Bedbug infestations are a growing nuisance in America. Office workers have to deal with them at some work offices and some homeowners have the problem at home too. Bedbugs feast on human blood. And the bites they cause create intense itching on humans.
Most people are grossed out by the thought of bedbugs. Most jobs are challenging enough. Imagine if you also had to handle the problem of feeling like bedbugs are crawling on you at work. Eek!
Bedbug Terrorism?
And now there is a case that involves someone allegedly trying to deliberately spread bedbugs to a building. USA Today reports that recently someone left a bag full of bedbugs in an office hall in a building at the Argonne Armory municipal office building. Des Moines, Iowa does not have any leads into who may have done this dastardly deed.
Who would deliberately attempt to spread bedbugs throughout a town’s municipal building? Could it have been someone with a grudge against high property taxes or some other town issue? Or could this be some kind of new attack that a domestic terrorist is using to spread panic?
Bedbugs are Moving Into Many Homes
It must be horrible to have a bedbug infestation in the home. These creepy critters are hard to get rid of from what I hear. Sometimes it takes multiple exterminations or heat treatments and throwing out all the furniture and rugs to get rid of the bedbugs. It can be quite costly to fix a bedbug infestation.
The Traveler and Bedbugs
Frequent travelers can keep picking them up in hotel rooms. The little critters settle into suitcases and clothing. They then hitch a ride from the hotel and into the home when the traveler gets home.
When traveling check behind the bed board of the bed. If you see tiny critters skittering about ask for a new room. The bedbugs can also reside in the box spring or mattress of a bed. It is wise to avoid putting a suitcase of purse on any hotel room bed to avoid the item picking up bedbugs.
Bedbugs in Public Places
Many towns and cities are having area wide bedbug infestations. Places like movies, trains and buses, restaurants, libraries, bars, and other places where large groups of people congregate are finding bedbugs on the premises. Some movie theaters in New York City have been ripping out and replacing movie theater seats that were infested with bedbugs. If someone encounters bedbugs while out in public it is likely a few of the pests will be traveling home with them on the clothing.
Be watchful when shopping. Bedbugs are about the size of an apple seed, reports USA Today. The adult bedbug can be spotted by the human eye. If you notice any tiny creatures on clothing at a store head for the exit quickly before they jump onto you. Some bedbugs may be infesting stores because they arrive on the clothing that is manufactured overseas. This is just another reason to buy American made products.
Several stores in NYC have had bedbug infestations recently, notes CBS. The stores include Abercrombie & Fitch, Victoria’s Secret, and Hollister. No matter how fancy the store or location, any place can have some bedbugs hanging out.
Bedbug Pandemic?
Tim McCoy, of Virginia Tech University, tells the London Times that “It would not be extreme or hysterical to call this a pandemic. We haven’t reached the halfway point in bedbug numbers, they’re still on the rise.”
Sources:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2010-08-20-bedbugs20_CV_N.htm
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/08/19/health/main6787155.shtml
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article7140607.ece
