BRUNSWICK, ME (June, 2011) — Summer is almost here! But warm weather and traveling vacationers can also mean an increased likelihood of getting bed bugs. Over the past several years, bed bugs have resurfaced in nearly every city and small town across America-including New England- infesting homes, apartments, hotels, motels, dormitories, homeless shelters, hospitals, movie theatres and even different modes of transportation. The resurgence has many contributing factors including a large increase in international travel and changes in pest control practices.
"With more people traveling at this time of year, there is a greater chance of bed bugs spreading and more frequent infestations in both residential and business settings," said Richard Stevenson Jr., Chief Technical Officer of Modern Pest Services and a member of National Pest Control Management Association's Blue Ribbon Bed Bug Task Force. "It's not uncommon for us to see an increase in bed bug treatment services during the summer season. We advise people to get an inspection when bed bugs are suspected and then treat when bed bugs are found because if not treated they will definitely spread."
Here are some bed bug traveling tips-
- Get the facts - Educate yourself about bed bugs and what they look like. Bed bugs are small, oval, brownish, flattened insects that only feed on the blood of humans or other warm blooded animals. You can find more information about bed bugs including identification, signs and habits at http://www.modernpest.com/bed_bugs/
- Inspect your hotel room - When staying in a hotel, leave your luggage in the hallway or place it in the bathtub while you inspect your room for bed bugs. The bugs tend to live near the bed but can also be found in other room furniture.
- Turn on the lights and throw back the covers of the bed. You may see a bed bug or the brown spots and dark stains they leave behind.
- Remove bedding and check the mattress and box spring thoroughly, particularly around seams and at the head of the bed.
- Check the headboard, bed frame and other room furniture including nightstands, chairs and sofas.
- Use the luggage rack - Don't put luggage or clothes on the bed or furniture. Use a luggage rack instead.
- Back at home, dry your clothes - Once you get home from vacation, put all of your clothes in the dryer at high heat. This will help kill any bed bugs that may have found their way into your suitcase.
Earlier this month, Modern Pest Services introduced, Sherlock, the company's first bed bug sniffing dog. Using bed bug detection dogs like Sherlock is much more efficient than traditional detection methods, as they are able to inspect an entire room in a matter of minutes with little disruption, and they can accurately pinpoint where the pests are located with their advanced sense of smell. Once an infestation is confirmed, Modern offers its residential and commercial clients heat treatment and conventional services to eliminate the bed bugs.
For more information please visit www.modernpest.com
About Modern® Pest Services
Modern® Pest Services is a third-generation family-owned and operated pest control company, established in 1945. It has been a leader in the industry from its beginning.
Modern employs integrated pest management (IPM) practices in all operating activities and offers commercial and residential pest control services, a comprehensive bed bug program including canine inspections and heat treatment, and wildlife services. Modern is recognized by the National Pest Management Association for meeting the established standards of a QualityPro company and is one of only 21 pest control companies in the U.S. to be recognized by the EPA for its green pest control and organic pest control programs. For more information, please visit www.modernpest.com.
Modern® Pest Services is a Copesan® alliance partner and a member of the National Pest Management Association, the New England Pest Management Association, the Entomological Society of America, the American Society of Quality, and many local Chambers of Commerce. Headquartered in Brunswick, ME with service centers in Portland, Bangor and Augusta, as well as Woburn, MA, and Manchester, NH, Modern serves more than 10,000 customers throughout New England.
Contact: Angie Helton, Northeast Media Associates, 1-207-653-0365, nema@maine.rr.com
