Bed Bug Treatment Gone Wrong

It appears nightly news is now regularly including stories on bed bugs. Right here in New York, just south of our main office in New York City bed bugs are spreading like crazy. From hotels, movie theaters, stores, hospitals and now schools, it is scary to think where they may show up next.

Our local ABC news aired a story about bed bugs in a NYC School. A exterminator was hired to service a school for bed bugs, however he did much more. Upon returning to the school, teachers found fluid from the exterminator's product on their desks, children's desks, the floors, on books, etc. When reading this, the most important thing to do before hiring a pest professional or anyone, is to check their credentials.

The National Pest Management Association Lists Tips for Finding A Pro:

1. Always deal with a qualified and licensed pest management company. Consider asking to see the license or other credentials of the pest control professional that comes to solve your pest problem.

2.Evaluate pest control companies that are members of national, state or local pest management associations.

3.Consider an NPMA QualityPro company.
4.Ask friends and neighbors to recommend pest control companies they have used successfully and how satisfied they were with the service.
5.Be wary of the exterminator who comes to your home uninvited and offers to give your house a free inspection for pests. He or she may try to scare you into authorizing immediate and costly treatments.
6.If a sizable amount of money is involved, get bids from several pest management companies.
7.Don't rush a decision. Since you are paying for professional knowledge as well as skillful application of pesticides, look for someone whose judgment you can trust.
8. Before signing a contract, be sure to fully understand the nature of the household pest to be exterminated, the extent of the infestation, and the work necessary to solve the problem.
9.Find out if the pest control company has liability insurance to cover any damages to your house or furnishings during treatment.
10.If a guarantee is given, know what it covers, how long it lasts, what you must do to keep it in force, and what kind of continuing control, prevention and management are necessary.
11.Buy value, not price. Beware of exterminators that offer bargains that sound too good to be true.
12.Homeowners can call state pest control regulatory agencies for information regarding the status of pest management companies. In most states the regulatory agency is the State Department of Agriculture.

Although those tips apply to general pest control, what about bed bugs? How to you choose a professional, BEdBugCentral provides these helpful tips:

Not all pest control companies are created equal and are equipped and knowledgeable enough to treat bed bug infestations. Listed below you will find questions we recommend you ask before contracting a pest control company to treat your bed bug infestation.

Questions to Ask

Is the company licensed and insured?

Although this question may seem basic, it is a very important question many people may forget to ask. Pest control operators (PCO) may need to work with pesticides and chemicals, which are only effective when used properly by a licensed PCO who has been trained to do so.

What experience does the company have treating bed bug infestations at structures or sites similar to your own?

Be sure to confirm that the pest control company has not only treated bed bug infestations before, but ones at structures similar to your own. As you learn more about bed bugs, you will realize that the way an infestation is treated varies by site and structure (ie. apartments, rowhomes, etc.).

Get references.

Make sure to not only ask if they have treated infestations at structures similar to your own, but to ask for references of the previous work they have done. Make sure to follow up with these references before taking further action with the pest control company.

What is the plan of action to handle infestations?

Do not hire a bed bug company unless they can provide you with some type of bed bug protocol for your type of structure beforehand and/or after the inspection.

Does the company endorse or require the use of encasements?

We believe that the most effective bed bug eradication plans require the use of encasements on all mattresses and box springs. For more then one reason, we believe this to greatly aid in managing and treating a bed bug infestation.
Is the pricing a flat fee does it vary by job?

We think that every bed bug infestation is unique and should be treated that way. We may be wary of a flat fee pricing system because depending on the level of your infestation, the pricing may or may not be fair.

Other things to keep in mind

IPM

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to pest management that involves using both chemical and non-chemical measures to manage pest infestations. This approach is used to manage and reduce the amount of pesticide damage done to the environment.

Vacuum and Steam.

The use of vacuum and steam has proven to be a very effective and useful tool in bed bug management program. This is usually part of an IPM protocol, and is an effective alternative to pesticides.

Educational Materials

A knowledgeable pest control company will provide you with educational materials educating you on the behavior and biology of bed bugs, and what you can do to aid in the eradication process. They should also provide you with directions, written or spoken, or what to do during treatments.

