Bed Bug Extermination and Treatment Costs

Bed bugs are the last thing you want to spend your hard-earned money on. Unfortunately for victims, the bills can add up pretty fast when trying to exterminate bed bugs. Here is a breakdown of the real cost of bed bugs.

Visual or Dog Inspection

When an exterminator comes to inspect, he might only come for 20 minutes but charge you for the full hour. Prior to his visit, make sure to clarify the rates and time needed for the full inspection. The average cost for a bed bug inspection from a pest control specialist can range from anywhere between $100 to $800 depending on the size on the building. Be ready to pay more for dog inspections.

Average Cost of Bed Bug Treatment

Prices for extermination range depending on the reputation, size of the company, and type of extermination. Heat treatment is usually more expensive than fumigation/spray, but gives you the peace of mind that there are no chemicals being sprayed in your home. Should you decide to have your home sprayed, expect to spend some time away to let the residue from the chemicals settle. The industry average for extermination can range from $0.50 to $2 per square foot, depending on the type of treatment. The least you will pay on average is $500. We've also seen companies charge based on the number of rooms. For example, the price of a full treatment for a 4-bedroom home – including steam treatment as necessary – can range between $799 and $2500.

Replacing Furniture, Linens, Mattresses, Carpets, Curtains, etc.

Mattresses, box springs, bed frames, couches, linens, and clothing are only some of your household goods that might need replacing, depending on the severity of your infestation. To avoid having to throw out your mattress, box spring, and pillows, use encasements to protect them – this way you will never have to throw out your mattress.

Medical Expenses from Bed Bug Bites

Are you familiar with the expression “time is money”? Well, this applies for us Canadians. We spend very little in medical expenses compared to the USA, but on the other hand we spend a lot of time waiting at the hospital.

Legal Fees from Lawsuits Filed by Customers, Guests, or Employees

Know your rights! Check out the “Bed bugs and the Canadian Law” page for more info.

Social Impact and Loss of Reputation Regarding the Quality and Sanitation of the Establishment or Your Home

When bed bugs invaded Nuns Island near Montreal, residents became labelled as bed bug carriers, whether you had bed bugs or not. As a result, some residents of Nuns Island were no longer being invited to social gatherings. This is just a small example of how bed bugs take a bite out of your reputation.

Being Added to the Online Bed Bug Registry for the Entire World to See

Whether you’re in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg, or Montreal, bed bug registry is there! No one wants to be found here.

You can reduce the financial burden of bed bugs by keeping your living area clean and clutter free, by installing various bed bug monitors and traps for early detection, and by protecting your mattress with bed bug mattress covers. We cannot emphasize this enough: too many people wait to take necessary precautions, which ultimately causes greater infestation and costs you more money. Bed bugs can take a real bite out of your wallet if you’re not careful.

The State of Bed Bugs in Toronto

It’s an annoyance at best and a health concern at worst – bed bugs in Toronto are a common problem.

While the presence of bed bugs in the area has fluctuated over the years, there are always concerns about a bed bug epidemic flaring up. These pests are an unsanitary, unsightly, and unhealthy threat to have to deal with.

Toronto residents and public health officials have worked to make it easier to identify these pests, and to fight back against the influx of bed bugs which have become common at some points in the area.

7 Bed Bug Myths You Must Know

Bed bugs are making a comeback across Canada and they're becoming a real problem in our communities. From anxiety, insomnia, depression to severe allergic reaction and conflict, bed bugs are wreaking havoc across the country. There are many contributing factors to this issue, and getting rid of bed bugs is extremely difficult. But, there’s hope. The first step with treating bed bugs is educating oneself about the myths surrounding bed bugs.

As the great author of THE ART OF WAR Sun Tzu said:

"If you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperilled in a hundred battles"

MYTH # 1: Bed bugs only nest in beds

Bed Bugs Toronto 2016 - How to Prevent

Best Bed Bug Interceptors: Review & Comparisons

If you’re at risk of bed bugs or already have bed bugs in your home, then bed bug interceptors are a must. Here at bedbugsos.ca, we preach the Integrated Pest Management approach (IPM) when it comes to bed bugs control, and a well-executed IPM system always includes bed bug interceptors.

