcases and wash clothes in hot water.
The EPA, which held a summit on the critters in April, warns consumers not to treat the problem on their own or use strong outdoor pesticides to get rid of bedbugs.
Other cities rounding out the list are
"It's the bedbug problems in cities like Dayton and Louisville that prove bedbugs are back and can pop up anywhere," said Paul Curtis, an entomologist. "The bedbug problems in these cities outpace markets of far greater size despite their having a fraction of the population and typically fewer travelers and hotels."
Copyright AP Modified, Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
http://www.freep.com/comments/article/20100820/FEATURES07/8200307/Around-the-metro-area-bedbugs-are-biting
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2010/08/20/dnt.wi.bed.bug.dogs.wtmj?hpt=T2
Bed Bugs Invade
State Launches
Everyday
Lindsay Kus FOX 17 News
It is a creepy crawly problem that is making a comeback in
These nocturnal insects are on the rise in our area.
Local exterminators are getting an overload of bed bug calls from hotels, condos, and apartments.
"Daily and multiple times a day and it's progressing at an alarming rate," said Jeff Spencer, Vice President of Griffin Pest Solutions based in
The state of
"We have actually been a lot of really bad situations with overrun infestation of insects.
The insects are hitchhikers that have to latch on to people or things and they love a good mattress to lay their eggs in.
Itchy yet?
"One of the reasons they are so problematic is the reproductive potential,"said Spencer.
The adult bugs lay one to five eggs a day that hatch in about a week and in six to eight weeks, those baby bugs start laying eggs too.
"So if you do the math you can see that the population can grow very very quickly and they are blood feeders," adds Spencer.
Bed bugs can live up to a year without feeding and are difficult to detect because they only come out at night.
The adults are about the size of an apple seed, but the eggs are almost impossible to see.
The bites look like a typical mosquito bite and only impact half of population.
Although the bites are not harmful and go away, an infestation is really difficult to get rid of.
"The problem with this insect pest is it's becoming resistant to most pesticides we use today," said Spencer.
In addition to chemical treatment, pest controls either have to freeze the critters or cook them at high temperatures.
Extreme heat will kill all stages of bed bug life cycle within 24 hours but you must get every single egg
"If you don't get them all its just going to rebound," said Spencer.
The practice is expensive but necessary.
Copyright © 2010, FOX 17 -
Michigan the
Local news main: Detroit | Oakland | Wayne | Macomb | Michigan |
Posted:
Bed bugs are public concern in
Michigan
ASSOCIATED PRESS
- State health officials have launched a website on bed bugs, in response to what they say is widespread public concern about the bloodsucking insects.
The Michigan Department of Community Health says the site for renters, homeowners, facility managers, and other. Government Agencies the Michigan Department of Community Health says the site for renters, homeowners, facility managers and other government agencies.
The site offers guidance on best practices for bed bug control.
It is the result of collaboration among the state departments of Public Health, Agriculture, and Labor and Economic Growth, as well as the Property Managers Association of Michigan, Michigan
Bed bugs hide in tight cracks on or near people's beds, and come out at night to bite.
The site offers guidance on best practices for bed bug control.
It is the result of collaboration among the state departments of Public Health, Agriculture, and Labor and Economic Growth, as well as the Property Managers Association of Michigan, Michigan
Bed bugs hide in tight cracks on or near people's beds, and come out at night to bite.
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MORE Local News Pontiac Mich.
Tenants Say Bed Bugs
Ruining Homes
Carriage Circle Apartments Being Fumigated
POSTED:
UPDATED:
Watch: Bed Bugs Crawling In Pontiac Apartments
Tenant Christy Friday said she has lived in the apartment for six years.
"Every time I see one, I collect them," Friday said, holding up a plastic bag with bugs inside. "At night you can feel them, you really can. They are so small and tiny but you can feel them."
Friday’s neighbor, Lorraine Carter, said she is tired of the tiny attacks on her body.
"I've gotten bitten on the face, I've got bitten on the arm," she said.
The tenants said the housing commission is not taking the issue seriously, even when there are children and infants with bites.
