Hello. The Allergy Guy here. Here are a few facts on what you need to know about bed bugs. Let’s jump right in!

• Fact #1: Did you know that bed bugs are nocturnal? Yup. That is correct! They like to come out at night, with a peak attack period about an hour before dawn. However, they will come out during the day if they need food.
  

• Fact #2: Did you know that bed bugs look like little apple seeds when they are full? Yes they do! They are the size of an apple seed, and when full they are a bit more plump and have a red-ish color.

• Fact #3: Bed bug bites lesions resembles those caused by many other kinds of blood feeding insects, such as mosquitoes and fleas. For first time victims, lesions sometimes can be confused with poison ivy and spider bites.

• Fact #4: Did you know that bedbugs can live for up to 18 months without feeding? But they typically seek blood every five to ten days.

• Fact #5: Did you know that female bedbugs can lay up to five eggs in a day and 500 during a lifetime. Yes! That’s a ton of eggs.

• Fact #6: Did you know that bed bug eggs hatch in one to two weeks. The hatchlings begin feeding immediately. They pass through five molting stages before they reach maturity. Wow. They develop quickly!

• Fact #7: The most common place to find bedbugs is the bed. Bedbugs often hide within seams, tufts, and crevices of the mattress, box spring, bed frame and headboard. So, make sure to check your bed often.

• Fact #8: Did you know that the scientific name for bed bugs is Cimex lectularius.

• Fact #9: Did you know that DDT greatly reduced the number of bed bug infestations and it was the original solution to remove bed bugs? But then DDT was outlawed and people we no longer able to use it. Thus the need to come up with new pesticides and green ways to kill bed bugs.

• Fact #10: Did you know that this year, some insurance companies introduced bed bug insurance? There haven’t been too many many reports on whether or not it has been successful, so we’ll stay tuned to learn more!

Hope you enjoyed this quick fact sheet and things you need to know about bed bugs! If you are looking for ways to prevent infestations or remove bed bugs – visit my store, www.theallergyguy.com.

As Thanksgiving is just a few days away you should be thankful if you don’t have bedbugs. Too many people become angry with themselves for not taking the simple steps to prevent bedbugs, as they can be a nightmare to get rid of!

Of course there are many things we are thankful for, but for this blog we wanted to reflect on some bedbug related reasons we are thankful this holiday season:

• We are thankful that we do not have bedbugs in our home
• We are thankful New York is no longer the worst state with bedbug infestations (Sorry Ohio)
• We are thankful for stronger mattress covers that prevent bedbugs from nesting in our beds.
• We are thankful that the PACKTITE is now available, making life for frequent travelers much less risky and stressful
• We are thankful that bedbug sniffing K9s are becoming more prominent in the fight against bedbugs
• We are thankful that more people are beginning to see the light and are taking preventative steps and not waiting until it is too late
• We are thankful for green environmental friendly bedbug killing solutions like Cryonite
• We are thankful that we have partnered with bedbugger.com to grow our reach in bedbug prevention
  

Hopefully if you are reading this you too are thankful you don’t have bedbugs. If there are any other things you think we should ad to the list, leave us a comment below. Have a great Thanksgiving!

The Allergy Guy

The age old question: Can dogs really identify bed bug infestations? The answer to that is yes.

Historically, dogs have been used by government agencies and the military to sniff for drugs and bombs, among  other things. With the advances in training, people are now able to train dogs to smell for bed bugs.

So, the next question you are asking is, “how does it work?”

First and for most, the dog has to be a certified tracking dog, which means that they have been certified to recognize and follow a scent. From a single sent, for example a drop of urine, a dog is able to learn the marking animal’s sex, diet, health, emotional state, and even whether it’s dominant or submissive, friend or foe. As a result, tracking dogs can follow a biochemical trail of dead skin cells, sweat, odor molecules, and gasses – you name it! So, a tracking dog can be trained to sniff for live or bed bugs or just bed bug eggs.

Another interesting fact is that for dogs, a scent article is like a three-dimensional “odor image” - much more detailed than a photograph is for a person. And dogs can track a scent through air, mud, water, snow and even ash. So, all in all, the good news is that if a dog is certified to track a sent – they definitely have the capability to do so.