For one, bed bug interceptors help in the early detection of bed bugs: remember, the earlier you can detect, the easier it is to eradicate! Bed bug interceptors also protect your bed from bed bugs living outside your mattress, box spring and bed frame.

Here’s a common scenario: Let’s say that you recently moved into your new apartment and signed a one-year lease. You’re excited to unpack, decorate and make this place your home. Your neighbour welcomes you, but discreetly warns you about the bed bug problems in the building.

How would you react?

I know for myself (in the past), panic would set in and I would immediately find ways to protect myself, my bed and any other item that could be contaminated with bed bugs, or at least protect myself against bed bug bites. One of the best ways (but not the only way) to protect yourself and your bed against bed bugs is to use bed bug interceptors. They help detect bed bugs and also prevent them from climbing into your bed and biting you at night.

How do bed bug interceptors work?

In order to better understand how these interceptors work and how they can provide protection, you must understand the physical capabilities of bed bugs, the most important being that bed bugs cannot fly or jump. 

With interceptors under the legs of your bed, and the bed at least 18 inches away from any wall, bed bugs have no choice but to climb up the interceptors and fall into the inner well where they cannot climb out, and therefore trapping them and preventing them from reaching a source of food – your blood. 

Where can I buy bed bug interceptors

At bedbugsos.ca, our goal is to provide you with the best bed bug products on the market and offer you a choice in the type of interceptor needed. That being said, here is a short review of each trap and how they compare with each other.

The ClimbUp Interceptor Original

When entomologist Susan McKnight, founder of ClimbUp, first started her company, her first product was the ClimbUp. The original ClimbUp bed bug interceptor was a huge success in the bed bug market and continues to dominate in its own field of bed bug interceptors. Many competitors have tried to replicate the ClimbUp, but only a few match its efficiency and ease of use.

The ClimbUp allows you to isolate the problem after a treatment or determine whether a treatment was successful or not. The ClimbUp is designed for chairs, beds, tables, sofas, clothing racks and anything with a leg.

The ClimbUp original fits round legs with a diameter no greater than 3 ¾ inches (9.5cm), or square legs or wheels/castors no greater than 2 ¾ inches (6.98 cm) wide.  

The ClimbUp Interceptor XL

As its name states, the ClimbUp XL is the largest interceptor that exists on the market. It has all the same properties as the original ClimbUp but is simply bigger to suit non-conventional legs. Many of our customers like to use them for their couches after the exterminator has passed or to simply protect their couch in a bed bug prone area. It can hold legs of up to 5 inches (12.7 cm) wide by 6 ¾ inches (17.1 cm) long.

The ClimbUp Interceptor HD

The ClimbUp HD is another one of Susan McKnight’s products and it’s most noticeable feature is its size and colour. This bed bug interceptor was designed for furniture with smaller legs, more precisely, for legs with a diameter no bigger than 2 ½ inches (6.35 cm). The ClimbUp HD is ideal for clothing racks, dressers, cribs and anything with small legs. The ClimbUp HD was also designed with discretion in mind. Its smaller size and black colour (if I can call black a colour) make this bed bug interceptor a little less obvious, and customers love the ClimbUp HD for this exact feature.

The LightsOut bed bug detector 

The LightsOut bed bug intercepting device was developed by leading bed bug expert and entomologist Jefferey White of BedBug Central. For those who are not familiar with BedBug Central, they are the leading experts in bed bug information, and Jeffrey White’s name is very well know across the entire bed bug industry, making LightsOut a tested and proven bed bug trap. It’s a robust intercepting device able to withstand a lot of weight. Since the device is black, it makes it more attractive to bed bugs and therefore highly effective, not to mention more appealing to the eye than other similar intercepting devices.LightsOut is able to hold legs with a diameter of 3 ¾ inches (9.5cm) wide.

Conclusion

When choosing your intercepting device, you must first and foremost consider the size – if it doesn’t fit, you can’t protect. It is important to remember that in any war against bed bugs, intercepting devices are essential, and when it comes to bed bugs you don’t want to mess around. Buy the right equipment and get it done right the first time. Interceptors are a small investment for peace of mind. Remember that intercepting devices can be installed before or after a bed bug treatment, and as long as you keep them clean and free of clutter, they can greatly increase your chances of making bed bugs a thing of the past.

