Exterminators, scientists see strides in finding, killing bed bugs

Bed bugs are small but are they still dangerous?

As bed bugs increase their presence, exterminators and pesticide researchers are escalating efforts to hunt down and kill the wingless red insect.

State entomologist Dr. Jeffrey Brown says although the bugs are hitting Mississippi hard, especially its lodging sector, he sees the nation as a whole making strides in search-and-destroy efforts.

His assessment is joined by pest control managers in Mississippi and the general manager of a California company who says the companys product kills bed bugs instantly for up to a year with a single application.

On the detection side, mans best friend the dog can be trained to be an outstanding hunter of bed bugs in a hotel room or house, according to Brown and extermination experts.

They bring in dogs that sniff for bed bugs twice a year, Brown, director of the Mississippi Department of Healths Environmental Services Bureau, said of some hotels. Other hotels say hiring a dog is too expensive, he added.

A beagle in New Orleans has gained a wide reputation for finding the reclusive bugs that like to stay hidden until their human hosts are deep into sleep. The cost for the beagle: $300 an hour, according to Mark Armola, manager of the Jackson branch of Redd Pest Control.

But such a dog is going to be with a trained handler and is pretty darn accurate at being able to find bed bug infestations, said David Mayley, manager for Orkins Long Beach branch.

When Redd Pest Control confirms the presence of bed bugs, it employs an eradication strategy of applying chemical pesticides in the infested unit, and the rooms on either side and above and below the unit. Then we see how that goes and do a follow-up treatment in three or four weeks, Armola said. After that, it is pretty well hit and miss if you dont get them in the initial or follow-up visits.

In the meantime, new travelers are bringing new infestations into the rooms via their luggage.

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Exterminators, scientists see strides in finding, killing bed bugs