Bed Bug Conference News Coverage - San Diego Bed Bugs

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If there’s one pest that has Halloween-style scare value these days, it’s the bed bug, or Cimex lectularius. An infestation of these blood-sucking, appleseed-sized insects can trigger a real case of the frights, especially if you’re a hotel operator, hospital administrator or property manager. Which is why, over the first three days in February, Clark Pest Control offered three free educational seminars to professionals whose livelihoods might be affected by this difficult-to-control pest – in northern California at Rohnert Park and San Mateo, and in the southland at San Diego.

The “2012 Bed Bug Tour” featured three speakers: Entomologist Gail Getty of UC Berkeley on bed bug biology and why this insect has become such a problem, National Pest Management Association Technical Director Jim F. on new advances in detecting and controlling bed bugs, and attorney Jeff Lipman on the legal precedents and liabilities of bed bug infestations as they affect property managers, hospitality-industry operators and other professionals. All three speakers were present for a question-and-answer session that followed, which also featured Clark Pest Control Technical Director Darren Van Steenwyk.

The San Diego session on February 3 at the Hilton Mission Bay was picked up by the local news media there, with Jim Patton reporting for CW 6 News (XETV) and Loren Nancarrow featuring a segment on “Your Health” for Fox 5 (KSWB). As Van Steenwyk pointed out on Patton’s segment, the first order of business is getting an inspection to make sure you have bed bugs; once that fact is established, treatment options include heat remediation and conventional treatments. Patton mentioned dogs that are specially trained to find bed bugs, as a tail-wagging pooch pawed a specimen during a demonstration. “Looks like he’s just having fun there,” the newsman quipped. Nancarrow also showed a happy dog on the Fox 5 newscast (Clark itself doesn’t employ bed-bug dogs, which work for independent contractors, but because dogs are always a winner with viewers, they seem to get lots of camera time), and Van Steenwyk named a few other places where bed bugs are turning up – in coffeehouses, and on trains and airplanes.

Termite FAQs

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Termite FAQs | Clark Blog | Jackson Griffith

There are two kinds of houses, an old saying goes: Those with termites, and those that someday will get termites. This pest strikes fear into homeowners for good reason: each year, termites cause billions of dollars worth of damage, and most of that damage is hidden from sight – often until it’s quite extensive, and it requires structural repairs.

• What are termites? Termites are wood-destroying insects of the order Isoptera. They have been around for at least 100 million years, and it’s believed they evolved from wood-eating cockroaches. Termites are eusocial insects, which means that – like ants and bees – they live in colonies organized into castes, with a queen (and king), soldiers and either workers (subterranean termites) or nymphs (immature dampwood and drywood termites).

• What purpose do termites serve in nature? Termites break wood and other cellulose-containing plant material down into components small enough to be reabsorbed by the soil. Ground-dwelling termites also help aerate soil by tunneling through it. Without termites, we might be up to our necks in dead grass and trees.

• That sounds pretty good. Why, then, are termites a problem? The trouble starts when termites can’t tell the difference between a dead tree and the lumber from a dead tree used to build your house. Both contain cellulose – or as termites might put it, dinner.

• How do termites eat? Termites will chow down on anything containing cellulose – wood, plant material, such products made from plant materials as paper, cardboard, cotton fabrics and more. Workers (or nymphs) chew off pieces with their mandibles and ingest them, which are then broken down by bacteria and protozoa in their digestive tracts and transferred to other termites by trophyllaxis:  mouth-to-mouth (or anus-to-mouth) sharing. Some termite castes, such as queens, kings and soldiers, can’t feed themselves; they depend upon liquid meals from workers or nymphs.

• Are there different kinds of termites? Yes, many. In California and western Nevada, where Clark offers its services, there are three basic termite species: dampwood termites, drywood Termites and subterranean termites.

• Can you tell me more about dampwood termites? Dampwood termites (Zootermopsis angusticollis; Z. nevadensis) generally only live where the weather is damp, e.g., along the coast and in the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountains, and need downed wood with high moisture content to survive. If you live in a forested area, they can infest if you have a long-term leak in your home.

• What about drywood termites? Drywood termites (Incisitermes minor), more common in coastal areas, infest homes when winged reproductive termites (alates, or “swarmers”) enter attics and upper parts of homes, where they mate and start colonies.

• And subterranean termites? Subterranean termites (Reticulitermes hesperus), common in California’s central valley, live in colonies deep underground and tunnel to the surface to feed. Subterranean termites are the most destructive kind commonly found in the Western U.S.

