BED BUGS BE GONE

Fact sheet offers solution to this not-so-little problem

Bed bugs are on the rise nationally -- from four star hotels to one bedroom apartments. Since they are so small, bed bugs are one of the most difficult home pest problems that you'll see (or not see as as the case may be!). They don’t just hide in mattresses but also bed frames, furniture, wooden floors and carpeting. Even after you have found them bed bugs are still very hard to remove. Not even the use of hazardous pesticides is totally effective.

Don't panic. The best strategy is one of persistence and patience. If you have bed bugs, immediately remove all sheets and wash them in hot water. Place them in a dryer, and turn the heat on high for maximum effect. Next, put a plastic mattress cover over the bed. This will have to stay in place for at least 4 months. For treatment in carpets and furniture, use a portable hand held steamer set at the highest setting. Press the steamer hard into the fabric and slowly move it over the entire surface. This will kill bed bugs and their eggs. You may need to repeat this several times over the next few months.

For more tips please take a look at our Bed Bugs fact sheet. For our fact sheet in Spanish click Bed Bugs (Spanish).

IPM IN HOMES

No matter where you live-- in an apartment, house or dorm room-- there's something most of us have in common - a desire to have a home free of ants, mice, and other pests. Integrated Pest Management offers a method of getting rid of these pests while avoiding the use of pesticides that could have serious health consequences. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a proven method of pest control that emphasizes simple, inexpensive prevention practices that cause the least harm to people and the environment. IPM focuses on eliminating the root cause of pests by minimizing access to food, water and hiding places.

IPM has been successfully used by homeowners, landlords, and renters –including residents of public and low income housing. In fact, a nationally recognized IPM program that SPCP conducted in Chicago’s public housing development, Henry Horner Homes, resulted in an 83% drop in the pesticides used. Additionally, a study by Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York found that homes that began using IPM reported roaches down by 40%, whereas homes that didn’t use IPM had no reduction. view study

The following resources provide you with basic information to get started using IPM in your home.

 A fact sheet explaining the basics of IPM

 A list of steps to practice IPM in your own home

 A list of pest control companies that provide IPM services

Contact us with questions or for more information: info@spcpweb.org.