Bedbug Infestations In NYC To Increase In 2011: Experts

We haven't seen anything yet.

Bedbug infestations are expected to soar in 2011, especially during the summer, experts say.

The pests are at their most numerous during July, August and September, according to Jeffrey White, a research entomologist for BedbugCentral.com.

"I firmly believe that this year is going to be worse than last year," White said at a bedbug seminar Wednesday, according to the Daily News. "If we combine the seasonal trend, with the bugs getting more and more embedded in our community, that allows the bugs to make that resurgence all the more stronger."

Close to 404,000 people, or 7 percent of New York City, reported bedbug infestations in 2009, according to the Health Department.

Last summer, bedbugs nearly brought the city to its knees, infesting department stores, movie theaters, and even forcing the temporary closure of a hospital wing.

The problem was so bad, it started affecting tourism.

Some landlords have even started requiring prospective tenants to disclose whether they've ever had bedbugs.

But we mustn't let these formidable, resilient bloodsuckers win. For tips on how to avoid getting bedbugs, check out today's Daily News article.

Comments

[thepoliticalcat]

10:35 PM on 03/03/2011

What a load of hogwash. If you're worried about bedbugs and how to combat them, you should know that scientists have devised an excellent, very cheap, non-toxic way to combat them. It involves paper cups and dry ice. See the details at sciencenews.org. Or go to Richard Fagerlund's site for information on non-toxic remedies.

[Howard Pearlman]

12:48 PM on 03/10/2011

Dry Ice is not cheap and is not easily available.

[Absolute]

07:38 PM on 03/03/2011

Buy FOOD GRADE diatomaceous earth, borax (as Howard Perlman has mentioned) and salt. Sprinkle it all over, especially against base boards, under beds and under upholstered furniture because the insects cannot build up resistance to these substances and because they work. Buy bed bug proof covers for all mattresses and boxsprings. Wash all bedding, clothes and curtains.

Do this consistently and your bed bug problem will be solved.

[Howard Pearlman]

05:13 PM on 03/03/2011

* * * IT's Time To Bite The Bed Bugs Back * * *

We can do this by washing our clothes with Borax Soap Powder. I also sprinkle Borax Soap Powder on all of our carpets. Borax the active ingredient in Borax Soap Powder gets on insects skin and sucks the water out of their bodies.

* * Please Help Your FriendsBy Sharing This Message With Them.

Howard Scott Pearlman

[thepoliticalcat]

10:36 PM on 03/03/2011

Thank you.

[dpatridge]

03:30 PM on 03/03/2011

Why are you giving this person space on Huffington. Even though this is an entomologist, the website that he is affiliated with is selling Bed Bug proofing etc. Scare mongering over bed bugs is clearly a money-making enterprise.

[dn sf]

03:37 PM on 03/03/2011

I hope you never have to experience the gut wrenching effects of a building infestation - this is common in SF - several buildings around me on Nob Hill have had the entire building sprayed, 3 times over a nine week period, it is absolutely a nightmare.

[thepoliticalcat]

10:37 PM on 03/03/2011

There is absolutely no reason to spray, and in fact, spraying does not control bedbugs. There is an excellent new scientific way of getting rid of bedbugs. See sciencenews.org for details. Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with sciencenews.org.

[Spartacle12]

09:17 PM on 03/03/2011

That's exactly what I thought. Conflict of interest is written all over this article.

[maxwelldog]

03:06 PM on 03/03/2011

dang.
Plague of rats, cockroaches, surly cab drivers who take you three or four blocks around where you're going, and now the plague of bed bugs.
Man alive! This the armageddon or WHAT!?
(armageddon tiredof hearingthat)

[thepoliticalcat]

10:37 PM on 03/03/2011

Teh funny!

[RJVegas]

02:57 PM on 03/03/2011

For my NYC bestest friend and friends of said friend. Oh boy, this ain't pretty!

[GodsHonestTruth]

02:25 PM on 03/03/2011

this is a problem exacerbated by bad landlords, who refuse to pay up for expert and environmentally friendly exterminators--who actually know how to get rid of the pests.

[Lumn8tion]

12:22 PM on 03/03/2011

Quit picking things up off the street people!!!!

[Max19th]

11:08 AM on 03/03/2011

The only good bug, is a dead bug. - Starship Troopers