Condo Media - November 2012 - 27

• shoes • handbags • furniture (chairs, couches, dressers, beds)

Hiding Spots for Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are attracted to their hosts by carbon dioxide and body heat and tend to live within eight to 10 feet of where people sleep or spend time at rest. However, larger infestations may become scattered throughout the room or a building over time. Common hiding spots include: • seams of mattresses and box springs • furniture such as bed frames, headboards, night stands and dressers • items such as lamps, clocks, telephones, etc. • flooring, carpets, baseboards and wood trim • curtains and upholstery • wallpaper and picture frames • electrical switches and outlets • clothing, clutter or objects near a bed • sofas or chairs used for sleeping or long periods of rest

Bed Bug Bites
Bed bugs usually bite people while they sleep at night. Symptoms after being bitten vary with each individual, but many victims develop an itchy red welt or localized swelling. Up to 50 percent of bite victims have little or no reaction to bed bugs and some people may experience delayed reactions as long as several weeks after being bitten. Others may have allergic reactions or develop rashes from the bites. Bed bugs are not known to transmit disease.

Heat treatment for bed bugs involves raising the room temperature to above 121 degrees Fahrenheit, killing all life cycles of bed bugs.

which raises the room temperature to above 121 degrees Fahrenheit, killing all life cycles of bed bugs. In addition, PMPs can provide prevention and monitoring tools, as well as training for residents to learn how to prevent bed bugs from being re-introduced into the condo association.

Signs of Bed Bugs
Detecting the presence of bed bugs is easy if you know what to look for, though it’s helpful to have a magnifying glass and flashlight to confirm an infestation. Generally found on sheets, mattresses and box springs, bed bug signs include: • the actual bed bug • dried feces, which appears as dark spotting and staining • rusty or reddish-colored blood smears • eggs, egg shell casings and/or brownish molted skins

Bed Bug Inspection — Consider a Canine
Early detection of bed bugs is critical, but it’s only the beginning. As soon as bed bugs are suspected, a thorough inspection should be made to determine the extent of the infestation and the threat to nearby condo units. Pest management companies that use certified bed bug detecting dogs for inspections are preferred because these trained canines can “sniff out” bed bug eggs, nymphs and adults more accurately, more quickly and more efficiently than humans, saving valuable time and money.

Bed Bug Infestations and Cost
For homeowners and property managers alike, this all raises the question of cost and who pays to get rid of the bed bugs. There are numerous legal questions about whether the unit owner or the condo association is responsible for bed bug eradication. According to the New York Law Journal and Richard Siegler and Eva Talel, partners at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan in New York, there are good reasons why a condo association should assume responsibility. First, establishing a relationship with a single pest management company to deal with all infested units will help ensure consistent service and a more successful outcome. Second, if unit owners decide to take the DIY route to save money, they might end up making the infestation worse or spreading it to other units. Third, centralizing pest control through the association will help maintain the building’s reputation and show prospective purchasers that any current or potential bed bug issues are under control. Finally, paying for bed bug control services up front

Bed Bug Feeding
Bed bugs do not attach to hair or skin or live on people like lice, but generally come out at night to prey on their hosts and feed on any exposed skin. Humans are the preferred host, but bed bugs will also feed on other hosts, such as dogs and cats.

Bed Bug Treatment — Conventional or Heat
As soon as bed bugs are confirmed, it’s time to discuss a customized treatment strategy and follow-up plan, including the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. Many reputable companies offer both conventional pesticide treatment and heat treatment (using electric or propane heaters),

CONDO MEDIA • NOVEMBER 2012

Condo Media - November 2012

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