Franklin Hatchett, director of the housing commission, acknowledged the bugs but said he thinks something else is to blame.
"With most bed bug situations there's also a house keeping situation," he said.
The building has been fumigated and “bug bombed,” but Hatchett said tenants need to also do their part as well.
"We can fumigate all we want to, but if you still got clutter, if you still not taking care of the house keeping, you're going to continue to have the same problem over and over again," he said.
Friday and Carter said they are happy some steps are being taken, but that they are embarrassed to have visitors.
"Saturday my son came to visit with my grandson. He was sitting in the chair and one crawled up on his neck and bit him," Carter said. "Then, he had another one on his pants and he flicked it off."
Hatchett said tenants who have a problem with the bugs should come forward because the more the problem is documented; the more federal funding the building could receive to help fumigate.
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Check our Video on the Oakland Press!
See Below
“Addie” the beagle mix has a special talent — she is trained to find Bedbugs.
“You can see her sniffing and looking up at me for guidance,” said Maureen Abbott of Milford Township, Addie’s owner. “She only alerts on live Bedbugs and viable eggs.”
At one time, Addie was stuck in a shelter, waiting to be adopted.
While Maureen doesn’t know much else about Addie’s history, it was thanks to Maureen’s desire to work with dogs that led to the two of them coming together.
I saw a program on the National Geographic channel, about dogs that detected Bedbugs Maureen said. “It was just so fascinating to watch them in action with such purpose.” She thought it was a good opportunity to venture out and do something unique. A year later and hours of researching the idea, Maureen and her husband, Michael, contacted a Florida dog training facility that specializes in preparing dogs for jobs like sniffing out Bedbugs.
“We wanted a smaller dog so she could get into small places, Maureen said. “The training facility searched rescue shelters and looked for a few months for the type of dog they wanted and we waited until they found one.”
Addie trained was trained by J & K k9 Academy in Florida for five months.
Once she completed her portion of the training, the Abbotts met her in Florida for some training of their own. “It was like a boot camp,” Maureen said. “It was rigorous, very tough.”
Maureen and Mike said they both learned a lot about dogs, particularly how they look to people for guidance and leadership. They are looking at you and picking up on your vibes. They totally react to how you feel your emotions. They can tell if you’re upset, frustrated, and anxious or just not into it,” Maureen said.
Addie trains twice a day, every day — finding vials of live Bedbugs and eggs hidden in order to receive her meals. She is “Fantastic” Maureen said. “We just Love her. I tell her everyday how smart she is and she loves to prove me right .“
More News
Bed Bugs - Unwanted Summer Vacation Souvenirs
The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) issues a warning to millions of Americans who plan to travel this summer – beware of the bed bug. The NPMA has seen a 71 percent increase in bed bug infestations since 2001, mainly due to international travel. These “hitchhiking” pests can easily travel home with people in their suitcases. While bed bugs do not transmit diseases, their bites can become red, itchy welts.
“Travelers can unknowingly bring bed bugs into their homes, giving the pests a new place to live and feed,” said Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for NPMA. “Bed bugs multiply quickly and can be difficult to eliminate. We advise travelers to keep a few bed bug prevention tips in mind to avoid this most unwanted trip souvenir.”
A bed bug infestation is not a sign of unclean or unsanitary conditions. Bed bugs don’t discriminate and have been found in world class hotels and budget properties alike and wealthy neighborhoods as well as less affluent communities.
To prevent bed bug infestations, travelers should remember the following tips from NPMA:
- Pull back the hotel bed sheets and inspect the mattress seams, particularly the corners, for telltale brownish or reddish spots.
- Thoroughly inspect the entire room before unpacking. Do not put your luggage on the bed.
- If you change rooms, but choose to stay in the same establishment, be sure your new room is not adjacent to the possibly infested room.
- Use a large plastic bag to store your luggage.
- When you return home, inspect and vacuum your suitcases thoroughly before bringing them into the house.
- Wash all your clothes – whether worn or not - in hot water.
- If you suspect a bed bug infestation, contact a licensed pest professional.
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