Daily Archives: December 26, 2013

Bedbugs in New Jersey

Washington DC may be the capital of the United States, but its New York City thats gained the title of the nations bed bug capital. The large coastal city is home to thousands of infested buildings, and until recently has been considered the most dangerous spot in the nation for anti-outbreak travelers, creepy crawly haters, and renters dedicated to keeping their apartments free of the parasites.

But bed bugs are slowly moving out of New York City, resulting in outbreaks in nearby cities and a cocktail of problems for those living in the citys extensive suburban area. New Jersey is one of the nearby problem sites a small state that acts as home to many of the Eastern Seaboards most rich and prestigious names. From nearby Newark to Atlantic City, the bugs appear to be taking over.

Outbreaks have become more common in New Jersey over the past five years an exponential rise that pest control experts believe is due to higher rates of travel in the state. The lack of chemicals to fight the bugs with is also an issue, as the most effective anti-pest sprays have either been banned or weakened to the point of ineffectiveness over the past decade.

Thats left many residents with no option other than to fork out thousands of dollars for expensive heat treatments and multi-stage spraying routines. As much of New Jerseys population resides in rental accommodation, particularly small apartments and shared co-op housing units, the cost of a single infestation can often become a point of contention between building owners and their tenants.

New Jerseys state government appears to be siding with the renters. A recent bill dubbed the bed bug bill by its supporters, gives tenants the right to pass bed bug issues on to their landlords, giving a $300 non-compliance fine to building owners and up to $1,000 for persistent infestations that are not met with chemical treatment. The bill isnt popular amongst apartment owners, but its working.

Or at least, it appears to be. The number of reported cases in the state continues to rise, although at a slower rate than it has over the past twelve months. Like area in nearby New York City and cities in Pennsylvania, New Jerseys bed bug population has increased at an exponential level during the last five years. Growth is still cause for concern, although it is getting relatively slower this year.

Authorities hope that the bugs can be wiped out from the states private residences, hotel rooms, and office complexes within the next two years. However, with the scale of many outbreaks and the risk associated with effective chemical treatments, New Jerseys pest problem could persist. Residents in the state are hopeful that it will at least escape without the PR problem that NYC has inherited.

How are bed bugs spreading through New Jersey?

See the original post here:
Bed Bugs New Jersey - Bed Bug.org