Prevent, Monitor and Detect!

post updated 2017-12-03

Can bed bugs survive the winter?

During the winter months, many customers ask us if bed bugs can live through the winter. The answer to this question is a definitive yes! Bed bugs can and will survive through the winter months as long as they have a blood meal. Bed bugs will remain alive during the winter months because most of their feeding activities happen indoors in heated areas, therefore they will have no problem reproducing and causing a bigger infestation. You definitely shouldn’t count on the winter months to get rid of bed bugs.

Can You Freeze Bed Bugs Using the Cold Weather or the Freezer?

A study at the University of Minnesota found that bed bugs have survived short-term exposure to freezing temperatures of -25°C, but if left in cold temperatures for longer periods, the cold can be effective for killing bed bugs. In this case, your freezer can become a very useful tool during a bed bug infestation for items that fit inside your freezer.

A little side note: When we had bed bugs, we bed bug proofed our whole apartment and any item that could potentially have bed bugs was placed in the freezer. If you use your freezer to decontaminate potential bed bug infested items, here are the rules to follow for an effective extermination:

• Items should be put in plastic bags
• Place item in freezer at -18°C (average freezer temperature) for a minimum of 4 days
• Use a remote thermometer (if you do not have access to a remote thermometer, add another day to the treatment to be safe)

Following these three steps will ensure that any bed bug or bed bug eggs living in the contaminated item will be frozen to death. The remote thermometer ensures that the centre of the item has reached temperatures of -18°C or more. Only when the centre has reached -18°C or more do you start counting the 4 days. Bagging the contents in plastic bags prevents any bed bugs from escaping and contaminating other items and protects the contents against changes in condensation or damage caused by moisture.

So what can be frozen? Most dry household items, in fact. For the most part, you will want to freeze clothing that has been unprotected, books, shoes, pictures, toys, etc. What should not be frozen? Anything that has considerable value, such as historical artefacts, electronics with LCD panels, items containing liquids, or any items that cannot be replaced.

Some people ask if they can leave items out in the cold during the winter months. If you want to be absolutely certain that there are no more bed bugs in the item, the answer is no. Keeping items outside in the cold is not the best solution to getting rid of bed bugs by freezing since there are fluctuations in the weather throughout the day. Some parts of the day the sun heats up the surrounding area and the item will no longer be subject to continuous -18°C weather. Consistent and continuous freezing temperatures are essential to kill bed bugs. However, although not proven, keeping your items outside in the cold may deter bed bugs from staying in that item or may even kill if left outside in continuous -18°C weather for more than 4 days.

What Can I Do Against Bed Bugs During the Winter?

As mentioned earlier, bed bugs can die in the cold when exposed to continuous cold periods, so as Canadians we have the “luxury” of having access to cold spells during the winter months, i.e. an entire week where we expect weather of -20°C or lower. In this case you could put items in plastic bags and leave them outside in a shaded area for the entire week. Although no one has tested this method, by using logic we could reduce our risk of bed bug reproduction and kill most using the cold.

Following this technique, we would highly recommend using bed bug detection devices such as the bed bug surge detector, which informs you whether the cold treatment has worked. The surge bed bug detector provides 90 days of continuous active bed bug detection and can be refilled for an additional 90 days.

For example, if you were to put your bed frame outside for a week during -20°C weather and bring it back in, you could use the bed bug surge detector to draw out any remaining bed bugs. You could even add a layer of protection and place bed bug interceptors underneath the legs of the bed to prevent any bed bugs still hiding inside your home from contaminating your mattress.

Another solution to kill bed bugs can be to use heat instead of cold. Heat kills 100% of bed bugs. The ZappBug Oven 2 is one of our most popular heaters, but we also have different models depending on your budget.

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any other questions.

 updated 2018-02-01

Bed bug CO2 traps - Why use them

So you think you have bed bugs, you’ve done a little research on them, and you’ve quickly realized that these pests are incredibly hard to exterminate and very difficult to detect. Yes, this is true. Speak with anyone who has had or has bed bugs and I guarantee they will tell you that the most horrifying part about bed bugs is the fact that they are so difficult to exterminate. I doubt it’s because they suck your blood, mosquitos suck your blood and we live with them… It’s the fear of fighting a never ending war. There’s hope though…

Bed bugs are not like other pests and therefore should not be treated like the other pests. This is why there exists an array of products to help people in their fight against them. Bed bugs require continuous monitoring and detection in order to fully exterminate them and this is why it is important to protect yourself using certain products. In this blog post, we will look at 3 reasons to use bed bug CO2 traps and how they can help you win the war.

