Brooklyn Bed Bug Registry Infestation Maps, Residential and Hotel

The Next Frontier in New York's War on Rats: Birth Control  The New York Times

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The Next Frontier in New York's War on Rats: Birth Control - The New York Times

Q: I live in a small Manhattan co-op. Last summer, my apartment had a bedbug infestation, which I treated by calling an exterminator. The process entailed multiple visits and cost several thousand dollars. I never billed the co-op, partly out of embarrassment, even though I might have been able to. I later learned that my upstairs neighbor also had bedbugs and treated them on her own. Now a year later, the board is updating its proprietary lease so that the treatment of bedbugs is entirely the responsibility of tenants. Can it do that? Do any state laws govern a co-ops response to bug infestations?

A: New York City tenants, including co-op shareholders, are entitled to live in apartments free of bedbugs. As the landlord, your co-op board is legally obligated to exterminate bedbug infestations and prevent them from returning, although the rules dont say who has to pay for the treatment. The city gives landlords 30 days to deal with the issue. The co-op is also required to file an annual report with the city and provide residents with a written notice of the buildings bedbug history.

Theres a practical reason for this: Bedbugs like to move around, frequently spreading to neighboring apartments, which could explain why you and your neighbor had an infestation around the same time.

The co-op is in the best position to handle a building-wide infestation, said Lisa A. Smith, a real estate lawyer and partner in the Manhattan office of the law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell. The board can call a qualified professional who can treat the affected unit and inspect neighboring ones. The neighbors are not going to do that among themselves, Ms. Smith said.

Treating the infestation is one thing. Paying for it is another: The board could foist that bill onto shareholders. Most co-ops and landlords pay for extermination costs, while tenants pay for the costs associated with preparing their apartments for extermination and containing the infestation. The real cost is the prep, Ms. Smith said. Tenants, for example, often replace mattresses and sofas, and dry clean and wash all their clothes and linens.

Look at the proposed change to the lease and see what it says. Per city and state housing rules, the board cannot abdicate its responsibility to exterminate. It can pass extermination costs along to shareholders, but you can push back; those costs are not extraordinary for a building, but they may be large enough to stop an individual shareholder from coming forward about an infestation.

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Can My Co-op Charge Me to Get Rid of the Bedbugs in My Apartment? - The New York Times

And prevent their return

Maybe I was an entomologist or insect in a past life. Ants, spiders, and bees, and more, fascinate me. I release spiders to their outdoor space or leave them alone when theyre inside my house. Though I love most of them, there are a few exceptions. Im not a fan of roaches in my home. They're common in the New Mexico desert, where we used to live. I'd sweep them out to live the rest of their days in my yard instead of the kitchen.

And then there were bedbugs.

Theyve altered my relationship with insects forever. Im itching just thinking about them. For those who are allergic (Im one of them), they leave rows or clusters of itchy bites overnight.

If you suspect you have bedbugs anywhere in your home, youll have to be relentless in eliminating them.

Heres how you can (hopefully) get rid of bedbugs:

Bedbugs are round, brownish-red, and somewhat flat before they feed. Theyre about the size of a flea. Like me, you might not see them often or at all. The first one I found was as filled with my blood. It didnt even look like a bug at first. They look like the tip of a candlewick when full.

Midway through my professional treatment, I didnt expect bites after he sprayed. They bit me eleven times in one night. Seriously, these bugs are no joke. It mightve taken only one of them to dine on my forearm, neck, and thighs.

Theyre more likely if you live in a rental. Ive always rented apartments as an adult. Even with flea-carrying cats, Ive never been subject to this many bites from an insect. They got my attention.

If you live in an apartment, check with your neighbors. My next-door neighbor had more bedbugs than I do, and we share a common wall. Theyre likely hiding there, then sneak in to suck my blood in my sleep. Ive never been so motivated to rid my room of bugs.

I had bedbugs in my room for months. I noticed several tiny bites on my knee and wrist once or twice in late June. I recalled a similar pattern on my youngest daughter last year, so I had a feeling they were here. We went to visit my parents for a month, and they returned with a vengeance. I suddenly had up to a dozen bites every night.

We probably had an infestation when we lived in Oregon, but never pursued treatment because we were about to move. A variety of insects thrive in New Mexico, and we get plenty coming inside. Bedbugs take it to a new level. They can survive without a host for up to 18 months, even in a sealed trash bag.

There are several steps. First, wash and dry all clothing, pillows, and bedding on hot. Put everything else in sealed plastic bags. Include books and picture frames. Discard whatever might be a good hiding place, as finances allow.