For more specific information on how to choose a pest control company, you can email BedBugCentral at questions@bedbugcentral.com or contact Craig Thomas Pest Control at info@callcraig.com.

We at Craig Thomas Pest Control are proud to be members of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). NPMA an organization including many pest management companies, whose many goal its to protect the health, home and/or property from pest. Craig Thomas is even on the board of directors! As division of NPMA includes QualtiyPro. Craig Thomas Pest Control is proud to be one of the 303 companies (as of February 2010) to be QualityPro. QualityPro increases the professionalism of the pest management industry, by instituting background and reference checks on all new employees, drug testing, clear contracts and warranties among a host of other items. On top of all of these qualifications, we are BedBugFree Certified. This certification shows the commitment Craig Thomas Pest Control has in controlling bedbugs.

We are a licensed and trained in bedbug control and would like the opportunity to protect your health, home and property in the near future. For questions, contact us by phone 800-255-6777, email, twitter or facebook.

Picture Source

STUFF THE BUS

We need your help!

Craig Thomas Pest Control is very excited to join Star 93.3fm in their annual campaign to

Stuff the Bus

 against hunger. All proceeds are donated to The Regional Food Bank of the Hudson Valley.

If you are a customer...You can provide your technician with a nonperishable item at your time of service. Your technician with collect the donation.

If you are not a customer...You can still help. Come drop off a donation November 18th - November 20th at Stop & Shop on Route 9, Poughkeepsie;

 November 20th at Stop & Shop in New Paltz and Burnette Blvd in Poughkeepsie.

Help families put food on the tables as the holidays approach.

Bed Bugs: What Parents & Students Need to Know

Bed Bugs: What Parents & Students Need to Know

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are brown to reddish-brown, flat, oval insects, which feed on the blood of people while sleeping. When the bite occurs it is painless, which occur in a straight line. The area may develop into a large, itchy welt similar to a mosquito bite. Bed bugs do not transmit disease, but can cause anxiety and sleeplessness.

Bed bugs are known as hitchhikers, transferred from one infested environment to another. They travel from one place to another on clothing, bedding, luggage, furniture, backpacks, books and more.

Why bed bugs are on the rise!
Factors contributing to the resurgence of bed bugs:

• Unregulated sale, donation, importation and smuggling of second hand clothing, mattress and furniture.
• More clutter and belonging in which the bugs can hide such as, conducive building, decorating practices and turnover of occupants. 
• Denial/lack of reporting by tenants, workers, landlords, hotels, businesses, universities, etc.
• Economic expansion enabling people to travel.
• Global health officials focusing their efforts on disease vectors rather than bed bugs.
• Changing lifestyle, greater reliance on communal laundries rather than washing items at home.

Avoid getting bed bugs.
To prevent bed bugs from getting into a room, do not bring any used or discarded items into the room. If you think you were somewhere with a bedbug problem, inspect your items. Pay attention to seams, folds, zippers and any other location.

Backpacks, lunchboxes, and other items that travel to and from school should be inspected daily and sealed in plastic containers or plastic bags to prevent bedbugs from getting into them at home. During inspection look for physical bedbugs, black stains created by fecal droppings and eggs which are pearly white and 1mm in length.

Suspect bed bugs.

• Do you wake up with unexplained bug bites on your body?
• Do you see any live bed bugs? 
• Do you see dark brownish black staining on your linens or mattress?

Notify housing immediately if you suspect bed bugs. If you suspect bed bugs at home, call a licensed, trained, BedBugFree professional.

What not to do.

• Do not throw items away or remove them for your room.
• If items are moved correctly, it will prevent the spread in the hallways, other room and areas. You certainly do not want another student picking up the contaminated items and spreading the problem to a greater level.
• Do not attempt to control the bed bugs on your own.
• Contact housing immediately to allow a professional pest management provider who is trained in this area.
• Do not relocate to another room.
• Initially the first thought is to get out of the room. However, in doing so you carry the risk on carrying bed bugs on yourself and your belongings into another room. 

What you should do.

• Notify housing immediately. If home, call a licensed, trained, BedBugFree professional.
• Bed bugs can spread at a rapid rate, do not be embarrassed and notify someone immediately.
• Clean up clothes and general clutter in the room.
• Clutter provides an ideal place for bed bugs to hide and also makes bed bug service difficult.
• Bag laundry and launder in hot water.
• Laundering your clothing will reduce the spread of bed bugs. Place linens and other items in plastic bags and have laundered in hot water. Bed bugs exposure to heat will kill any insects and their eggs. Place in hot dry cycle as well. Throw bags into dumpster and place clean items in clean garbage bags.

