“Bedbugs bite Casper” |
| Posted: 18 Nov 2010 11:52 PM PST Bedbugs bite Casper by Greg Fladager What do Casper and a 3,500-year-old archeological site in Egypt have in common? The ancient Egyptian city of Amana has the earliest evidence of bedbugs, while Casper has some of the most recent. The topic came up at a recent Casper City Council work session, when it was reported a local independent living center was the latest victim of the biting bug, which is seeing a resurgence nationwide. "They're typically transported into a building," said John Drinnon, Environmental Health Division Director for the Natrona County Health Department. "Bedbugs have a very restricted area. They don't fly, they don't really migrate, they're typically brought in from the outside through clothing, luggage, upholstery, mattresses and especially bedding. "We've had complaints about bedbugs for decades, but not in quite the numbers we're seeing now," Drinnon said. The county doesn't keep statistics on bedbug reports, but Drinnon said the fabled insect has recently cropped up in local lodging facilities, apartment complexes and private homes. No one is immune. "We've become such a cosmopolitan society, they're transporting themselves all over," Drinnon said, noting health officials are starting to see an increase in other types of infestation issues, not just bedbugs. On the bright side, perhaps, bedbugs don't transmit diseases like some other pests, according to Drinnon, but they certainly are a nuisance. Their bites itch, which can lead to scratching and increased risk of exposure to other " … bacteria and pathogens," Drinnon said. The only way to get rid of the little buggers requires a comprehensive and intensive cleaning, most likely by a professional exterminator. Clothing and bedding also need to be thoroughly washed and treated. "If you have a single room," Drinnon said, "you have to apply applications to adjacent rooms. Otherwise they'll just be chased from one room to another." A spokeswoman for Legacy Senior Apartments in North Casper (the latest victim), said even though the outbreak isn't throughout the facility, they'll be treating the entire building. "Of course we're not happy about it," the spokeswoman said. "We're really sorry for the inconvenience and stress it's caused the residents." That sentiment also probably dates back 3,500 years. 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 |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Content Keyword RSS To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 comments:
Post a Comment