Posts by The Bed Bug Guys

Bed bugs affect people in a number of ways, but perhaps the most important are various skin reactions and allergic reactions. True allergic reactions are rare from bed bug bites, and anaphylactic shock is even rarer; however, people often claim that severe bite reactions are allergic (but sometimes this is not the case). The presence of itchy, red bumps, and even blood blisters, are more common. This brief article attempts to classify in laymen’s terms the various reactions resulting from bed bug bites. Actually, the most common response to a bed bug bite appears to be no skin reaction at all, with a barely visible tiny hole (punctum) at the location of the bite. Research studies have shown that anywhere from 30 to 60 percent of people bitten by bed bugs have no reaction whatsoever. Common skin reactions for which medical attention is sought are usually 2- to 5-mm itchy red spots at bed bug feeding sites, one per insect. These usually itch, and if not abraded, resolve within a week or so. The size and itchiness associated with these common reactions may increase in some individuals who experience repeated bites. I have known several people who said bed bug bite reactions are extremely itchy. Complex Skin Reactions. Some patients may experience complex skin reactions. Reports of these have included itchy wheals (local urticarial or hives) around a central punctum, itchy small red bumps, or diffuse hives at bite sites usually noted or arising in the morning. Blister-like rashes may occur upon new biting events days later. In some cases, these reactions evolve into itchy papules or nodules (hard bumps) that when scratched may become infected (impetiginous) and persist for weeks. These “secondary infections” from scratching bed bug bites can become quite serious and require medical care. The timing of cutaneous reactions to bed bugs may change with multiple exposures. This appears to reflect host immunological responses to the proteins in bed bug saliva. In other words, the person is becoming more sensitized to the bites each time. One of the original bed bug researchers, Robert Usinger, fed a colony of bed bugs on himself weekly for seven years and noted that his reactions progressed from delayed to immediate,...

Happy Holidays! According to AAA, 43.6 million Americans are planning to take to the roads, skies and railwaysbetween Nov. 21 and Nov. 25. The Federal Aviation Administration lists the nation’s 35 busiest airports, and 30 of those cities can be found on Orkin’s top 50 bed bug cities list. So try not to travel to these cities “Based on the diversity of cities on the list, we all need to be very cautious when we travel—whether it is business or pleasure, or to visit family, friends or vacation. We need to be vigilant wherever we are and take the proper precautions.” What makes it so difficult?  Bed bugs are the worlds greatest Hitch Hikers and it could take several days to weeks and even months before you notice you brought them home with you.  They will come into your home 2 WAYS—you or someone else: either directly on your clothes you are wearing or on something you bring into your home, Luggage, book bags, ect. and/ or  USED: books, furniture, couches, beds and/or ANYTHING.  They will not come from out side your house directly into your home on their own, they are transported in. New research from the University of Minnesota has also suggested bed bugs are attracted to dirty clothes, so keep them in a sealed bag or container when you...

Hello folks, I am Jeff, one of “The Bed Bug Guys” and we love killing Bed Bugs. “The Bed Bug Guys” are a locally owned and operated business that specializes in exterminating Bed Bugs, with HEAT Treatments.  Bed Bug exterminating is all we do and are a very successful business, with hundreds of satisfied customers throughout the entire State of Minnesota and surrounding states. We use the best Equipment and Treatment process in America, HEAT. Heat is the NEW pesticide in eradicating Bed Bugs for GOOD and NOBODY DOES IT BETTER than “The Bed Bug Guys”.  We are one of the very few companies nationwide NOT USING ANY TOXIC Pesticides (Nerve Poisons) during our Treatments. We services Homes, Hotels, Dorms, Camps, Apartment, Retail, Condo’s and so much more. You can be Bed Bug Free in 48 Hours by calling 612-267-0335 now.  Have all your Bed Bugs Dead in 48 hours, simply by calling “The Bed Bug Guys” TODAY. We offer a 60 Day Guarantee you Will Be Bed Bug Free.   If you get Bed Bugs again in 60 days, we come back and re-treat with Heat.  This is simply the Best Warranty in the Entire Industry. “The Bed Bug Guys” have almost 100% success rate in eradicating Bed Bugs using just HEAT TREATMENTS. That’s right; we have been able to eradicate all of our cooperating customers’ Bed Bug Problems.  Some of them have been battling those bothersome, blood sucking Pests for 6 months  – 2 years, causing high levels of Stress, Anxiety, Loss of Sleep and so much more.     Bed Bugs are the hardest pest to eradicate and require complete cooperation by all people involved for Heat Treatments to be successful.  That is why we do almost all the preparation work for you, not having you or your tenants responsible for a successful treatment.  In rare cases, a second heat treatment is required and that is why you want our 60 day warranty to be bed bug free. Other companies using chemicals have been proven to be unsuccessful in exterminating Bed Bugs, only pushing Bed Bugs deeper into your homes structure and creating pesticide resistant Bed Bugs, making it even harder to kill them. Very few companies use Heat...

