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Florida pest infestation rankings: Bed bugs, cockroaches, carpenter ants. Who's No. 1? - News-Press
If youre traveling this summer, you might be worried about bed bugs crawling into your luggage and hitching a ride home with you. With all those creepy Paris infestation headlines circulating online last year and, more recently, reports of sightings in several Las Vegas strip hotels, its hard not to freak out.
Thankfully, these critters dont transmit diseases to humans, Jody Gangloff-Kaufmann, PhD, an entomologist and senior associate of the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program at Cornell University, tells SELF. But still, bed bugs are considered public health pests for good reason: They can bite on exposed skin at nightthe face, neck, arms, legs, hands, feet, Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann explains.
In rare cases, their bites can cause severe allergic reactions (like life-threatening anaphylaxis), and scratching them can sometimes lead to secondary skin infections such as impetigo and ecthyma. Not to mention, these pests multiply quickly and can easily take over your home, which may do a number on your mental health. So, its a good idea to protect yourself, especially if youre staying in a hotel or vacation rental.
Thats because, as the name implies, bed bugs are usually found in, yep, beds. (They feed on human blood, so where better to lurk than where we sleep and lie still for hours?) As they reproduce, however, they can spread to other nearby areas, like side tables or under lamps, as well as rugs and curtains, Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann explains.
Before you completely spiral and cancel your trip, though, there are a few steps you can take to keep your vacation as pest-free as possible. Below, Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann shares her top three tips for avoiding bed bugs when traveling.
Whatever you do, avoid putting your suitcase on the bed, where those little creepy crawlers tend to hide. Bed bugs thrive in crevices close to humans, Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann saysmeaning they can also live in the nooks and crannies of places like couches, armchairs, rugs, and carpeted floors.
Instead, prop your belongings above the ground, ideally on a luggage rack (you can usually find one in the closet or entryway of a hotel room): Bed bugs can technically climb, but they wouldntnot unless a person is sitting on [the rack]since these pests are motivated by a hosts scent and warmth, she says.
If your accommodation doesnt have a luggage rack, you can also place your suitcase on a hard, tiled surface (like the bathroom floor) or, as recommended by the American Lodging and Hotel Association, in the car until youve done a thorough inspection (see below). Another option: Cover your luggage with a plastic trash bag.
To thoroughly scan your room for bed bugs, Dr. Gangloff-Kaufmann says to start by stripping the sheets, blankets, and pillows from the bed. (Yes, its kind of inconvenient, but its worth the hassle to ensure your safety.) Then, lift the mattress and use your phones flashlight to check for signs of these unwelcome guests (read on for the biggest red flags).
Original post:
Im an Entomologist. Heres How I Avoid Bed Bugs When I Travel - Self
A library in west London has closed temporarily following the discovery of bedbugs amid wider concerns about the spread of bedbugs in the UK following reports of an outbreak in France.
Ealing Central Library was shut on Monday after the insects were found in furnishings inside the building.
Although the library is safe for the public, concerns from staff and library users have prompted authorities to take swift action.
They have announced that the library will remain closed until Thursday after the insects have been eliminated.
It comes amid concern in London over bedbug infestations following a recent outbreak in Paris.
Rentokil Pest Control said it saw a 32% jump in enquiries about bedbugs in the UK from January to September this year compared with a year earlier,
The firm also tracked a 65% increase year-on-year in recorded bedbug activity in the second quarter of 2023, versus last year.
An activity is when a technician has been on a customer site and confirmed the presence of bedbugs.
While the thought of bed bugs makes most people's skin crawl, as far as scientists know, they do not carry any human disease and their bite is painless but can leave an itchy red mark, said Prof Robert Smith, professor emeritus at the University of Huddersfield.
He said: "Bites often show up as a straight row of three or four I once woke up with a line of raised bites across my chest in a hotel in Ethiopia, with no ill effects. (I found this experience quite interesting although I can see that others might not.)"
Prof Smith reports of bedbugs have been increasing for many years, both in the UK and many other countries, probably mainly due to their developing resistance to insecticides.
"The five immature stages (nymphs) need a blood meal in order to develop to the next stage and adult bedbugs can live up to a year," added Prof Smith.
Bedbugs mostly feed at night and "hang out in cracks and crevices" during the day, said Prof Smith.
"I no longer use drawers in hotels to avoid picking up bedbugs as they can quite easily hitch a ride in luggage," he added.
"Hence, they can travel between countries in luggage and are widespread. So, I wouldnt worry about them, but would advise avoiding unpacking clothes as far as possible in hotels.
"Some people even advise storing your suitcase in the bathtub, though I dont go that far."
The spotlight may be on Paris, but bed bugs are found globally so are already in the UK, said Prof James Logan, professor of medical entomology and director of Arctech Innovation, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
"Bed bugs are good hitchhikers and could easily be brought from Paris to the UK, but could just as easily go from the UK to Paris," he said.
"It is unlikely that Paris is significantly worse than other places, although they may be unlucky right now with a bit of a bed bug boom."
Prof Logan said experts need to be able to monitor for bed bugs quicker so they can be dealt with quickly before infestations get out of control, adding: "There are traps that lure bed bugs effectively that can do this job e.g. https://www.bugscents.com/ (developed by scientists at LSHTM)".
According to pest company Rentokil, there are a number of simple steps you can take to reduce your chances of an outbreak of bed bugs at home.
They include:-
Washing and drying clothes at the highest possible temperatures
Eliminating clutter in your house to give bed bugs fewer places to hide
Avoid spreading bed bugs to your friends and family by not taking any clothes, suitcases or furniture to their homes
Tidying all areas of your bedroom, especially the floor around/underneath your bed and bed-side cabinets.
Vacuuming can greatly reduce the size of the bed bug population, but only when theyre clearly visible. It cannot guarantee total elimination. (Empty and clean the vacuum to avoid transferring eggs to other rooms.)
DIY products can help eliminate some bed bugs but shouldnt be relied on to get rid of the problem completely
According to Rentokil, bed bugs can easily move from house to house through wall or floor cavities and can spread quickly - which means infestations need to be treated sooner rather than later.
Some people think sunlight can kill bed bugs, the company added.
But it said: "Heat does kill them but it needs to be quite high (around 50 degrees) and over a sustained period so its very unlikely with UK weather!"
Read more:
Bed bugs: Expert reveals tell-tale sign to know if you've been bitten - Yahoo News UK
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