Author Archives: Pest Controller

This story originated as a tip to the 15 Finds Out hotline. If you have something youd like 15 to find out, call (260) 481-1515 ext. 1610.

GENEVA, Ind. (WANE) - It's something no tenant ever wants to hear: You have bed bugs. That's what some people the Geneva Shores Apartments in Adams County have been dealing with since August. The property manager said the infestation has been all cleaned up, but some timid tenants and an outspoken protestor beg to differ. South Adams Schools has also launched precautions against the insect problem.

For the past week, in the frigid December weather, Donna Butler has been the lone protestor holding a cardboard sign in front of the Geneva Shores Apartments, a complex for low income tenants.

Butler is adamant apartment management hasn't done enough to get rid of what she calls a bed bug infestation there. She's so passionate because she said her son accidently spread the bed bugs from one of the apartments to her home in the small town of Geneva.

It's been going on way too long, Butler said. People are living here now with no furniture. It has now spread through town.

The issue has even caught the eye of South Adams Schools, which began spraying down buses the first week of December.

Does it have our attention? Yes, said Scott Litwiller, superintendent of South Adams Schools. As a matter of precaution, we've been spraying buses with a spray that will kill those insects.

But a different story is coming from the Geneva Shores management. Milise Beitler said in the fall, Orkin Pest Control found four apartments with bed bugs. They previously treated, inspected, and reported that they didnt find bed bugs in three of the four apartments. Just Monday, Beitler said Orkin gave the all clear on the last one.

Ive got documentation stating that we were cleared. If [Butler] wants to say [its not], thats her opinion but we dont have them, Beitler said.

Still, anonymous tenants tell 15 Finds Out that the bed bugs have spread to other apartments. They didnt want to speak publicly, fearing they would be evicted.

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Bed bug battle sparks protest

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Megan Smith

Megan Smith has been a freelance writer and editor since 2006. She writes about health, fitness, travel, beauty and grooming topics for various print and Internet publications. Smith earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in writing from New York University.

Bed bugs are parasitic insects that feed off of the blood of warm-blooded animals. Bed bugs love cool, dark places, like inside of bed frames and in the folds of mattresses. Bed bugs leave itchy, red welts on the skin, especially on the arms, legs and feet. If you think you have bed bugs, getting rid of them can be a long and complicated process that cannot always be remedied without an exterminator. Try home remedies first, and if you still have bedbugs within a month, enlist the help of a professional.

If you are experiencing itchy welts on your body and have seen evidence of bed bugs, it's time to start cleaning your bedding and clothing. Bed bugs leave waste and eggs that look like small, black specks of dirt, and the bugs look like small, brown pepper seeds. These bugs can be found in the folds of your sheets, inside pillowcases, and in the folds of the mattress. Save this evidence on a piece of scotch tape, and place it in a plastic baggie. Then, remove all your bedding and all of your clothing. Wash and dry everything on hot, and place all clothing and bedding in sealed plastic bags. Keep the bedding in the bags until you have completely vacuumed the mattress and furniture. Keep the clothing in sealed plastic bags until there is no more evidence of bed bugs, and no bites apparent on your body. Place lavender around your room, as bed bugs can't stand the smell.

Using the hose attachment on your vacuum, thoroughly vacuum inside the folds of your mattress, your pillows and your bed frame. Vacuum any plush items in the house, like couches or chairs, and any furniture made of wood, even if they are not located in the room where the bed bugs are biting. Vacuum the walls around your bed and the floors, especially the corners where the floors meet the wall. Once you have thoroughly vacuumed, replace the sheets and pillowcases on your bed. To ensure the bed bugs do not enter your mattress again, place a bed bug mattress protector and bed bug pillowcase protectors on top of your mattress and pillow. Place petroleum jelly on the posts of your bed to prevent any new bed bugs from climbing up into your bed.

As tempting as it may seem when you have bed bugs, don't go stay with a friend or sleep on the couch instead of in your bed. You may be carrying bed bug eggs on your clothing, bedding or in your hair, and the bed bugs will move to the couch or to your friend's house. The bugs will appear where the food source is, which is you. So even if you are not carrying any bugs with you, the bugs from your bedroom will make the trip to your living room. Continue to wash dirty clothes and bedding immediately and place all clothing in sealed bags. If you are still getting bitten by bed bugs within a month, contact your local exterminators and show them the samples you saved.

Bed bugs, tiny parasites that feed on human blood, were once nearly eradicated in the United States but have become prevalent again...

Before shelling out big bucks to pay for a professional to take care of your bed bug problem, try an effective home...

Often found hidden inside your mattress, bedbugs are little parasites that feed on your blood while you sleep. The only sign a...

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Home Remedies for Getting Rid of Bed Bugs | eHow

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Krystal Miller

Krystal Miller began her writing career in 2004. She has created websites and written content for numerous online publications, specializing in topics related to gardening, fitness and health.

Bed bugs are tiny, reddish brown bugs that can be found in beds and mattresses, and will bite humans while they sleep. These bed bugs can get as big as apple seeds and hide in the mattress, box spring and headboard. While it is recommended by Mayo Clinic to hire a professional to get rid of these bugs, there a few home remedies you can try before spending money on these services.

Put rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and lightly spray over your bed. Do not over-wet the bed. This method will kill the bed bugs on contact, but may not kill all bugs that are hidden in crevices.

Wash all linens, bedding, clothing and any other items you think could be infected in hot water. The water temperature should be at least 120 degrees F to kill the bed bugs.

The heat from your dryer will also kill bed bugs and their eggs. Place items in a dryer on high heat for at least 20 minutes. The clothes can be wet or dry.

Steam is effective for mild cases of bed bugs, where they have not embedded themselves deep into the mattress. The steam needs to come in direct contact with the bugs. Run a steam cleaner over your linens, bedding and clothes to kill any bugs that are visible.

Use your vacuum to clean the bugs off your bed, linens and furniture. If you have attachments on your vacuum that can get down in deep crevices, this works even better.

Bed bugs cannot withstand freezing temperatures and can be exterminated by leaving them in temperatures below 32 degrees F. If the temperature outside is 32 degrees F or below, you can place your items outside for several days. This will kill the bed bugs.

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Natural Herbal Home Remedies for Bed Bug Control | eHow