I’m going home, what can I do.
Transporting bed bugs is definitely something to be concerned about. Limit what you bring home; bringing home items that can be placed in plastic bags. When you arrive home place items in hot dryer to kill any insects and/or eggs. Leave suitcase in garage and do not bring into home. Do inspect around zipper, folds, etc. before and after your travels.

Again most importantly, if you suspect bed bugs, do not be embarrassed take action NOW, before the problem it out of hand.

We are a licensed and trained in bedbug control and would like the opporunity to protect your health, home and property in the near future. For questions, contact us by phone 800-255-6777, email, twitter or  facebook.



We at Craig Thomas Pest Control, Inc. are grateful to: the National Pest Management Association, University of Florida,  BedBug Central, Bugs without Borders and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for pest information and/or photo images incorporated into this work. 

Bed Bugs are back!

It's no joke, bed bugs are back!

This means bed bugs are showing up more frequently everywhere and even here in the Hudson Valley. Many ask, how and why? Bed bugs have made a resurgence over the past few years due to increase travel, lack of public knowledge, resistance to pesticides and changes in pest management services.  Bed bugs are excellent hitch hikers (their nickname) and have the ability to spread at a rapid rate. Bed bugs are not fun, but there are many measures YOU can take to prevent yourself.

Bed Bug Identification:

• Small brownish insects just under a ¼ inch long.
• Oval in shape, flat and about as wide as they are long.
• Immature bed bugs are much smaller, about 1 mm and lighter in color.
• Bed bug eggs are very small, about 1 mm in size and whitish in color.
• After a blood meal, bed bugs will appear to be reddish in color.

How do I know I have bed bugs?

• Actually finding a bed bug itself.
• Finding blood stains on the bed due to the bed bug feeding.
• Very small black marks (size of pepper) on or near the sleeping area.
• Initially bed bug bites are painless, but turn into large, itchy welts. A good indication: waking up every morning with new bites.

I have bed bugs, now what?

• Bed bugs are best handled by a BedBugFree professional, like Craig Thomas Pest Control.
• Physical methods such as vacuuming or hot laundering can be helpful.
• Vacuums that are used to remove bed bugs can become infested
• Beds do not have to be thrown out, they can be saved by using an appropriate mattress & box spring encasements provided by Craig Thomas Pest Control.
• Sleeping in a different room or vacating the structure is not a solution and can make the problem more difficult to eliminate.

Most recently, New York City has experienced a major bed bug problem from hospitals, apartment buildings, high end stores and more! Below is a video acknowledging the increase in bed bug activity in the city. Bed Bugs on the rise in NYC!

Craig Thomas Pest Control is a locally owned, 3rd Generation family owned business serving the entire Hudson Valley. As a licensed, BedBugFree company, we are specialized in treating bed bugs. If you need us, call us at 1.800.255.6777, email, twitter or facebook.


*information and pictures provided by: www.bedbugcentral.com

College Students - Don't bring bed bugs home this Thanksgiving break!

As college students prepare to head home this week for Thanksgiving break, parents may want to think twice before students bring home piles of laundry and other objects. Bed bugs have recently made resurgence across the United States and are even affecting us here, in the lovely Hudson Valley. Not only are bed bugs affecting homeowners, hotels, apartments, hospitals, office buildings, but even college dormitories. A few years ago bed bugs were not as big of a problem, but recently bed bug reports are on the rise. After all, bed bugs are called “hitchhikers.”

Bed Bug Picture credits of Bed Bug Central

Recently, Craig Thomas Pest Control
has become the first pest management firm in the Hudson Valley to be approved for bedbugFREE membership amid escalating reports of bed bug infestations across the state. As a bedbugFREE member Craig Thomas joins an expanding network of companies across the nation committed to guidelines for safe and effective removal of bed bugs established by Bed Bug Central. “Becoming a member of bedbugFREE was an easy decision. Craig Thomas Pest Control prides itself on staying on top of the latest technology in the pest management industry by going above and beyond for our customers,” said Sarah Thomas. “The training, documentation and methodology help us communicate more clearly with our customers, explaining the preparations that need to be performed prior to treatment, the treatment process and what to expect from our company.”

