U.S. Grappling With Bedbugs, Misusing Dangerous Pesticides

[depakid]

A resurgence of bedbugs across the U.S. has homeowners and apartment dwellers taking desperate measures to eradicate the tenacious bloodsuckers, with some relying on dangerous outdoor pesticides and fly-by-night exterminators.

The problem has gotten so bad that the Environmental Protection Agency warned this month against the indoor use of chemicals meant for the outside. The agency also warned of an increase in pest control companies and others making "unrealistic promises of effectiveness or low cost."

Bedbugs, infesting U.S. households on a scale unseen in more than a half-century, have become largely resistant to common pesticides. As a result, some homeowners and exterminators are turning to more hazardous chemicals that can harm the central nervous system, irritate the skin and eyes or even cause cancer.

Ohio authorities, struggling against widespread infestations in Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton and other cities, are pleading with EPA to approve the indoor use of the pesticide propoxur, which the agency considers a probable carcinogen and banned for in-home use in 2007. About 25 other states are supporting Ohio's request for an emergency exemption.

The EPA rejected the request in June but said it would consider new information on it. An agency spokesman, Dale Kemery, said the EPA has pledged to find new, potent chemicals to kill bedbugs, which can cause itchy, red bites that can become infected if scratched.

In the meantime, authorities around the country have blamed house fires on people misusing all sorts of highly flammable garden and lawn chemicals to fight bedbugs. Experts also warn that some hardware products – bug bombs, cedar oil and other natural oils – claim to be lethal but merely cause the bugs to scatter out of sight and hide in cracks in walls and floors.

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/30/us-bedbugs-epidemic-outdoor-pesticides_n_699745.html

[Cirque du So-What]

1. 'We burned down the house...'

'...but we got rid of those pesky buggers! That'll show'em!'

[elocs]

2. All kidding aside, that is nearly what it takes.

They are very hard to eradicate and can live to up to a year without feeding.
Add to that they can very easily spread and it has absolutely nothing to do with cleanliness. Nobody is immune and bedbugs can be found even in the best hotels.

[Cirque du So-What]

3. As bloodsucking parasites go...

I suppose bedbugs are toward the lower end of my personal 'YUCK!' scale - especially when pest-borne microorganisms are taken into account. Ticks & mosquitos are vectors for things that can kill you!

[mucifer]

4. If you catch them early and have a knowlegeble exterminator they can be gone pretty quick

It's the worst in multiple unit apartments where the landlord doesn't get on top of it quick enough and it spreads like crazy. Then you are in trouble.

[elocs]

5. But it ain't cheap and can run into the thousands of dollars.

Poor people are pretty much ot of luck.

[mucifer]

7. Yeah it's true no good answers. We can destroy the planet. But, these little buggers are

so hard to destroy.

[customerserviceguy]

6. I have to wonder if irradiating bedding would work

Yes, you'd need something pretty sizable to stick a mattress in, but I bet it would work.

[mucifer]

8. freezing heat and certain chemicals kill them.

[customerserviceguy]

9. Sounds like chemicals are part of the problem

in the OP. I'm not sure what the heat would do to the bedding, but freezing sounds interesting. I wonder what temperature you'd need, and for how long.

[mucifer]

10. I think the problem is some exterminators don't know what they are doing others do.

Freezing and heating aren't usually enough. There are exterminators certified in the treatment of bedbugs and others who aren't. Some people who travel a lot buy heaters that they put their suitcases in when they come home and kill any bugs that might have hitched a ride. So heating works for things like that. But, once they have infested a whole room you pretty much need the chemicals because they are in the walls.

[billlll]

11. GOP's poverty rise since '80 has millions too frazzled

Or cash-short to control bugs.

Is not GOP the root cause? RR in particular.

[XemaSab]

12. What exactly is freezing heat

and where can I get some?

[mucifer]

13. sorry I forgot the comma freezing and heat can kill the bugs the thing won't let me edit.

[Systematic Chaos]

14. We got the motherfuckers and there's all of JACK we can do about it.

Moving might help, but giving up almost every bit of what little we own isn't much of an option either. Nor is moving, for that matter, between our credit and lack of funds.

After a while the trauma mostly abates and you learn ways to help keep them down to a dull roar, at least. :eyes:

On edit -- I just remembered, in reference to people using harsh chemicals to eliminate these little pieces of shit: Our roommate has a friend who is a late middle-aged lady on disability with multiple health problems already. She ended up with bedbugs in her subsidized housing unit, and the chemicals they used to try and get rid of them caused her to erupt in horrible cellulitis all over the backs of her legs. She's okay now, I believe, in a new place with no bugs.