Just wanted to share some knowledge on this method of finding bed bugs.

Have a great day! The Allergy Guy.

Hello the Allergy Guy here. Let’s talk about the PackTite. The PackTite unit finally became available at the end of Q3 which was very exciting. But the question is, do you know about the different ways you can use the PackTite? Most people think that PackTite is just for people who do a lot of traveling – but today I want to share the many other different uses with you. The PackTite has many benefits – but here are three of my favorites:

1. It kills all stages of bed bugs
2. It’s a non-chemical way to treat bed bugs which means that it’s safe to use on a variety of items
3. It is not just for frequent travelers
   

Now I’ll dive a bit deeper into the different benefits. First off, the PackTite Closet Portable Bed Bug Killing Heater Unit uses patent pending heating technology to safely eliminate all stages of bed bugs by heating contents up to over 120 degrees for a sustained period. This means that it kills bed bugs and their eggs because you are placing an item in the sustained heat for period of time.

The second benefit of the PackTite is that it is a safe, non-chemical way to treat your luggage and personal items for bedbugs. It has a featured timer to select heating times of up to six hours – ensuring that all bed bugs and their eggs have been eliminated without the use of chemicals or pesticides used as part of the elimination process. This means that it is safe to use on a variety of items that you might otherwise not treat – for example, blankets, toys, sleeping bags, pillows, etc.

Lastly, the PackTite Closet is designed to work as a preventive measure for travelers, but it is also for people who are in public places like hospitals, old age homes, schools, libraries, etc. Now a days, according to the news, bed bugs are popping up everywhere and it is really important that you take preventative measures to ensure that you don’t bring the hitch hiking bugs into your home.  The PackTite is a product that you can incorporate into your every day life. When you get home – or on the weekends – just put the potential bed bug attracting items into the PackTite and heat away!

To get your PackTite, or to get more information – Click here!

Enjoy!

Hello,

The Allergy Guy here. Can you believe that Thanksgiving is just around the corner? With that said, I know that I am getting ready to travel to my family’s house for the festivities – But the one thing I want to make sure I do is to protect myself against hitch hiking bed bugs. Whenever I travel with a suitcase, I always use a protective cover to ensure that no bugs pick up a ride on my suitcase as I take my belongings from my place to place.

The product I use is the Bugstop Suitcase Cover with Carry Pouch. The benefit of diligently encasing clothing, bags and belongings while traveling greatly reduces the likelihood of bringing bed bugs home or from place to place during travel. As I mentioned last week in my post about mattress covers, similarly a suitcase cover is a great way to prevent the spread or infestation of bed bugs. It’s an added layer of protection. And, the best part is, that after using my suitcase cover I just fold it up and place it in the pouch that is included.  When I get home, all I do is throw the pouch with cover into the dryer for 15 minutes to kill any eggs or live bugs. I’d rather be safe and secure my suitcase with a cover, then be sorry and bring bed bugs into my home.

Let me know if you have any questions. Or if you are interested in purchasing a BugStop Suitcase Cover, click here!

Enjoy & safe traveling!

Hello. The Allergy Guy here.

Bed bug mattress covers. We have all heard of them, but what are they and do they really work? What are the best brands out there? These are common questions that I get asked all of the time.
Mattress covers are actually one of our best selling products because they work.

As we all know, bed bugs are on the rise and it is important that you protect your home from their infestation! Especially because the he 2011 Bugs Without Borders Survey conducted by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the University of Kentucky, has found that bed bugs infestations have increased and are now being found just about everywhere. One of the most significant findings is that bed bug encounters have become much more common in public places than the previous year, in some instances increasing by 10, 20 or nearly 30 percent. This means, that there is a chance that you can pick up un wanted bed bugs during your daily life, for example at movie theaters, office buildings, daycare, hotels, and more.

With that said, we recommend using mattress covers to protect your bed, as this is the first step  in protecting against an infestation. A zippered bedding encasement designed for bed bug control is a great way to help keep your home bed bug free.  Bed bug mattress covers are the most highly recommended preventative measure you can take to rid your home of the highly invasive bed bug. Just ask any exterminator and they will agree that the number one way to prevent bed bugs is to cover your bed with bed bug proof linens. The complex interiors the mattress and boxspring provide the perfect hiding spots for bed bugs inside all the wood framing, coils, fabric, foam and springs. It is like taking up residence in a five-star resort for the bed bugs.

