Bed Bugs Hearings Set for Philly Pennsylvania …

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Cherie Horrigan-Happy, a Philadelphia row house resident with a bed bug problem, contacted Dion Lerman, PA IPMs environmental health programs specialist. Due to their shared walls, the bed bugs were migrating from Horrigan-Happys neighbor into her residence. I instructed her to practice IPM by sealing cracks and crevices and using Diatomaceous Earth in wall voids to block bed mug migration, Lerman explained.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to pest management that emphasizes prevention of pest problems, and the use of the most effective, long-term and least hazardous solutions. Diatomaceous Earth is a naturally occurring siliceous sedimentary rock consisting of the fossilized remains of diatoms. It is often used to control pests by disrupting their waxy shell, making them more prone to eventual death by dehydration. Its use in wall voids helps prevent the bed bugs from migrating between shared walls and into other rooms.

Horrigan-Happy was bed bug free for about six months and was in the process of securing funds to make a documentary about her experiences when the bed bugs returned. Michelle Niedermeier, community IPM coordinator, worked with Horrigan-Happy to facilitate several meetings with Philadelphia First District Councilman Mark Squilla, along with neighbors, Rhonda Griffin from Pest Free Maintenance, Inc., and representatives from the Tenant Union Representative Network, to find out what legally could be done.

Horrigan-Happy and her neighbor spoke about multiple treatments from pest control operators, recommendations they received from PA IPM, and the lawsuit against the former row house owner who knowingly sold her an infested house. She was ready to abandon this property because she could no longer deal with the bed bugs.

Councilman Squilla said he would like to propose a resolution, and at PA IPMs recommendation, the resolution was set forth in front of City Council at the end of October 2014. Philadelphia City Council is now planning hearings on bed bug infestations, with the first set for December 3.

According to Niedermeier, residents living in row houses and apartments often cant afford repeated bed bug treatments, and simply getting rid of the mattress is never the answer. Often bed bugs will be in more than one room of the house, in the woodwork, receptacles, or even behind pictures hanging on the walls. It is important for neighbors to communicate with each other about possible bed bug sightings, so that everyone can be vigilant. Horrigan-Happy and her neighbors are hopeful the hearings can get them the help they need to get rid of bed bugs in their row homes once and for all.

Bed bugs were once a common pest, but were mostly eradicated by older types of insecticides and improved home cleaning technologies in the early to mid 1900's. Unfortunately, bed bugs have evolved and older type insecticides are no longer an effective means of controlling them. Current research shows promise for IPM methods of control including the use of heat, steam and other non/low-toxic tactics. Since they seem to be making a come back, everyone should learn to identify bed bugs and their signs, and to reach out to area experts for assistance. Information on effective bed bug management in multiple environments can be found at the Pennsylvania IPM Programs bed bug resource web page. There is also information for pest control professionals and information in Spanish.

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Bed Bugs Hearings Set for Philly Pennsylvania ...