HUD Guidelines on Bed Bug Control

Dugas Pest Control provides extermination services for real estate inspections Bed bugs can be a serious problem, especially in densely populated areas (such as large cities) as well as buildings such as theaters, hotels, apartment and other housing complexes where people are in close proximity to each other.

Housing apartments and complexes (condos, federal housing, nursing homes, etc.) present a particular set of problems because of the shared walls between rooms.  Bed bugs can easily migrate from room to room, making containment difficult without sealing up an entire wing for treatment.

So if you live in one of these larger buildings, or happen to own or manage one, you should be aware of the HUD (Housing and Urban Development) guidelines for dealing with bed bug infestations, and they adjust these guidelines to meet the current conditions of infestations.

Below are the following guidelines for how HUD plans to keep bed bugs out of homes:

–      Raising awareness through education on the prevention of bed bugs

–      Inspecting infested areas and the spaces around these areas

–      After a trip, checking for signs of infestation on clothes and luggage

–      When secondhand items are purchased, they should be inspected thoroughly before they are brought into the home

–      If an infestation is suspected, the pest should be properly identified

–      All pest infestations should be recorded with the date and location

–      Clutter should be kept clean to minimize bed bug hiding spots

–      Eliminating bed bug habitats

–      All pest infestations should be cleaned appropriately

–      Pesticides should be used according to their label instructions

–      Following up with pesticide treatments and inspections

There are also some differences across public housing, so it’s important for tenants to be familiar with the responsibilities of the owner. For example, The Office of Public and Indian Housing says that tenants who report a bed bug problem should be contacted within 24 hours of the report and will receive information about the control and prevention of bed bugs. If an infestation is confirmed, treatment will start within 5 days, and treatment will be covered.

For tenants that reside in apartments or condominiums, it’s important they review their contract to be familiar with the details of bed bug infestations, such as whether the tenant or landlord is responsible for the treatments.

With Section 8 homes however, the contract is less detailed, and measures for bed bug infestations must be discussed with the owner.

Where Does Louisiana Rank on the Worst Bed Bugs List?

Dugas Pest Control provides bed bug extermination services at commercial properties in Louisiana When it comes to the itchy, crawly, blood-sucking bed bugs that keep people up at night, it’s always the big cities that are hardest hit. There are two reasons for this. The first is that there are more people living and working in large cities, creating a greater chance for bed bug infestations. Second, people travel to large cities, so there is a higher chance that someone from another state or country will bring bed bugs along with them.

Bed Bugs Found in Large Cities across the U.S.

So where does Louisiana rank on the worst bed bug lists? For once, none of the major Louisiana cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge are near the top of a negative list – in this case, the worst states for bed bug infestations.

The states that continually top the charts according to pest control companies include the following:

  • Cincinnati
  • New York City
  • Chicago
  • Detroit
  • Washington DC
  • Columbus, OH
  • San Francisco

These findings are based on the number of treatments that have been needed in these locations.

A Growing Problem in Louisiana

Even though we aren’t high on the “worst” list, Louisiana is not exempt from bed bug infestations, and these problems are becoming more common across the world, Louisiana included. At Dugas Pest Control, we work solely with Louisiana residents, so we’ve seen our fair share of bed bug infestations, even if they still fall under the radar compared to cities like New York City and Chicago. Nevertheless, all bed bug infestations are the same: difficult to get rid of.

Louisiana’s warm, sub-tropical climate is always favorable to bug species, and with large cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge where many people travel to, there is always a risk of bed bugs. Although we don’t want to it to happen, we expect to see more cases of infestations over time. In 2010, the bed bug problem started creeping toward our state. This same year, there were 16 LA hotels that had complaints against them for bed bugs.

So when asked the question of whether or not Louisiana will be as badly affected by bed bugs as large cities like Boston or Cincinnati one day, we can only assume that it’s a strong possibility.

Baton Rouge bed bug info

You might have seen the news recently about the growing concern of bed bugs mass contamination across major cities such as New York, but does Baton Rouge really need to worry about bed bugs? After all, Baton Rouge is thousands of miles away, what harm can bed bugs really do here?

 

Unfortunately, bed bugs are already a problem here in Baton Rouge, but perhaps not on the large scale that they are in older, more densely populated cities like New York.

The other unsettling fact is that even if you don’t have bed bugs now, if you travel or have a visitor who brings bed bugs into your home a problem can quickly develop!

Due to their rapid reproduction cycles, if a bed bug contamination is not contained within 24 hours they can quickly spread throughout entire houses or buildings. Bed bugs are hard to view with the naked eye, but are able to travel in clothes, suitcases and cars for easy transportation. This means that a once they find a great feeding ground, such as your bed or home, bed bugs can be very hard to control thereafter.

Identifying bed bugs in Baton Rouge

Since bed bugs are tiny, microscopic bugs – they are very difficult to see or detect with the naked eye. However, you can look for signs of their existence in your environment by checking bedding and pajamas for specs of blood or bumps on your body.

Even though they are called “bed bugs,” they can be found anywhere in a residential or commercial building, although they are commonly found where people spend longer lengths of time stationary (such as the bed). People often pick up bed bugs when traveling, staying in hotels but sightings have even been found in homes, hotels and movie theaters all across Louisiana.

 

Spotting or specs of blood is the number one sign you have bed bugs in your home. Occasionally, you might have an allergic reaction to the bed bugs and may notice small bumps or bites on your body which may include a mild irritation.

But no matter what, if you notice blood, or bites, on your body or bedding you should immediately contact a pest control professional such as Dugas Pest Control in Baton Rouge to confirm and eradicate the bed bug problem before they populate inside your home and become out of control.

Minimizing the spread of bed bugs

In order to prevent them from taking up residence in your home or office in the first place, consider the following tips:

Make sure you don’t have fleas or ticks first. Many people who think they have bed bugs actually have a different pest problem such as fleas or ticks. A pest inspection can help make this determination.
If you travel, use the luggage stands in hotels for your suitcases or bags. Try to keep them off the floors and bedding.
When you return home from trips, wash your clothing on the hot cycle (and heat dry if possible) to kill any bed bugs you may have picked up during a trip
Avoid picking up used or discarded furniture such as sofas or bedding if you are not sure where they came from or if you have concerns they may have bed bugs. Often, those who have bed bugs get rid of their furniture or mattresses.

Dugas Pest Control Services in Baton Rouge

If you are concerned you have bed bugs in your Baton Rouge home or business, it is urgent that you call Dugas Pest Control. For best results you should contact us as soon as you suspect a possible bed bug infestation due to bed bugs rapid reproduction cycle. By calling immediately you can help prevent further contamination across Baton Rouge and Louisiana.