With so many bed bug mattress covers on the market today, it often hard to tell the difference between a bed bug mattress cover that will effectively keep your home free of bed bugs and which ones won’t. Here are the two brands I recommend:

Hybrid Bugstop  & Elite Bugstop Mattress Covers: These mattress covers are made of Polyester stretch knit with the upper interior lined with a polyurethane membrane. An added feature is that both have the Bugstop seal to stop bed bugs from getting in or out. This product is lab certified bed bug proof. Click here to purchase.

If you’d like to purchase, click here. And, for our loyal reads, use code Twitter and get 10% off!

Enjoy!

November is now here and the holiday travel season is right around the corner. Be it family vacations, going home for the holidays, or just getting away while you have some time off, people do a lot of traveling during winter months.

With that said we wanted to remind our readers of 8 important tips to help them prevent bedbugs when they travel.

1. First you should always check both Bedbugger.com and BedbugRegistry.com to research if there have been reports of bedbugs in the areas you are going. It is especially important to research the hotels you will be staying at.
2. Call the hotel and ask them their history regarding any bedbug reports in their establishment.
3. When packing make sure to use a bed bug suitcase cover to prevent any creatures from hitch hiking on your belongings.This is important for airline travel, as your bag will be contacting other bags, one of which could be carrying bedbugs.
4. Use the suitcase stand in your hotel. Don’t throw your bag on the bed.
5. Check the bed for bedbugs, blood spots or feces. Lift up the sheets ad check the corners .Check the headboard and bedside table. Look for signs of bed bugs in the drawers and along the wall on the side of the bed that is less likely to be disturbed by cleaning staff and guests.
6. Place your dirty clothing in a vinyl encasement and not just tossed on the floor. This is the best way to treat your dirty clothes anyway not just because of bedbugs.
7. Use the Packtite closet during and after you travel. Place your belongings inside to “cook” any bedbugs that may have slipped into your belongings unexpectedly. You should bring this unit with you and use it in the hotel before you pack to return from your trip, or use it immediately when you get home.
8. When you get home make sure to wash your clothing thoroughly to eliminate insects from your wash cycle. We recommend the Enzyme Laundry Cleaner.

Bedbugs are a true horror to deal with and you do not want to have them invade your lives. Make sure you follow these steps so you only bring home souvenirs and good memories and not bedbugs.

Hello, The Allergy Guy Here.

Today there was an announcement made in Pest Control Technology about the launch of a new product that is going to be in market in 2012.  It’s called the Bed Bug Plug. Here is a short bit on this new product:

The Bed Bug Plug is a new device for the early and active detection of bed bugs. The goal is to quickly detect a Bed Bug problem before a new or recurring infestation occurs. The design is unique because it uses heat as an attractant and is desirable for the bed bug as it simulates an ideal feeding and resting environment, the manufacturer reports. When bed bugs want to feed they sense the body heat and CO2 from a person. They instinctively use “Thermal Graphic Radar” to zone in on their meal. In addition to looking for heat, Bed Bugs seek rest in a comfortable, warm, textured hiding place, typically a crack or crevice. The Bed Bug Plug embodies all of these attributes. The Bed Bug Plug utilizes a heating element that mimics the heat radiated from a human being. The bottom portion is slightly cooler, at a temperature ideal for the Bed Bug to rest and hide until the next feeding. As they crawl curiously deeper into the specially designed cave, they push themselves against the glue adhesive on the roof of the device. This will permanently catch them, providing a perfect sample specimen for a pest control professional.

Unfortunately this product isn’t going to be available until 2012, so, I want to tell you about a similar product that we do offer now. It’s call the Bug Dome Bed Bug Monitor. This is a unique small and low profile bed bug monitor/trap that uses a heating element placed underneath a plastic dome to attract bed bugs and other insects. Additionally, the dome recess is coated with a special glue to trap and kill insects and bed bugs.  The trap section is replaceable when full. Here is a short video on the Dome Bed Bug Monitor in action:

If you’d like to purchase a Dome Bed Bug Monitor, click here.