Identification Points from Bed Bug Central
• Eggs are pearly white and & only 1mm in length
• Adult bed bugs are approximately 1/4” in length and are reddish-brown in color
• Bed bugs have not been demonstrated to be effective transmitters of disease
• Not everyone reacts to bed bug bites and some have delayed reactions to the bite
• Bed bug bite symptoms typically appear as red, itchy welts but can vary from one individual to the next
• Bite symptoms often appear in rows of several or more bites in a row

Bed Bugs at College - Must Read Tips for College Parents & Students

If bed bugs become a problem, do not attempt treatment yourself. Bed bugs are a difficult insect to control and require a trained pest control professional to eradicate the problem correctly.

Craig Thomas Pest Control now, bedbugFREE

Craig Thomas Pest Control Prevents Unsafe and Ineffective BedBug Removal
Company becomes qualified to safely remove bed bugs amid infestation endemic.


NEW YORK – November 2, 2009–Craig Thomas Pest Control, of Hyde Park, NY has become the first pest management firm in the Hudson Valley to be approved for bedbugFREE membership amid escalating reports of bed bug infestations across the state.

As a bedbugFREE member Craig Thomas joins an expanding network of companies across the nation committed to guidelines for safe and effective removal of bed bugs established by Bed Bug Central.

Craig Thomas Pest Control services the entire Hudson Valley Region and has been family owned and operated since 1949 under the belief that environmentally responsible pest control can be achieved at a reasonable cost without sacrificing our guaranteed quality.

A survey conducted by University of Kentucky shows that a significant increase of bed bug infestations has made bed bug management difficult. This influx has also opened the door to poor standards and practices as well as unsafe or ineffective treatment.

Bed bugs are small wingless insects that feed on the blood of mammals. Despite their name, bed bugs can be found in a variety of environments outside of bedding such as furniture, walls, office buildings, college dormitories etc.

Craig Thomas turned to Bed Bug Central and sought membership with bedbugFREE to ensure they continue to provide their customers with the safest and most effective strategies for bed bug removal during this increased infestation period.

“Becoming a member of bedbugFREE was an easy decision. Craig Thomas Pest Control prides itself on staying on top of the latest technology in the pest management industry by going above and beyond for our customers,” said Sarah Thomas. “The training, documentation and methodology help us communicate more clearly with our customers, explaining the preparations that need to be performed prior to treatment, the treatment process and what to expect from our company.”

All bedbugFREE companies undergo a rigorous screening process overseen by research entomologists Rick Cooper and Jeff White to ensure they understand and comply with several stringent guidelines.

Some of these guidelines include: educating customers on bed bugs and prevention and using a multidisciplinary approach to bed bug management that include both chemical and non-chemical treatment methods.

Additional guidelines ensure the utilization of various strategies that are specifically geared towards treating bed bug eggs that are difficult to detect and not easily dealt with through chemicals.

Bed bug infestations are more difficult to control than other insects. This is largely because the bed bugs are difficult to detect and can spread to numerous inaccessible areas of the house. They are also adept at migrating.

As the public deals with bed bug infestations it is important that they understand which methods are being utilized by the pest management firm of their choice. Although removing bed bugs yourself can further spread infestation, it is also important for the public to know which do-it-yourself methods and products work and which will likely result in health risks or a needless loss of money.

“The bedbugFREE designation will help us better serve our community and educate the public on bed bug awareness. It also enables us to better protect our clients and educate prospective clients through cutting edge of technology, effective treatment techniques and ongoing education,” said Thomas.

Experts emphasize that public education and individuals educating themselves are an important process in bed bug prevention. More information can be found at www.callcraig.com.

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About Bed Bug Central
Bed Bug Central was developed in part by nationally regarded entomologist Richard Cooper in response to the incorrect information available to individuals faced with bed bug problems. The inconsistent information has also created an environment for conflicting practices with varying levels of success. The Bed Bug Central website serves as an authoritative resource for the public on information concerning bed bugs, health concerns, prevention, and treatment.
More information can be obtained at www.bedbugcentral.com.