Winnipeg Bed Bug
Bug and Scrub and the private sector
A number of jurisdictions and authorities have recognized the importance of tenant cooperation and preparation in regards to successful bed bug treatments. If a tenant does not cooperate the likelihood of success is very low. As such the Manitoba government instituted “Bug and Scrub” program which assists social assistance people with an inability to cooperate […]
How to avoid getting bed bugs.
Several years ago our friends, who live in a 4000 square foot 11 bedroom rooming house, discovered bed bugs. Their house church was having a meeting in their living room when a bed bug climbed out of a bible and was noticed by the group. Most people did not know what it was but a […]
bed bugs and suit cases
Travellers are at great risk of bed bug infestation and some exterminator companies suggest that the suit case should be, upon returning home, opened in the bathtub and inspected for bugs. The theory is that the bugs will be more obvious on the white surface and less likely to escape the smooth surface. The suit […]
Observations of how bed bugs climb up and down
We have already noted that bed bugs do not like to climb down slippery surfaces. But will they climb down other surfaces? The answer is mixed. I set up a piece of cardboard in the experiment pan and noted that the bugs climbed the middle of the cardboard readily but tended to climb down the […]
post script to my video “how long bed bugs live – some discrepancies”
In my video I outlined a chart in Usinger’s book (Monograph of Cimicidae) that showed that bed bugs live more time or less time depending on the temperature. I also suggested that my bugs did not live as long as they should given the relatively ideal temperatures and wondered why that might be. As […]
Field observations of bed bug behaviour in starvation settings
I have had the privilege of treating an owner occupied 11 bedroom rooming house for bed bugs. Most of the rooms are reserved for renters with part of the home occupied by the host family. Bed bugs were discovered in in one room and a search of the home revealed that there were bugs in […]
How do starving bed bugs react to a nearby host?
Over the years I have done a number of experiments on starving bed bugs. When I walk into the experiment room during the day the bugs are usually inactive. You might note the odd bug or two moving about but the majority are stationary. If you sit and watch them (from about 2 feet […]
A preliminary evaluation of spraying insect repellant (DEET) on a bed bug infested bed in multi family settings.
About 1 month ago a fellow who lives on the first floor of my apartment block discovered bed bugs in his bed and sprayed DEET on the bugs (we will call this infestation A). I recognized the danger of this treatment and took the opportunity to do my annual bed bug check a little early. […]
Bed bugs and the chicken dance
When professional persons such as health care workers must visit a suite that has bed bugs it has been suggested that stomping the feet and vigorously shaking the clothes will remove the bugs. I refer to this maneuver as the “chicken dance.” But is this dance effective? The chicken dance is premised on the idea […]
The smell of moth balls means bed bugs are nearby
I have noticed over the years that certain cultures use moth balls as a bed bug repellant. While these moth balls are essentially useless against bed bugs they serve as excellent warning signs to exterminators and landlords. If you walk through an apartment block and notice a moth ball smell it is very likely that […]