Vacuum throughly, then empty out the canister or dispose of the bag in the outside trash bin. Continue to vacuum before, during, and after treatment.

Heres the deal with bagging your things. You have to look through every item since they dont all die in there. I suggest going outside, far from your door. Inspect for holes, rips, or tears. Flip through books and notebooks. Shake out baskets. I found a few in a wicker basket Id kept by my bed. No wonder they were after me so often. I threw it in the garbage.

Having a bedbug invasion isnt about overall cleanliness. Anyone can bring them in. But knowing youve cleared what you can of any chance meeting is the best way to keep them at bay. Contrary to what some people believe, you won't only find bedbugs in dirty dwellings. They're parasites, which means they search for humans to feed on. If you're warm-blooded, bedbugs will try to find you. But cleaning your space will help you find and eliminate them.

3.Use essential oils

I dropped and rolled all the essential oils before going to bed. I used a combo of lavender, cedarwood on my neck, wrists, and chest. I tried a homemade concoction of peppermint, rosemary, tea tree, and cedarwood to spray around the perimeter and on my sheets.

I used bug repellent with catnip, lemongrass, rosemary, and geranium oil. Badger Bug Balm works well and smells delicious. The catnip spray is called Life Stings. Theyre both organic and dont contain DEET.

I have to get honest about my use of essential oils. They do help, dont get me wrong. Theyre effective to an extent. But theyre not reliable to completely repel these bedbugs. They deter them for a time until you have to reapply. They dont like the scent, but they want you more.

Thats why oils are only a part of the picture. The most important thing to do is to call an exterminator.

Brian, my bedbug guy, as I affectionately call him, has the poison to kill bedbugs in every life stage. He sprays the carpet, mattress, and baseboards. Then he shakes dust thats similar to diatomaceous earth around the perimeter. It cuts the bedbugs, and they die from their injuries.

After the first treatment, we checked in about sightings and bites. When I reported seeing them and getting bites, he applied a second dose a week later. They remained until after we left that apartment. Bedbugs dont give up that easily.

I recommend you maintain a working relationship with your bedbug exterminator. Stay in contact with them to report your observations. We rent, so all I have to do is text or call him. Youll have to research costs, but it seems he has a flat rate, regardless of how many visits.

As a nature lover, I initially wanted to live harmoniously with bedbugs. When I realized no harmony comes from bugs biting me every night, I had to do something about it.

Since humans have interfered with the cycle of nature too many times, we need to take measures we might not have had to worry about in the past. Im sure bedbugs are on the rise due to our imbalanced ecosystem. Unfortunately, it came down to Us vs.Them. If you have bedbugs, youll need to take action right away. They want to survive, and theyll do anything they can to stay in your home.

Clear out your belongings, clean thoroughly, apply essential oils, and call a professional exterminator. Communicate with neighbors if you live in an apartment, condo, or duplex. Theyll likely need treatment, too. Dont give up until theyre gone. Keep the faith, even if it takes years. I hope my experience and newfound expertise will help someone else stay out of bedbug hell.

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4 Ways to Get Rid of Bed Bugs | News Break

While we have our canine method for finding bed bugs, we offer other bed bug treatment methods that are environmentally safe. Bedbugs can be a nuisance and if you have bed bugs surely you want to get rid of them as soon as you can. Were happy to assist you with your bed bugs.

New York seems to be the home to many different types of pest infestations including bed bugs. We are the preferred bed bug service in Brooklyn. Given the amount of people coming into New York annually, we do not see this problem disappearing in the near future.

This is why it is a good idea to rely on our bed bug exterminators for your service needs. We make it a point to always discuss our methods with our customers and provide them with a list of things to do before our arrival. Youll know all you need to know in order to successfully get rid of your bed bug infestation.

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Bed Bug Exterminator Brooklyn, NY | The Bed Bug Inspectors

I wouldn't wish bed bugs on my worst enemy, but I'd send friends and enemies alike to BBIG. Jon picked up the phone on the first ring and offered to be at my place the next day. He was right on time, wonderfully polite and personable, and wildly conscientious of my space and belongings. He even put little sanitary booties over his shoes.

He went over my bed very carefully, inspecting sheets, pillowcases, and blankets with an eagle eye and then folding everything with hospital-corner precision while asking me questions about when and where I'd been bitten, etc. After flipping up the mattress and examining the box spring he informed me that we did, in fact, have bedbugs (SEE, HUSBAND? I'M NOT CRAZY), and showed me how to tell the difference between bedbug droppings (ewwwww) and regular dirt.