1 - Signs of bed bugs

Bed bugs are notoriously hard to identify due to their size especially at the early stages of development. Bed bugs can be almost translucent at the early stages until they start sucking your blood. For that reason CO2 bed bug traps are great to lure them in so you can confirm that bed bugs are actually present in your home. Once you’ve trapped the bed bug you can easily bring it to your local pest control professional or consult pictures online. There’s alot of content online pertaining to signs of bed bugs, but there’s nothing as efficient as an actual bed bug. CO2 traps can greatly increase your chances of detection and help you detect sooner than later.

2 - Active Lure

Ever wonder what attracts bed bugs to you? Basically bed bugs are attracted by the heat of your body and the CO2 when you emit. A CO2 bed bug trap will actively lure bed bugs meaning that it mimics your body at rest by generating sustained Carbon Dioxide and heat to trick the bed bugs into thinking there is a live body. A study from Rutgers University showed that BeapCo’s CO2 trap lured bed bugs within 30 minutes of being installed. Such traps can be placed on and around the bed or can be placed on the couch to make sure there are no bed bugs nesting inside the couch.

3 - Easy to Use & and Gauges Effectiveness

It does not require the help of a pest control professional to help you set up a CO2 trap, this only takes a couple of minutes to set up and your active bed bug trap is ready. It’s safe to use and doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals which could harm a family member or pet. In addition, it helps victims who pay for an extermination to gauge the effectiveness of any bed bug treatment.

There is one reality about bed bugs that we cannot avoid; they are horrible and a pain to exterminate. It takes a lot of effort, time and patience to eradicate bed bugs, but with the right tools you can greatly reduce the amount of time you spend worrying and stressing about bed bugs. A CO2 bed bug trap is an essential tool for any level of bed bug infestation.

Check out our ultimate CO2 bed bug trap kit for safe and effective detection.

Should you have any questions, please to not hesitate to send us an email or give us a call.

Bed Bugs and Back to School; How to Prevent

How to prevent bed bugs at School

It’s that time of year again were kids across Canada are going back to school. Already this is a hectic time of year for the parents when you must gather all the school supplies, motivate your child to get out of bed and get back into the beat of being in school. I hate to add another stress to the ''back to school'' frenzy, but I have some bad news; bed bugs.

Bed bugs on the rise

Every year we hear about bed bugs in schools across Canada, and the problem continues to haunt teachers and school administration since bed bug infestations can be costly and disturb the learning environment. With increasing reports every year from schools, comes an increase in chances that your child will be in contact with bed bugs throughout the school year. That being said, be aware that the risk exists, and the risks are growing each year. Schools are an ideal place for bed bugs to hitch a ride and install themselves in a new, bed bug free home.

How do bed bugs travel home?

One might ask ‘’How can my kids bring bed bugs home?’’. It’s a legit question; even entomologist cannot explain the exact reason why bed bugs have resurged over the past decade. Some say it's the ban on DDT (a pesticide with adverse health effects on humans), others believe it the increase in travel. In any case, what we do know is that bed bugs are master hitchhikers which means that bed bugs could be brought home in many ways;

• On the students themselves, i.e. in hair or other areas of the body
• From their clothes
• On their backpacks
• In their books
• From their friends who come over after school
• In their shoes and
• From their dorm room you visited last week
• Etc..

Essentially bed bugs can come from anywhere. In order to prevent an infestation in your home, it is important to check your children for bed bugs regularly.

How to check for bed bugs

Checking your little student every day when he or she comes back from school is a little difficult and time consuming. Already you’ve got to get your child organized for homework, prepare supper and get them to bed, you don’t want to make this process any longer. So here are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of bedbugs contaminating your home. Some of these tips are derived from those of Jeff White at BedBugCentral.com

For children in grade school

Find yourself a couple of plastic storage bins with high smooth sides. When your child comes home from school, have them put all their contents inside these bins, i.e. backpacks, lunch box, coats and other clothing. The smooth sides make it difficult for bed bugs to climb up and will trap them inside the plastic bin. Add another layer of prevention by putting a bed bug lure at the bottom of the bin, a Buggy Beds bed bug trap are a great tool for this since they require little to no maintenance, are non-toxic and will lure bed bugs out of the contents inside the bin and into the trap.

