This is really how bed bugs think! Be extremely vigilant about possible bed bug infested areas when traveling. This is especially appropriate now as the spring and summer are approaching, people go on vacation, and college students come home. Bed bugs especially like hotels-exterminators cite hotels and motels as one of the most likely places to be bed bug infested, so check your room for bed bugs before sleeping in it! Survey the mattress, the blankets and the bed board for bed bugs! If you suspect or see bed bugs, ask to change rooms. It's not worth it to bring home bed bugs from a nice vacation...trust us! 

According to a report released yesterday by the National Pest Management Association, more than a third of pest control companies treated bed bug infestations in hospitals. That is an increase of 6% since 2011 and 12% since 2010. The verdict: bed bugs infestations are increasing in the one place where bed bugs should be nonexistent.

Bed bugs are actually prevalent in hospitals because of the many patients that are constantly going through its doors. “We never know when somebody might show up with bedbugs,” says Dr. Jorge Parada, medical director of the infection prevention and control program of Loyola University Health System in Chicago.

Bed bugs are not inherently dangerous to one’s health, but they cause bloody bites which can cause much discomfort and worsen a patient’s already precarious state of health. Additionally, the open wounds are great places for bacteria and infections to develop, especially in a hospital where the risk of getting an in-hospital infection is so high. So it’s a priority for hospitals to rid their premises of the bed bugs. Additionally, under the new Affordable Care Act, hospitals will lose federal funding for a high percentage of readmissions, so hospitals want to reduce the risk of infections in patients that may lead to them being readmitted.

Although there are several projects in the works to eradicate bed bugs more cheaply and efficiently, as of now, exterminators are the only option available at this point. While costly and not time-efficient for hospitals, this option is most reliable in eradicating this pest. 

This week (April 22-26) is Bed  Bug Awareness Week, a week of spreading awareness about bed bug infestations and what people can do to stop infestations. 

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and University of Kentucky was released today to coincide with Bed Bug Awareness week. The report found that  bed bug infestations are at even higher rates than last year. 99.6% of respondents encountered bed bug infestations, up .6% from the previous year's rate of 99%. 

These are the top five findings of the report:

1.  Nearly all (99.6 percent) pest professionals have treated bed bugs in the 
    past year, slightly higher than the 99 percent that reported the same in 
    2011. 
 
2.  The majority of bed bug infestations occur in residential settings, such 
    as apartments/condominiums and single-family homes, with 98 percent and 96 
    percent of respondents treating these dwellings respectively. Two years 
    ago, about nine out of ten respondents reported treating infestations in 
    these settings. 
 
3.  As in previous years, survey respondents continue to treat for bed bugs in 
    a variety of places outside private residences, such as college dorms, 
    hotels, nursing homes, offices, schools and daycare centers, hospitals, 
    public transportation and others: 
 
 
   -- Hotels/motels -- 75 percent (80 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- College dorms -- 47 percent (54 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Nursing homes -- 46 percent (46 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Office buildings -- 36 percent (38 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Schools and day care centers -- 41 percent (36 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Hospitals -- 33 percent (31 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Transportation (train/bus/taxi) -- 21 percent (18 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Movie theaters -- 10 percent (17 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Retail stores -- 15 percent (21 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Libraries -- 12 percent (8 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Restaurants -- 7 percent (6 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Airplanes -- 2 percent (6 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Laundromats -- 9 percent (6 percent in 2011) 
 
 
    NOTE: Percentages denote professionals reporting treating bed bugs in 
    specific locations. 
 
4.  Clutter contributes to the problem as approximately two-thirds of 
    respondents point to homeowner clutter as the biggest customer-oriented 
    challenge in treating bed bugs, while 58 percent say customers not 
    following advice and 16 percent point to re-infestation. Bed bugs continue 
    to be the most difficult pest to treat according the 76 percent of 
    respondents. 
 
5.  Although not a seasonal pest, prime bed bug time appears to be during the 
    summer months with nearly half (49 percent) of respondents saying 
    infestations occur most often then and least often in the winter. While 
    pest professionals are divided over whether there is "peak season" for bed 
    bugs, more than half of those who notice a seasonal difference receive 
    more calls during summer. Since people tend to travel and relocate more 
    during the summer months, it is possible that a greater number of people 
    unknowingly transport the bugs back home from their travels, or discover 
    them soon after moving. 

 
 
1.  Nearly all (99.6 percent) pest professionals have treated bed bugs in the 
    past year, slightly higher than the 99 percent that reported the same in 
    2011. 
 
2.  The majority of bed bug infestations occur in residential settings, such 
    as apartments/condominiums and single-family homes, with 98 percent and 96 
    percent of respondents treating these dwellings respectively. Two years 
    ago, about nine out of ten respondents reported treating infestations in 
    these settings. 
 
3.  As in previous years, survey respondents continue to treat for bed bugs in 
    a variety of places outside private residences, such as college dorms, 
    hotels, nursing homes, offices, schools and daycare centers, hospitals, 
    public transportation and others: 
 
 
   -- Hotels/motels -- 75 percent (80 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- College dorms -- 47 percent (54 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Nursing homes -- 46 percent (46 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Office buildings -- 36 percent (38 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Schools and day care centers -- 41 percent (36 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Hospitals -- 33 percent (31 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Transportation (train/bus/taxi) -- 21 percent (18 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Movie theaters -- 10 percent (17 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Retail stores -- 15 percent (21 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Libraries -- 12 percent (8 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Restaurants -- 7 percent (6 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Airplanes -- 2 percent (6 percent in 2011) 
 
   -- Laundromats -- 9 percent (6 percent in 2011) 
 
 
    NOTE: Percentages denote professionals reporting treating bed bugs in 
    specific locations. 
 
4.  Clutter contributes to the problem as approximately two-thirds of 
    respondents point to homeowner clutter as the biggest customer-oriented 
    challenge in treating bed bugs, while 58 percent say customers not 
    following advice and 16 percent point to re-infestation. Bed bugs continue 
    to be the most difficult pest to treat according the 76 percent of 
    respondents. 
 
5.  Although not a seasonal pest, prime bed bug time appears to be during the 
    summer months with nearly half (49 percent) of respondents saying 
    infestations occur most often then and least often in the winter. While 
    pest professionals are divided over whether there is "peak season" for bed 
    bugs, more than half of those who notice a seasonal difference receive 
    more calls during summer. Since people tend to travel and relocate more 
    during the summer months, it is possible that a greater number of people 
    unknowingly transport the bugs back home from their travels, or discover 
    them soon after moving. 

"Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!"

Ever wonder where this popular refrain comes from?

Used to be that beds had cords that were pulled tight across the bed to provide for a firmer sleeping space!

And no explanation needed for the "Good night...don't let the bed bugs bite!"

For more information on how to prevent bed bugs, check out the Bed Bug Survival Guide by Jeff Eisenberg

Or

Check out our website  www.pestawayinc.com or call us at Pest Away Exterminating at 212-721-2521

Bed bugs don't only invade your homes. They can be found in numerous places such as hospitals as well.

Treating bed bugs can be extremely expensive. Learn how to protect yourself from bed bugs steep price tag.

Non toxic approaches to bed bug treatments are the most effective.