…Enough to make you stop Reading?

So, Bed Bugs have been making the news yet again within the last couple of weeks because of their presence in the libraries. But, is it enough for us to stop going to the libraries all together?

If we allow the possibility of taking bed bugs home with us to stop us from doing some of our favourite things then most of us wouldn’t be going to see the new Quentin Tarantino movie in theatres this weekend; or check out that awesome new crime thriller by our favourite authors in the library, or even decide to drudge through the snow instead of taking the TTC.  

But not to worry, Toronto Public Libraries have measures in place to reduce the risks of you taking bedbugs home.  However, if you want to be proactive, here are a few tips for you to take into consideration: 

• Inspect the book/s before taking them home. Check for black spots (fecal matter). Try banging them against the table so that those suckers can fall out. Library staff would have already done a visual inspection once it was returned by the previous borrower, but doing a double check never hurts anyone, right? 
• Keep books in a Ziploc bag when it’s not in use.  Bed bugs aren’t so small that you can’t see them, so IF there are any, they will be visible.
• Avoid sitting on soft chairs in the library if you suspect that your community library is infested.  Bed bugs don’t have anywhere to hide on the hard chairs.
• Throw your clothing in the dryer on high heat setting for 45 minutes if you have been sitting in the library for a while, you know, just to take away that nagging, suspicious feeling in the back of your mind.

Just remember that as long as we take proper precautions we don’t ever have to limit ourselves when it comes to the things we love to do.

MOVING IN?

Picture this:  You are extremely excited because you were moving into a brand new apartment that was so much nicer and ‘cooler’ than your last apartment. Fast forward to a month later, and you find that you are stressed, and confused because suddenly- it seems- you have hundreds of pesky guests taking over your apartment- namely bed bugs.

You may ask yourself: “How can I have bed bugs when I just moved in? Or, you may also say: “I didn’t see them when I first saw the apartment, where did they come from?”

The answer is not so simple: The unit may have had an issue before you got there;  another unit in your old/new building has bugs and that tenant dragged their belongings through the hall, shaking out the bugs as they went;  the moving van you used may have been rented by someone with bed bugs ..And the list could go on.

It’s within your right to inspect an apartment before you decide to rent it.  When inspecting, remember to check these areas where bed bugs are almost always hiding.

•    If there is a bed - inspect the headboard, bed rails, frame, mattress corners and even the box spring. Move the headboard from the wall and inspect there as well.

•    Seams and crevices of furniture
•    Cracks in the walls
•    Uncovered switch plates
•    Behind picture frames
•    Spaces between baseboards
•     The radiator- more specifically, underneath and behind it

Sometimes, it’s hard to see bed bugs with the naked eye; so I suggest that you take a magnifying glass and a flashlight with you. Remember these little suckers love dark places.

For the move, wrap as much of your furniture in plastic as possible.  Avoid dragging any items across a carpeted area that has multiple users.  Invest in a good quality mattress cover and put it on prior to the move and run it through the dryer after you arrive.  Line the base of the moving truck with plastic and use your own blankets for cushioning- make sure to run them through the dryer upon arrival. 

It doesn’t hurt to give the new place a good steam clean before moving your things in. Steaming kill bed bugs (even the eggs too!)  and also kills allergens in the atmosphere. If that’s not added value, I don’t know what is. 

Check out this article from THE STAR for more information: Montreal takes aim at spread of bedbugs on moving day

“How did these little buggers infiltrate my immaculate home?”

“How did these little buggers infiltrate my immaculate home?”  This is the most common question;  especially, if you live in a detached house.  My son works for us part-time and he knows…everywhere is suspect!  Movie theatres, restaurants with comfie couches, waiting rooms, airplanes, hotel rooms and so on.  Anywhere there are people there is a possibility to be exposed to bed bugs.

It is our own fault.  No one likes to talk about it.  It is the big taboo of the new millennium.  Research says that in 5 years 1in 6 people will have some type of direct relationship with bed bugs.  This maybe a family member or personally but no one is immune.

Last year my daughter was in residence at a great University.  Her girlfriend on the floor below had been called into a meeting; one of the rooms had confirmed bed bugs.  It was “strongly implied” that they should keep it on the QT.  I contacted the school to ask what their protocol was.  It took 3 emails and a personal call to get a response, which by the way was just lip service.  I was assured the incident was limited to one room-yah, right-and that their PCO was contacted, blah-blah blah.   I was assured that all the rooms would be treated over the Christmas break.  Please… the floor wasn’t even vacuumed!  And that is another thing; the entire residence shares the vacuum, no cross contamination there.

Every kid in that residence pays over 10k for 8 months and they are the so called “nice” people.  Not mentally ill, under privileged or whatever stigma we want to attach to the unfortunate individuals who find themselves with bedbugs.   They come from good homes that likely had to deal with a bedbug problem over the summer. 