Should there be a bed bug scare at school, once your children get home place all their clothing in dissolvable laundry bags to avoid spreading bed bugs in your car or home.

For college students

For those living away from home, it is very important that before your child (young adult) settles in their new dwelling for the year, to check for bed bugs. This means checking behind the head board, between the mattress and frame, mattress and box spring, side table, around desk and any other nook and cranny where bed bugs could hide. It’s a good idea to encase the mattress as it will make inspection much easier and protect the mattress (in the case where your child brought a mattress from home). Buggy Beds bed bug traps are also great to detect bed bugs, they are place in and around the bed and checked regularly.

Bed bug education

Another valuable tool for bed bug detection is education. Show them pictures of bed bugs; tell them where to look and how to react in the case where they find a bed bug on them. Do not be shy to talk to your children about bed bugs, too many people are afraid of the social stigma related to bed bugs, but the worst thing you can do when it comes to bed bugs is not talk about it. Spread the word, inform and educate.

How to treat bed bugs if they’re in your home

If you think you have bed bugs at home, act fast. We have everything you need to protect yourself against bed bugs. Start with a mattress encasement, this will contain any bed bug living inside your mattress and stop any new bed bug from setting up shop inside. Our mattress covers all have the patented Protect-A-Bed zipper which stops bed bugs at all stages of development. Then add interceptors to your bed, this will stop bed bugs from climbing up into your bed, and any trying to escape will be trapped. These are only the basics to treat bed bugs, sprays and other bed bug traps must be used along with cleaning regularly and constant monitoring. Everything is available at bedbugsos.ca

Remember that prevention is essential when a risk of bed bugs is present. Schools are easy spreading grounds for bed bugs and the costs of exterminating is much higher than the cost of prevention. Take the time, educate your children and set up prevention measures to protect you and your loved ones.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send us an e-mail at info@bedbugsos.ca

Bed bug proof mattress encasements: When and Why?

As you may already know, bed bugs are everywhere. They don’t care whether you live in the nicest, most expensive home in your neighborhood or if your place is clean or dirty, if there’s a host with blood, bed bugs will seek and destroy your life (slight exaggeration, terrible nonetheless). That being said, almost everyone is prone to a bed bug infestation in today’s world, and the problems associated are very high. For one, the psychological turmoil created by bed bugs drive some people literally crazy, and I guarantee that if you’ve had bed bugs once before, any stain or piece of lint on your bed or sheets will instantly increase our heart rate with the fear of it possibly being a bed bug. Another problem is the financial burden when bed bugs are detected, and let’s be honest; no one wants to spend a dime on a bloody bed bug (no pun intended). However, it happens, and when it does, the first thing you consider throwing out is your bed; expense number 1. Replacing a bed can cost anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to couple thousand depending on the size of the bed and whether you replace the frame or not. Having said that, there is a way of protecting your mattress whether you have bed bugs or not, and you can do that by encasing your mattress with a bed bug proof mattress encasement.

Why use a bed bug proof mattress encasement at all times?

Let me draw 2 scenarios, one with bed bugs and the other without bed bugs.

Without bed bugs

So your bed bug free and you’ve never worried or even have it cross your mind (except serenating ‘’sleep tight don’t let the bed bugs bite’’ to your kids). Your bed is your safe haven, a place to recharge and some will spend alot of money to make sure they have a good night sleep, but what happens if you get bed bugs. Like all other people you will have 1 of 2 choices, either encase your infested mattress or throw it out. Problem here is that once you encase your mattress, the bed bugs remain trapped inside and you can no longer take off the bed bug proof mattress cover in case bed bugs escape. Wouldn’t you agree that protecting your mattress from bed bugs before an infestation a better idea? By doing so, whenever you decide to move, you can remove the encasement and still keep your mattress rather than throwing it out. This way you don’t spend another couple thousand on a new bed. It is also good to note that our bed bug mattress encasements are waterproof and have an allergen and dust mite barrier.

