Bed Bug on CD, can you see it? Hint: look for the little red dot.

A report at Columbus’ 10TV News  explained how bed bugs were found in emergency vehicles including fire-trucks and ambulances. Also, bed bugs were recently found inside the Ohio Lottery Office.  Reasons these stories are being reported on is because they are government entities, which can attract public attention. Just imagine how many other places of work are being infested! I’m not telling this to scare you, but to make you aware.

We inspect far too many places where there is not a pro-active plan in place to deal with the bed bug epidemic. If organizations would have taken simple, and relatively inexpensive steps it may save them from embarrassment and large extermination expenses. At the minimum, management in all organizations should inform staff of:

1. What bed bugs are, what they look like, and evidence of what they leave behind.
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/publications/Bed_Bugs_CDC-EPA_Statement.htm
https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/alpha_fs.htm
2. Who to contact if evidence of bed bugs, or live bed bugs are found.
//36o.cc2.myftpupload.com or 614-747-3463
3. Pro-Active visual bed bug inspections. What to do if bed bugs are found at home.

This is the first step in taking the pro-active steps necessary. The next step is to schedule inspections using NESDCA certified bed bug scent detection teams. Even with the best trained staff, bed bugs can hide in the tiniest nooks and crannies without leaving noticeable evidence behind. It is much easier and costs much less to eradicate bed bugs in early infestations. Studies have shown that licensed pest control personnel are only around 35% accurate. Also, some employees may not be aware they have bed bugs at their homes. If an employee does know they have bed bugs at home, they may be worried about what employers may think or do with this knowledge.