• Really? The most destructive kind? No, that notoriety belongs to Formosan subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus), which have taken hold in other areas in the U.S., like the Southeast, but fortunately have been contained before they have been able to establish colonies on the west coast.

• Are termites visible?Yes, they often are quite visible during their mating phase, typically in early spring, after a good rain. It’s common to see thousands of alates, or winged reproductives, swarming en masse and looking for mates. Some species swarm in the fall, but the timing is always related to optimal local climate conditions that trigger swarming from multiple colonies in the area, maximizing the opportunity for successful mating.

• Termites? I thought those flying things were ants? Like termites, there are flying reproductive ants. The three ways to tell them apart are, 1) termites don’t have narrow waists that separate their thoraces from their abdomens, where ants do; 2) termite antennae are straight and beaded, where ant antennae are elbowed; and 3) the two sets of wings on alate termites are the same length, where the upper pair are longer than the lower pair on ants.

• Are there other signs of termite activity? Yes, but it usually takes a well-trained eye to find those signs. Subterranean termites, for example, will build tubes from the ground where they nest to the sources of wood where they are feeding. Drywood termites often will eject tiny fecal pellets from holes in wood where they are active.

• How can I tell if my house has termites? The easiest way is to schedule an inspection with a licensed termite inspector. The inspector will examine your home’s exterior and interior, along with your attic or any voids under your roof, and then any crawl spaces below your house. The inspector will look for leaks and damp areas, as well as dry rot and other wood-destroying fungus activity – all of which provide conditions conducive for termite activity.

• What steps can I take to make my home less prone to termite invasion? Termites need moisture to survive. You can divert water away from accumulating around your home’s foundation by installing downspouts, gutters and splash blocks so they drain away from the structure. Add proper ventilation to crawl spaces and attics to reduce humidity. Make sure shrubs and vegetation don’t grow to cover vents. Remove old tree stumps and random wood left under your house when it was built. And get rid of any direct contact between wood and soil. An 18-inch gap between wood and soil is ideal.

• Can I buy any kind of termite alarm system? Clark Pest Control offers a program called Term-Alert^®, which involves placing monitors in and around your home and property, which are routinely inspected by a service technician for termite activity.

Termites may be a reality, but they don’t have to be a source of free-floating anxiety for you. The termite experts at Clark Pest Control are here to answer your questions and bring you peace of mind. So call today!

Bed Bug Tour 2012 - San Diego Update

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Today we hit our last stop on the Bed bug conference 2012 tour. Our very own Darren Van Steenwyk‎ was interviewed by San Diego's FOX 5 and received a visit from Bed bug detection dogs! Stay tuned for more updates throughout the day!

News CW 6 Also stopped 

Clark's Arnold Molina touring the news crew around a Bed bug heat trailer

2012 Bed Bug Tour : San Mateo Live coverage

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Todays line-up:

8:30 - 9:30 Gail Getty (UC Extension) - Bed Bug Biology that effects your business bottom line

9:30 - 10:30 Jim F. (NPMA) - Detecting and controlling bed bugs in the 21st century

10:45 - Jeff Lipman - Beb bug liability, the legal precedence being set

On deck... Gail Getty.

Bed bug History:

DDT

• One application did the job
• No prep needed
• Inexpensive
• Resistance hit in 1947

Today

• People are NOT vigilant
• More clutter in the homes
• Key to control: through treatment

Behavior

• 90% of lifetime is hidden
• Feed 3-4 days
• Often go days to a week or more without a blood meal
• Tend to live in aggregations

How big are they? - the size of an apple seed

Let me say it right away

• Can't fly
• Don't jump
• Coloring differs from opaque to dark brown

Life cycles

• Adults
• Eggs
• Babies

Mating and dispersion

• Tramatic insemination and female dispersal
• male pierces females abdominal
• Females matted repeatedly reducing longgevity of females by 25-30%
• Female disperses
• Result eggs deposited in unpredictale fasions

Adult life cycle

• Thin with no blood meal
• Female can lay eggs from 6-18 months
• Eggs to egg 2 months

Eggs

• Lays 2-5 eggs a day
• 200-500 in her life time
• Eggs 'glued' to surfaces
• Tggs hatch in 6-10 days on average
• Temperture makes a diffrence

 Babies/Nymths

• Molt 5 times
• Must feed to molt

EARLY DETECTION IS KEY

Feeding

• Poorly understood
• Carbon dioxide
• Heat
• Maybe movement in room
• inject anticoagulant and numbs area
• Some people are allergic to injection
• Draws out blood

