Don’t Take Bedbug Extermination Into Your Own Hands
There has been a lot of talk recently about maintaining sanitary conditions and fighting the recent surge in bedbug infestations. Fifty years ago, we thought that we had taken care of the bedbug problem for good, but their population has rebounded and, according to Dale Kemery of the Environmental Protection Agency, incidents of infestations have tripled since 2005.
Bedbugs have been appearing all across the country, and not just in the places where you might expect. When you think of bugs getting into the mattresses, pillows, boxsprings and other pieces of furniture, you think of shoddy, rundown hotels that believe that “sanitary conditions” is something that happens to other people’s hotels. The truth, though, is that infestations of bedbugs have been discovered in upscale apartments, pricey retail establishments, and even in movie theaters.
All it takes is a small encounter with these creatures and you could be bringing home a number of unwanted guests. New York residents have to be especially careful, because the city has been hit especially hard, with more than 4,500 bedbug complaints.
What You Should and Should Not Do
It’s going to take more than simple NYC carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning to get rid of an infestation once it gets inside. Unfortunately, many unqualified people have made some serious mistakes trying to wipe out their own infestation, which is why it is so important that you don’t take bedbug extermination into your own hands.
In a recent article from the Associated Press, the bedbug problem was detailed, as well as some of the problems that stem from people taking the matter into their own hands. There have been reports of illness the result from unlicensed applicators saturating a home with chemicals that were intended only for outdoor use. There have even been some cases of fires when homeowners used highly flammable chemicals inside.
These desperate measures have been employed because, over the years, bedbugs have developed a resistance to most of the chemicals that have been approved for indoor use. Getting rid of bedbugs is obviously a top priority, but you should not start using chemicals that will do more harm than good.
What You Should Do
Be vigilant. Like any other kind of infestation, bedbug cleaning will be a lot easier if you can catch them before they start to spread. Try to keep your home as clean as possible. Bedbugs can hide almost anywhere (not just beds), so thorough cleaning of everything from the carpet and upholstery to your clothing and curtains will help you spot any unwanted visitors.
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