With bed bugs

Well, I hate to break it to you, but a bed bug mattress encasement is a must! Even the most experienced pest control professional will have a hard time pin pointing the exact location of bed bugs, especially if they are living inside your box spring, mattress or pillows. If the mattress is not encased, bed bugs could be nesting inside and grow their family and continue sucking on your blood at an exponential rate. There is no secret here, when bed bugs are present, protect your mattress!

So to sum it up in a simpler way, whether you have bed bugs or not, protect your mattress!

Visit our bed bug proof mattress encasement page for a wide selection of bed bug proof mattress, box spring and pillow covers

3 ways stop bed bug bites with bed bug traps

So you have bed bugs and you might try to wake up at night and try to catch them sucking your blood, but you see nothing. Or you put the legs of your bed in buckets of water or in an old Campbell’s soup can filled with Vaseline only to have the legs of your bed rusted, waterlogged or covered in Vaseline, not pleasant to say the least. There are many DIY bed bug solutions out there but their effectiveness is doubtful and can leave you with more problems and higher costs once you remove them. In the cases when bed bug infestations are small, it’s hard to detect bed bugs on the mattress or in the bed frame. Sometimes they will go outside the bed to nest which makes detection much harder. Since the boom of bed bugs, many products have been invented to help us detect bed bugs at the earliest stages and even protect us from bed bug bites. Here are 3 traps available on our site to help your battle against the pesky bed bug.

BuggyBeds Bed bug glue trap

Some might have seen the BuggyBeds bed bug traps on Shark Tank where they made history by having all five Sharks invest in the bed bug trap. BuggyBeds is a passive bed bug trap that is placed between your mattress and box spring or between you mattress and bed frame (if you don’t have a box spring) which contains pheromones that attract the bed bugs into the glue trap. The pheromones have this sweet smell to them, and oddly enough that smell resembles that of the bed bug nest. Once installed, you must regularly check if bed bugs are trapped inside. These are ideal for students in dorms and kids at summer camp or simple regular maintenance and check ups of bed bug. The beauty about this trap is that they cannot be seen unless you lift the mattress, so your guests can't tell you checking for bed bugs.

BeapCo’s Active Bed Bug Trap

This bed bug trap actively attracts bed bug with its innovative CO2 generator and heat to mimic the human body when in bed. Bed bugs are able to find hosts for their blood meal by following heat and CO2 emissions. In this case, the trap can be placed near the foot of the bed, on the bed, couch etc…and once a bed bug approaches the trap, is will climb up the outer rubberized rim and fall into the glue trap. The trap has been tested and proven at Rutgers University Entomology Department. Within 30 minutes of testing bed bugs were successfully trapped. Make sure when it’s activated to keep the room as dark as possible. This is an easy to use, cost effective solution for bed bug detection.

ClimbUp Bed Bug Interceptor

By far the most popular, the ClimbUp bed bug interceptor acts as a trap and a protector for your bed. A protector when the ClimbUp is placed under the legs of your bed and a trap because any bed bug that fall into the well will not be able to climb back out. The bed bug ClimbUp interceptor, once combined with mattress encasements and thorough extermination of the bed frame, will protect you and your bed from any outside bed bug from entering your bed. Considering bed bugs cannot jump or fly, this tool is perfect to protect you and your family. It is important to keep your bed away from the wall and eliminate any clutter. The ClimbUp has been tested at Rutgers University for its efficiency which resulted in a very high success rate. One case study from a housing complex of 223 units demonstrated the traps effectiveness where 4 bed bug cases where identified by residents, within 10 days, 64 units where armed with the ClimbUp interceptor and after 2 weeks, the ClimbUp interceptor detected 26 infestations which were missed by visual inspections.

To sum it all up, these bed bug traps allow an inexperienced bed bug victim to detect bed bugs without any formal training. They also measure low level infestations and are extremely economical vs. other detection methods such as local exterminators and dog detection services with are easily in the hundreds of dollars. Don't wait till it gets worse, act now and protect yourself with traps.

Bed bugs Canada travel – Luxury horror story

So you think because you spent lots of money on your 5-star hotel/vacation package you’re free from dirty bedrooms, bad service and etc… Don’t be fooled. Bed bugs are everywhere and they don’t care whether the hotel has a 3 star or 5 star rating, and as long as there is a blood meal, bed bugs will bite.