Acute Illnesses Associated With Insecticides Used to Control Bed Bugs — Seven States, 2003–2010   For 2003–2010, a total of 111 cases were identified in seven states (Table 2). The majority of cases occurred during 2008–2010 (73%), were of low severity (81%), and were identified by poison control centers (81%). New York City had the largest percentage of cases (58%).     Weekly September 23, 2011 / 60(37);1269-1274   The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is a wingless, reddish-brown insect that requires blood meals from humans, other mammals, or birds to survive (1). Bed bugs are not considered to be disease vectors (2,3), but they can reduce quality of life by causing anxiety, discomfort, and sleeplessness (4). Bed bug populations and infestations are increasing in the United States and internationally (3,5). Bed bug infestations often are treated with insecticides, but insecticide resistance is a problem, and excessive use of insecticides or use of insecticides contrary to label directions can raise the potential for human toxicity. To assess the frequency of illness from insecticides used to control bed bugs, relevant cases from 2003–2010 were sought from the Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR)-Pesticides program and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH). Cases were identified in seven states: California, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Texas, and Washington. A total of 111 illnesses associated with bed bug–related insecticide use were identified; although 90 (81%) were low severity, one fatality occurred. Pyrethroids, pyrethrins, or both were implicated in 99 (89%) of the cases, including the fatality. The most common factors contributing to illness were excessive insecticide application, failure to wash or change pesticide-treated bedding, and inadequate notification of pesticide application. Although few cases of illnesses associated with insecticides used to control bed bugs have been reported, recommendations to prevent this problem from escalating include educating the public about effective bed bug management. To evaluate illnesses associated with insecticides used to control bed bugs, data from 2003–2010 were obtained from states participating in the SENSOR-Pesticides program* and from NYC DOHMH.† Acute illnesses associated with an insecticide used to control bed bugs were defined as two or more acute adverse health effects resulting from exposure to an insecticide...

Why Bedbugs Won’t Die Irritating Pests Are Evolving Rapidly to Withstand Pesticides, Gene Study Finds By ROBERT LEE HOTZ The first comprehensive genetic study of bedbugs, the irritating pests that have enjoyed a world-wide resurgence in recent years, indicates they are quickly evolving to withstand the pesticides used to combat them. The new findings from entomologists at Ohio State University, reported Wednesday online in PLoS One, show that bedbugs may have boosted their natural defenses by generating higher levels of enzymes that can cleanse them of poisons. In New York City, bedbugs now are 250 times more resistant to the standard pesticide than bedbugs in Florida, due to changes in a gene controlling the resilience of the nerve cells targeted by the insecticide, researchers at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst recently reported. Recent studies show that bedbugs around the world have developed a resistance to the chemicals used to control them. Scientists are now studying the molecular biology of these pests to develop more lasting control measures. View Slideshow Associated Press New findings from entomologists at Ohio State University, reported Wednesday online in PLoS One, show that bedbugs may have boosted their natural defenses by generating higher levels of enzymes that can cleanse themselves of common pyrethroid-based pesticides. More photos and interactive graphics The findings add to a growing body of evidence from molecular-biology studies that bedbugs have recently evolved at least three improved biochemical defenses against common pesticides. Bedbugs today appear to have nerve cells better able to withstand the chemical effects, higher levels of enzymes that detoxify the lethal substances, and thicker shells that can block insecticides. “These bugs have several back doors open to escape,” said evolutionary entomologist Klaus Reinhardt at the University of Tuebingen in Germany, who was familiar with the new research butn’t involved in the projects. “Simple spraying around of some pesticides may not [be enough] now or in the future.” In an era of antibiotic-resistant infections and herbicide-resist ant weeds, the ability of bedbugs to survive once-lethal doses of insecticides is the newest evidence that efforts to eradicate pests that plague humankind may make some of them stronger. It is a key reason for the spread of bedbugs in the past decade,...