Accessing Services: Fighting Bedbugs

New York’s bedbug problem is worsening: Nearly 10,000 bedbug complaints were called in to the city in 2008, reflecting a 33 percent increase over the previous year, according to an article this week in the Daily News. This figure doesn’t even include New Yorkers who hired a private exterminator to deal with their bedbug problem!

About Bedbugs
According to the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's (DOHMH) bedbug fact sheet, adult bedbugs are flat, rust-colored and about the size of an apple seed, though after they bite their bodies may swell and become bright red. They live in mattresses and other furniture, but they may travel on clothes or in luggage.  Bedbugs are not known to spread disease, but they leave itchy red welts on the skin. They also can live for months without food and water. They frequently come out at night, and they may travel from apartment to apartment through small cracks and crevices in floors and walls. The city Department of Education has a "bedbug protocol" in case a suspected bedbug is sighted on a child or otherwise seen in school.

What should I do if I discover bedbugs in my home? 

If you live in public housing, contact the Centralized Call Center at (718) 707-7771. The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) provides useful online bedbug information, including what you should expect when an exterminator arrives.

 

DOHMH recommends that home owners hire licensed exterminators for the job. Be aware that the pest control company should make follow-up visits to ensure the pests are gone. The city also offers tips for choosing and working with a pest control company.  

More information:
Ridding your home of bedbugs is no job for amateurs. DOHMH warns that you should  “be very cautious about using pesticides yourself.”  If you decide to go the do-it-yourself route, DOHMH suggests the following precautions:

• Only use pesticides clearly labeled for bedbug extermination. Never use a cockroach spray, ant spray or any other pesticide that does not list bedbugs on the label.
• Follow label instructions exactly.
• Never spray pesticides on top of mattresses or sofas or in areas where children or pets are present.
• Never purchase or use a product without a manufacturer’s label, and never buy pesticides from street vendors.
• Avoid using 'insecticide bombs' and 'foggers' in your home. These products can spread hazardous chemicals throughout your home and are not likely to be effective against bedbugs.

If you still need help, please call the Office of the Public Advocate at 212-669-7250.

Comments

[Bed Bugs]

Very useful information, thanks alot