Even though the visual inspection confirmed my suspicious, he still let Daisy out of her crate and had her check out our apartment. Naturally, she freaked the f*** out when she got to our mattress, as well as our couch and the coat closet (Jonathan said that was maybe because we had bugs in our vacuum cleaner, which we keep there).

Fortunately we were already planning to move in a couple of weeks and had heard about the truck fumigation service. Jon confirmed that we were using the right one and told me to book it independently instead of through our movers to save money. All in all, the visit took less than an hour and told me everything I needed to know.

I hope you never have to deal with the itchy crazy creepy crawlies, but if you do, call these guys.

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Bed Bug Inspection Group - 10 Photos & 56 Reviews - Pest ...

Although they can bite painlessly at any time of the day, most often they come out of hiding at night to feast on the blood of their sleeping human hosts, sometimes leaving a telltale trail of blood on bedsheets. The bugs neither hop nor jump, but they can crawl fast several feet in under a minute for such a tiny creature.

Bedbugs rarely transmit disease, although excessively scratching their itchy bites can result in secondary infections. (On the positive side, the Australian authors wrote, their scent glands secrete a substance that inhibits microbial growth and that may one day become pharmacologically useful.) Not everyone reacts to bedbug bites, so people sometimes fail to suspect them as the cause of their bites when a bedmate seems not to have been bitten.

Updated June 24, 2020

A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort and requires balancing benefits versus possible adverse events. Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. In my personal experience, he says, heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask. Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.

The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.

The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who dont typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the countrys largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.

So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was very rare, but she later walked back that statement.

Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus whether its surface transmission or close human contact is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.

A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.

The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nations job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.

Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.

If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)

If youve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.

Along with a maddening itch, knowing that bedbugs are present in ones home can drive a person crazy. The French scientists reported that sleep deprivation, insomnia or sleeplessness are commonly associated with infestation. The psychological toll can sometimes be extreme, resulting in nightmares, anxiety and an inability to function, they added.

People infested with bedbugs may become socially isolated, the Australians wrote. With some individuals, even when the problem is solved, the psychological trauma can develop into a delusionary state, whereby the patients feel bites and insects crawling on them even if the bedbugs have been eliminated.

Preventing exposure in the first place is the best approach to bedbug control, although I honestly cant imagine following all the precautionary measures experts suggest in every new place I may sit or sleep. Upon arrival in a hotel room, the advice goes, place your luggage unopened on a rack (not on a bed, floor or upholstered chair). Before unpacking, check the room for telltale bedbug signs like tiny brown spots of their droppings on the sheets and mattress. With your cellphone at the ready, use the room key card or a credit card to run along mattress seams, cracks in the headboard and footboard and folds of upholstered furniture and immediately (act fast, they move quickly) take a picture of any bugs you find to show the manager.

In multiple dwellings, bedbugs can climb from one apartment to the others above or below in the row, so let neighbors know if your apartment becomes infested and seek professional help to eradicate the bugs without delay. One thing you dont have to do is throw out your clothing, bedding or even the furniture. Launder whatever can be washed in very hot water (140 degrees Fahrenheit a setting higher than most water heaters) and consult a licensed professional about treating suspect furniture. Avoid pest control products that make exaggerated claims; use only pesticides that have been registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.

Most important: Avoid bringing the bugs into your home by resisting the temptation to rescue furniture others have discarded. And dont tempt others; seal all bedding and cushioned furnishings in plastic when you throw it out.

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The Pandemic May Spare Us From Another Plague: Bedbugs - The New York Times

If you are concerned you have a bed bug infestation, look for physical signs of their presence. Bed bugs love to hide in small, dark spaces and typically come out to feed (generally on human blood) after dark although they will come out in daylight if hungry enough. The Environmental Protection Agency states that indications of an infestation can include seeing shed exoskeletons of bed bugs, rusty spots on your bedding (which are either bug droppings or bloodstains), live bed bugs, bed bug egg casings, a sweet and musty odor (if the infestation is severe), and evidence of bites on your skin.

To spot bed bugs, look in and along mattress seams and bedding, in curtain and furniture folds, inside cracks or crevices in the walls, behind picture frames and mirrors, under loose wallpaper seams, on recently used luggage or backpacks, inside electronics, and inside clothing or cluttered areas such as closets. If you see signs of bed bugs, be careful not to disturb them too much as you dont want them scattering to other parts of your house.

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Did This Brooklyn Artist Release Bed Bugs at the Trump Hotel?

