Do I Need to Schedule a Regular Bed Bug Inspection?
Posted by Jeremy Ecker on Thu, Feb 09, 2012 @ 01:26 PM
As the bed bugs prolem throughout the United States has reached epidemic proportions, many are pondering whether or not they should schedule a regular bed bug inspection for their home, business or other structure. The short answer is “yes,” especially since this type of vigilance can go a long way in identifying and treating a bed bug problem at its earliest stage, before it becomes an expensive endeavor or one that has only spread the problem further. Indeed, such regular inspections and other interventions have apparently paid off for New Yorkers. The latest figures show a decline in bed bugs in New York City areas – regarded by some as “bed bug ground zero.”
Why Undertake a Regular Bed Bug Inspection?
An article in Crain’s New York Business noted some key reasons:
Experts said that the city's education efforts—and people's anxiety levels—have paid off. The city set up a bedbug website that provides information on how to prevent, recognize and treat infestations. HPD has developed new training programs for its inspectors to help them better detect the insects. In November, HPD unleashed its latest weapons, Mickey and Nemo, two bedbug-sniffing beagles. Meanwhile, the state passed a law in 2010 that requires landlords to disclose any prior bedbug infestations in their buildings.
Another article that appeared in the Lexington Clipper-Herald provided numerous tips for bed bug infestations of which a regular bed bug inspection a key piece of advice. This included regular inspections at home and around typical hiding spots for bed bugs, including pet beds, mattresses, bedding, and bags. Advice also included regularly inspecting your hotel room and luggage during and after the trip. Even when shopping or going to the gym or school, it is best to regularly inspect your belongings for signs of bed bugs.
Professional or DIY Bed Bug Inspection?
While one route is to utilize a professional bed bug inspection company, especially those employing highly accurate bed bug dogs, you may choose to go it alone. You can conduct your own inspection of your home by using a flashlight and magnifying glass in search of tell-tale signs like dark red or brown spots on bedding and mattresses that indicate bed bug feces. You can also shine the flashlight on crevices and cracks in mattress and box spring folds, baseboards, outlets, smoke alarms and other key hiding spots. However, if you are the operator of a large hotel or apartment building, it may be best to go with a bed bug dog company that can quickly cover a large area with a high level of accuracy. Even for homeowners, while you may not find visual signs the insects may be lurking in areas not accessible to the naked eye.
Regular inspections can be monthly if you do them yourself or on a quarterly basis if hiring a professional and undertaking the inspection for a business. Of course, this is only a recommendation and not a proven timeline for effectiveness. Regular vigilance does pay off in terms of a lower infestation rate and is one of the best lines of defenses for addressing the current national problem.
In Review
Here are the main points from this blog post:
- Bed bugs in New York have seen a reduced rate of reporting due to more information on how to prevent, recognize, and treat infestations, which has included more inspections by both humans and bed bug dogs.
- Other articles point to inspections as a proactive way to ensure that a bed bug infestation does not reoccur.
- You can do your own inspections of your home on a monthly basis or hire a professional to do the inspection for you, which is effective for businesses that have a larger area to inspect, on a quarterly basis.
About The Author
Jeremy Ecker has worked in the pest control industry for the past 17 years. The last 8 years was spent as a Vice President of one of the most well respected regional Pest Control Companies in New York. He is part of a NESDCA Certified Dog Team