Chicago is #3 in Bed Bug Infestation Nationwide
A new strain of bed bugs emerged in 2000, resistant to typical pesticides and creating a rise in infestations. Some statistics show an increase of over 4,500% since the early 2000s.
For those of us in the Chicago area, we have good reason to be concerned, as Chicago ranked as the third most infested city in the country in a recent study released by Orkin.
The bed bug problem is so bad, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance requiring building managers and landlords responsible for hiring licensed professionals to terminate any bedbug infestations.
Non-compliance of the ordinance translates into some hefty fines … up to $1,000 a day. Condo and co-op boards also have to prepare pest management plans. Tenants have to notify landlords if there's a bedbug problem.
Bed bugs are also increasing in public buildings, as reported by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Here are the statistics revealed in NPMA’s latest “Bed Bugs Without Borders” report of professionals reporting making service calls to these facilities:
Read “Bed Bugs Without Borders" report
Studies show exterminators are finding bed bugs in almost 1 in 5 office buildings.
Bed bugs can pose special problems in office environments. By the time they are discovered in an office, they have spread out throughout the building in search of food.
These tiny insects are brought into the workplace by frequent travelers (suitcases, briefcases, purses) or in employee gym bags.
They can quickly find homes in chair cushions, sofas, behind electrical outlets, cracks and crevices around baseboards, or even behind picture frames. If an infestation is found early enough, it can be contained in a few cubicles. But if no one keeps an eye out for them, or ignores the signs, multiple floors can quickly be effected.
Management / Human Resource Concerns
According to USA Today, a spokesperson for Rose Pest Solutions claims, 'Bedbug lawsuits are starting to grow like crazy." As an example, a FOX News Channel employee sued the building owner, management company, and other entities for negligence in controlling the infestation.
Importance of Cleaning Properly
All maintenance workers should be trained in looking for signs of bed bugs and other insect/rodent infestation.
Proper vacuuming does make a difference. Bed bug hatchlings measure less than 1 millimeter so it is important to use vacuums that have the power to capture any bugs hiding deep in carpet or upholstery, but also hold them in the vacuum bag. We use the professional Windsor series of equipment that captures an holds as small as .03 micron (that's .00003 millimeter).
The Good News ...
Bed bugs do not transmit disease.
And More Good News ...
CLS PROFESSIONALS are trained in looking for and recognizing the signs of bed bugs in the office. We use vacuums that hold and capture even bed bug hatchlings.