Back in 2011, a couple from the United Kingdom decided to go on a romantic getaway in Dominican Republic at a luxury resort. What was supposed to be a relaxing vacation ended up as the worst, most frightening horror story of this couples lives. They suffered from 100’s of bed bug bites all over their bodies and 4 years later still suffer from scars and pain as a result. Upon their return, the couple was required to miss one month of work to recover from the sever blistering. They were both treated for the large red blisters, which burst, and prescribed painkillers, steroids and creams, all of which are not effective in removing the scars, mental and physical.

Keep in mind that they are still suffering from bed bug bites 4 years after their trip. Initially, when they first complained, the couple received a five figure payout which covered the costs of basic treatment, however 4 years later and still suffering, the couple is seeking legal advice for additional payouts. Thomas Cook the company who offered this vacation package is denying responsibility and mention that the company already took care of the issue. The case is ongoing.

This story is a reminder that everything is possible when on vacation and that no matter how clean a hotel might seem like, bed bugs could be lurking. There are steps to take before settling into your hotel room, first one; start by inspecting your bed!

For pictures of the bed bug bites follow the link below.

Here is the article; http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/woman-ravaged-bed-bugs-luxury-6021550

Bed bugs Ottawa: Can’t stop bed bug bites

The battle between tenants and building owners is very real when it comes to bed bugs. When a rental unit has become infested with bed bugs, not only are you battling with bed bugs themselves but also the landlord or the owner of the unit. This happens way too often. Building owners are for the most part trying to save money by hiring the cheapest exterminator which results in an ineffective treatment of bed bugs and conflict between tenant and owner.

An article came out in the Ottawa Citizen about the tenants living at 2045 Carling Ave where communication between tenants and landlords is deficient pertaining to the bed bug infestations in various units. The problem has become so serious that some tenants are seeing counsellors and anxiety medication to help cope with the panic attacks from the thought of sleeping with bed bugs. Others are burdened by the cost of having to throw away all their furniture because of fear that their furniture is infested with the pest. The risk is just not worth it. A single bed bug can cause havoc in your home. In another case a tenant just bought a new house and will be moving soon, however, she cannot risk bringing her furniture to her new home, it’s just not worth it and we understand.

In this case, the problem exists because the building owners are not listening to the tenants when they complain about bed bugs, they brush it off. In addition, when a tenant complains the delay between complaint and reaction is too long, and lastly, they are not communicating the infestation to the other tenants. In this case the tenants are right. However, as mentioned in the article, it is not the owners of the building who bring bed bugs into the units, it’s the tenants, yet landlords are expected to pay…food for thought. Although it’s not the owners fault, the law obliges them to react quickly.

Because owners are responsible for their building, they are also responsible for communicating any potential threats in the building like the location emergency exits, making sure all units have fire alarms and etc. Bed bugs spread, and they spread fast, and bed bug awareness is essential for others to keep their eyes open for any signs of bed bugs in their respective unit in order to detect early. With bed bugs, the earlier you detect, the easier it is to get rid of them.

How to get rid of bed bugs in Ottawa

The owners are right in saying that it’s not them would brought the bed bugs into the building, it’s the tenant. Also, they are not in control of the ways people live; some live in clutter, others keep everything tidy, some like to keep their place cold and others warms. That being said, the owner cannot solve the problem on their own. If a tenant keeps his place a mess, it’s much harder to find bed bugs. If other tenants like to receive lots of guest or enjoy travelling, then that unit is prone to infestation, so owners need help from the tenants. The tenants need to understand that they must do their part in the extermination process which means keep a tidy place and be constantly monitoring for the presence of bed bugs. This can be done in many ways, but the most cost efficient way is to install bed bug traps and protecting your mattress. Any bed bug extermination in Ottawa will suggest the same thing. Check out the ClimbUp bed bug traps and our mattress encasements.

Obviously, if the owner is not attentive to the complains of the tenants and the tenants are being vigilant, than it’s a losing battle, but if both parties are on board and communicate efficiently and work together, bed bugs can be a thing of the past.

Here is the article from the Ottawa Citizen: http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/tenants-say-landlord-communication-lacking-as-bed-bugs-infest-apartments