A scourge, a pest and very hard to get rid of, its safe to say that bedbugs are resoundingly disliked by those within the hospitality industry and by travelers themselves. But as Gothamist reports, it seems that these ugly bugs have now become something of an artists muse. Theyre anintegral part of a video installation by Brooklyn-based artist Duke Riley, whose latest work, Non-Essential Consultants, Inc., is being presented at Pioneer Works in New York Citys Red Hook neighborhood until November 24th.

Screenshot: Gothamist

At the heart of the video installationwhich, according to Rileys website, combines narrative and documentary filmmaking is footage of a man who appears to be artist Duke Riley. That man has a suitcase full of what the artist has confirmed to be live bedbugs in a room that looks an awful lot like one of the rooms at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC. Then that man, whoever he is, releases those bedbugs into the hotel room.

The striking similarities were first noticed by Gothamistwho asked Riley about the similarities. And Riley didnt really answer the question, saying:I would never personally encourage a person to infest a hotel with bedbugs and I never have. I would imagine that there are probably people out there that think about doing things like that. There are probably people out there that dont think about doing things like that.

It does bear mentioning that Duke Riley did release thousands of pigeons from a decommissioned naval ship in the Brooklyn Navy Yard in a public art project and that, after publication of the Gothamist article, a spokesperson for Riley released the following statement: On advice of counsel, all of the events depicted in this exhibition are a speculative dramatization and do not depict actual events.

According to Rileys website, the video portrays an allegorical history implicating a duo of outlaw operatives responsible for a bedbug outbreak in Washington, DC. Not to be confused with the actual bedbug outbreak in Washington, DC which has made the city one of the most bedbug-infested regions in America, according to the Department of Health.

The release of the bedbugs in a hotel that certainly looks like one in the heart of the nations capital is a commentary on the easily penetrable nature of the current administration. The bugs themselves, well, says Riley, I have nightmares about them. Theyre essentially a human predator. They cant reproduce without coming into contact with living human blood.

If you would like to draw more direct conclusions of who Riley is talking about, you can view this art installation at Pioneer Works in Red Hook through November 24th.

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Did This Brooklyn Artist Release Bed Bugs at the Trump Hotel?

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From National Parks to the Louvre, you can check out these 15 different places from the comfort of your own home.

Take a look around the stunning exhibits at this Smithsonian museum in Washington, D.C. You have the option to tour past exhibits like Against All Odds: Rescue at the Chilean Mine or Iceland Revealed, along with what's currently on display.

You can explore the exterior of the famous Indian mausoleum with Air Panos virtual tour. It allows you to easily jump to different vantage points of the Taj Mahal and see them from a birds eye view.

Constructing this massive piece of architecture took more than 1800 years. You can visit this historical landmark without leaving your couch by heading here.

Google Arts & Culture lets you take a peek inside this art museum in Los Angeles. With the zoom feature, you can probably get even closer to the artwork than if you were to visit the Getty in person.

Looking at fine art has never been so simple. On the Louvres website you can choose to explore several different exhibits such as The Advent of the Artist, Remains of the Louvres Moat, and more.

Now you can skip the crowds and still tour inside the Vatican. This virtual tour allows you to see the landmark's museums such as the Pio Clementino, Raphael's Rooms, and others.

You can't take a photo of the Sistine Chapel in personit's not allowedbut you can tour it virtually. Click here, and look skyward to see Michelangelos masterpiece.

Route 66 was the United Statess first all-weather highway, running from Illinois to California. Now you can get your kicks on Google Street View of Route 66.

Are you not entertained? You will be as you click around this virtual tour of this ancient arena.

Constructed in 1624, the Palace of Versailles contains countless rooms you could easily spend hours walking through. And now you can spend hours leisurely meandering through the hallswithout the crowdsby heading here.

If youve ever wanted to journey to two of the world's most active volcanoes, now is your chance. After a short video introduction, you can take a guided virtual tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

There's still a lot of mystery surrounding Stonehenge, a prehistoric stone monument near Wiltshire, England, whose construction dates back to 3000 CE. When you visit the site virtually, you can get a close-up view of the stones, zoom in on carvings, and watch educational videos about them.

Built in an old railway station, the Muse dOrsay in Paris is the place to go to look at work by Vincent Van Gogh, Edgar Degas, Gustav Klimt, and many other artists. Check out their work by heading here.

If youre sitting on your couch, do yourself a favor and take a minute to roam around Yosemite National Park. You can hike to the top of Half Dome, see Nevada Falls, and even star gaze in the park.

Survey the awe-inspiring achievement of the Great Pyramids at Giza from above.

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Planning a Vacation? Here's How to Make Sure You Don't Bring Any Bed Bugs Home With You - Mental Floss