Thanks,
The Allergy Guy

Hello. The Allergy Guy here.

Can you believe that Halloween is one week away? Have you finished your costumes yet? I know that I haven’t! This usually means a quick trip to the thrift store to get some last minute flair for my costume.

We specialize in allergy relief and bed bug solutions, which is why I want to share a few things to watch out for when buying used clothes. The overall tip that I have when for looking for clothes in a thrift store is to examine each item very carefully. Some of the things you should check for are stains, snags, holes, or other visible flaws. The other thing I want you to watch out for are a bit less visible to the surface: bed bugs & dust mites.

A great tip I have for ensuring that the clothing you pick up from a thrift store doesn’t have bed bugs and dust mites is to put your purchased clothing through a heat treatment to kill any bed bugs, mites & their eggs. This way, you can proactively kill any bed bugs, mites or eggs before you bring these items into your home. I’d rather be safe than sorry!

The product I’d use is the PackTite. The PackTite Closet Portable Bed Bug Killing Heater Unit uses heating technology to safely eliminate all stages of bed bugs by heating contents up to over 120 degrees F for a sustained period. The PackTite Closet is a safe, non-chemical way to treat your personal items for bedbugs and features a timer to select heating times of up to six hours. PackTite Closet is designed to work as a preventive measure for travelers, especially frequent business travelers. Heat up your suitcases, clothes, electronics and eliminate bed bugs & dust mites.

Another product I’d recommend is Bed Bug 911 Exterminator Enzyme Activated Laundry Treatment. This is a great, all-natural product that you use with with your laundry detergent to remove bed bugs from clothes or linens. Bed Bug 911 Exterminator Enzyme Laundry Treatment uses scientifically proven active ingredients to eliminate insects in your wash cycle. The product’s enzymes react violently with insects’ outer shell, killing them in one wash. Exterminator laundry detergent can be used to eliminate all unwanted pests including bed bugs, lice, fleas and dust mites from all clothes and bedding.

So, if you too are on your way to the thrift shop to get a last minute Halloween costume, be sure to check for visible and non visible flaws. And, if you are in the market for a PackTite or Bed Bug 911 Exterminator Enzyme Activated Laundry Treatment, click here to purchase.

Happy Halloween!

During the fall season allergy sufferers once again have to deal with the numerous foes that are brought about by Mother Nature. As we board up and insulate our homes for the winter, we must also be aware of the seasonal Dust Mite.

Although generally harmless to most people, dust mites are still incredibly gross creatures. They can cause allergic reactions to asthmatics, children, the elderly and anyone who is highly sensitive to its “byproducts”.

Like all living creatures, these microscopic dust mites must feed, reproduce and poop. This problem becomes a discussing cycle that will take place on your bed, sofa, carpet, or any where in your home where they find food.

Dust mites feed on dander (dead skin cells) that is shed from humans and pets. Because we spend so much time in our bed, (not as much as we’d like but still enough) there is a high concentration of dead skin cells, which acts as an all you can eat buffet for these animals.

So how can we prevent dust mites?

First of all sanitation is key. You must clean, dust, wash, sterilize and whatever other synonyms you can think of regularly. This is especially important if you have children. Use products that kill dust mites and other insects.

Next you need to protect your mattresses by purchasing a mattress cover. Encasing your mattress, pillows and comforter is an important step in allergy prevention and will help you wake up feeling healthy and refreshed.  This is the best way to prevent these insects from burrowing and reproducing in your bed.

Then you should invest in an air purifier. This will make sure the air that is being circulated in your home is clean.

Have you ever swept your home and wondered where all of the dust came from? Or have you ever seen a ray of light shinning through the window and seen way too many particles floating in the air? These particles consist of dirt, dead skin, the feces/sheddings of microscopic insects like the dust mite and who knows what else.

Sorry to be the barer of bad news, but please don’t shoot the messenger. We want to help you keep your home dust mite and allergy free. Invest in a HEPA air purifiers and you will feel the difference in the cleaner air in no time.

So to sum it up here are the three steps you need to take to prevent dust mites from living in your home:

1. Sanitation

2. Mattress Cover

3. Air Purifier

If you have ever had any experience with dust mites, please share your story. Happy fall every one and don’t let the dust mites bite!