No one gets a pass when it comes to bedbugs.  If you have red blood and breathe, you are a good candidate.  We need to start accepting this and talking about it so we can find a solution before our aging population moves into more multi dwelling residences.  Cause I gotta tell you, it is one thing for my teenage daughter to deal with bedbugs, it is quite another for my 90 year old father!

Do you have bed bugs?

Let’s face it we have all become a little paranoid about bed bugs.  I moved a girlfriend into her new fancy address apartment and in the dumpster I noticed several mattresses and frames.  I went over to give them a look over, they didn’t look that old and I was shooed away by some gentleman so I can’t confirm, but …….

Not everyone reacts to the bites.  We often hear people saying that only one partner gets bitten.  That is likely not true.  Both people in a bed are likely getting bitten but only one person is sensitive to the bites.  It seems that a high percentage (maybe even up to 70%) do not react to bed bug bites.  No wonder these sneaky little guys are invading with a vengeance.  

If you are worried but not sure if you have bed bugs there are a few things you can try.  The easiest is to make sure that you always have solid, light coloured sheets on your bed.  Change them every 4-7 days and give them a very close inspection when changing.  You are looking for black smears (fecal matter), little blood droplets and the bugs themselves. Also, flip your mattress once a month and inspect the boxspring for evidence as well.

Empty cat food or tuna tins dusted with baby powder, cornstarch or Vaseline placed under the legs of your bed and couch will trap any bugs.  You will need to inspect the bugs, this trap won’t discriminate you may find spiders and other creepy crawlies.  Double sided tape is a good tool but it will need to be a high stick quality to trap bed bugs.  You can stick it on the box frame, head board or wall near the head of the bed. 

After using your dryer, which, if you are in the least bit worried about bed bugs you should make sure to use at high heat for at least 45 minutes with every load.  Check the lint trap closely for bed bug carcasses.  The same trick can be used with your vacuum or dust buster.   I would only rip open a sealed vacuum bag if you are really worried.  My vacuum doesn’t use a bag, so I check regularly when I dump it.

Good luck and here’s to not finding anything.  This is one hunting trip you want to come back from empty handed!

BED BUGS: THE OPPORTUNISTS

The well known stigma regarding bed bugs is that they are only present around “dirty people” or people and areas surrounded or saturated with grime, poverty and crowded with people. And while it may be true that bed bugs are often found where there is overcrowding such as hotels, dormitories, group homes, to name a few; the simple reason is this: 

BED BUGS ARE OPPORTUNISTS!  

All they want/need is blood; so why would they not be in places where they can get as much of it as possible?

That being said: dirt and grime does not attract bed bugs; blood does. So, let’s squash that notion. Anyone, clean or otherwise, can possibly become infested with bed bugs.  All it takes is for us to go somewhere ( long or shot period of time) and put our luggage down- or even sit there for a while- and take a bed bug home.  But not to worry, here are a few tips to minimize your risk of getting an infestation:

•   If you stayed in a hotel or another home, inspect your clothing, luggage and  other personal belongings for hitch-hiking bed bugs; before entering your home.

•   If you had guests in your home, inspect the bed and bedding as well as upholstered furniture for signs of bed bugs.

• Wash all bedding, clothing and other washable items they may have been exposed on the hottest water temperature and dry them on the highest heat setting of your dryer. 

So, while bed bugs are opportunistic little buggers, you can be an opportunist too by taking as much knowledge as possible. After all, the more information you have, the better you are equipped to outwit the bed bug. 

Until next time.

Bed bug Info sites: 

• http://www.toronto.ca/health/bedbugs/ 
•  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_bug
• http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-Bed-Bugs 

   

Introductions

Hi All:

Welcome to Premium Prep’s Blogspot!

When we decided to start this blog, it wasn’t to sell Premium Prep; but to help our clients in any capacity while they are dealing with a Bed Bug infestation (or any type of infestation for that matter). 

When I started working for Premium Prep, it came to my attention that there are many people out there that had no idea what it entails to prepare their homes for a fumigation when dealing with these nocturnal creatures. They also had no idea that there are companies that offer these services so they don't have to deal with the tedious task. 

And that is what drove the urge to start this blog. We want to give you, our clients (and potential clients, too) all the information necessary so that you don't have to stress and panic and wonder if this nightmare will ever end... And trust me ... it can end..but it takes work. So hang in there!

We will be posting once a month with new information for you and also answer any questions you may have. We welcome your comments and experiences so don’t be afraid to add your 2 cents as well!

So, I implore you to use this blog as a soundboard, an information center, a sharing hub or even browse and look at the pretty pictures!  We would love to have your input… Let’s learn from each other!