“Bedbugs biting in Danville”

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Bedbugs biting in Danville Posted: 11 Oct 2010 06:38 AM PDT Local pest control companies are treating more cases of bedbugs in Danville recently than in the past. While more cases are being reported in heavier populated urban areas, Danville also needs to keep aware of an increasing problem, especially after residents travel, experts said. Schoolfield Pest Control has seen four times as many bedbug cases in the past two years, said owner Jack Cook. Bedbugs were a minimal problem before, but now Schoolfield Pest Control is finding active infestations every other month. The business has treated both residences and a commercial property. "The bedbugs have made a great comeback," Cook said. "Everybody's working very hard to get this thing under control." Pest control companies are anticipating the problem growing in the coming years. Cook said all the companies in Danville are well equipped to handle them and he hopes better treatment options develop out of research. "Bedbugs are becoming an epidemic in the United States," said Bill Campbell, owner of the Orkin franchise on Mount Cross Road. Orkin is seeing more cases of bedbugs in Danville and while it isn't severe, it's enough to be wary about Campbell said. Inspection is the key, he said. Once bedbugs are found, don't hesitate to call pest control. Home Paramount Pest Control Companies, which also services Danville, has seen an enormous increase in calls with the majority from cities along the Interstate 95 corridor, like Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia, said Jim Fredericks, technical director. While Home Paramount, with 27 branch locations in seven states, is seeing more cases in private homes, most cases involve multifamily housing, Fredericks said. "Bedbugs are a real emotional issue," Fredericks said. "People really get creeped out by bedbugs." Bedbugs, like mosquitoes, feed on the blood of humans. Bedbugs come out at night while people are sleeping and can feed up to 10 minutes. Unlike mosquitoes, bedbugs don't transmit disease. The bedbug bite itself is painless, but some people will have a reaction like itchy bumps, Fredericks said. Bedbugs don't come because a place is filthy. Bedbugs have a tendency to spread and although they cannot fly, they can catch rides on clothing or luggage. People need to be especially vigilant in hotel rooms, Fredericks said. "Some will hitchhike back in your luggage," he added. The Pittsylvania-Danville Health District hasn't received any complaints of bedbugs, said Dr. Charles Devine, health director. The last complaint of bedbugs in a hotel was in July 2008. The health department couldn't confirm that complaint as valid, but the hotel operator hired an exterminator anyways, he added. Tips for preventing and treating bedbugs Bedbugs love cracks, crevices and other hiding places. Search walls, baseboards, furniture and seams in mattresses. Seal cracks in the home. Inspect hotel rooms carefully. When coming back home after traveling, empty luggage and wash and dry the clothes to kill bedbugs. Check the luggage. Don't leave bags sitting there for days. If you suspect bedbugs, report it to landlords or managers. If it's your home, call a pest control company for a professional inspection and treatment, which can involve steam or pesticide. Don't attempt to get rid of bedbugs by yourself. Buy bedbug-proof mattress covers to seal in and starve bedbugs or keep them out. This also makes them easier to spot before an infestation. Depending on the severity of an infestation, some mattresses may be recommended for destruction. If disposing of infested mattresses of furniture, mark them as bedbug-infested so others don't take them. Source: Danville's Orkin, Schoolfield Pest Control and Home Paramount Pest Control Companies This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php Five Filters featured article: Beyond Hiroshima - The Non-Reporting of Falluja's Cancer Catastrophe.

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