Adults

• 1 year no blood meal

Nymths

• 3 months without a blood meal
• leave dark fecal spots behind
•  One bug inflicts multiple bites
• will travel 20+ feet

Bites

• Different reactions to bites
• Proteins in bugs saliva can cause a progressive sensitivity to repeated bites
• None - delayed up to 3 weeks
• Misdiagnosis
• Most common misdiagnosis - carpet beetle

Biting marks

• Arms, legs, neck, back, shoulders and face

Disease

• 40 human pathogens
• Neven proven to biologically transmit any human pathogen
• Secondary infection
• Not considered to be medically important

Customer Anxiety

• It's real
• Handle with care and empathy

Where

A study in infested aparments showed

• 935 FOUND IN ASSOCIATED WITH BED
• 23% furniture
• 7% less predictable places

Thank you Gail!

Next Up Jim F. of the NPMA

 Understanding Bed bug treatment and inspection methods

Survey

• more than 400 PMPs surveyed
• 99% treated bed bugs
• 84 % indicated bed bugs were increasing in their region

NPMA task force

Industry -Regulators - Academics

• Consumer protection
• Identify active infestation
• Communicate fees
• Communicate details of service
• Communicate realistic expectations
• Provide bed specific information with agreements
• Canine teams require 3rd party certification
• Non-chemical
• Steam
• Vacuum
• Heat
• Freeze
• Traditional options

Community wide approach

• Discourage disposal of mattress and furniture
• Recommdations for inspection and treatment of surrounding areas and ajacent rooms
• recomendations for training and educating hotel and facility staff about bed bug identification

 Visual Inspections

Pros

• Humans can integrate facts to enhance search parameters
• Visual confirmation

Cons

• Labor intensive
• low level

Monitoring Devices

Pros

• Can be used to monitor when visual inspections are conclusive
• Proactive approach
• Can be used to measure post treatment success 

Cons

• The most effective bait is a human
• detect bed bugs over days or weeks 
• Low level infestations can be missed
• Cost 

Mattress and Box Spring Encasements

Pros

• Makes inspection easier
• Seals bugs and eggs inside mattress and box spring
• Easy to install 

Cons

•  Not all encasements are created equal
• Ripped covers don't work
• Covers can't be removed for Laundering

Traditional Product Application

Pros

•  Mulitiple formulations available for diffrent treatment sites
• Many effective products available

Cons

• Labor intensive
• Resistant populations have been reported
• Sensitivity may be a concern

Steam Treatments

Pros

• No residue
• Destroys all life stages, including eggs
• Penetrates fabrics and cracks 

Cons

• Labor intensive
• No residual
• Some surfaces are heat sensitive
• Temp must rapidly exceed 122 F

Thanks Jim!

Next, Jeff Lipman (Attorney/Judge) - Real legal cases

Bed bug litigation

Document you Advise - PCO are at risk of being named in a lawsuit. Improtant to document your action plan.

Follow the Action Plan

• Hotel/Motel and apartment managers will be named  in most lawsuits extremely important to follow the action plan and document compliance:
• Written actiona plan approved by the PCO
• Written engagement contract specifing bed bugs

Have PCC provide requirements for treatment readiness

Landlord and Hotel's duty to tenants and guests

1-provide a habiital premises

2-protect from clear and present danger

Landlord or Hotel Act

1-warn guests of dangers

2-evict tenants who interfere with bed bug eradiction

3-assist tenants who are mobility impaired with preparation for treatment

 Ongoing Duty to Investigate

1-Bed bug monitoring

2-Periodic inspections as recommended by your PCO (Pest control operator)

Implied warranty of Habitability

An implied warranty of habitability

When a Liability arises

The law commands that you inspect bed bugs

Landlords Obligation

To do what is reasonable under the circumstances

Unfair Deceptive Acts and Practices

• Rental units may not contain illegal hazards that endanger the occupants well-being or make the unit unfit for habitation. UDAP violation

Jeff is now walking us through the Spaulding v. Young Case (1992)

Mathias v. Accor, 347 F .3d 672 (2003) This is a great case to research, this is regarding bed bugs at a motel.

Reliance not required (most of the time)

Generally courts are more receptive to consumer fraud class actions than common law fraud class actions.

 Fee structure

• In writing
• Req. PCO to provide written estimate
• PCO should specify work to be performed (Bed bug)

Insurance for Building (covers bed bugs risk and exposure)

Getting Sued - Call your Insurance company

• Do not speak to the client
• Do not speak to the clients attorney
• Do not speak to the press
• Speak to your Insurance company, they will do the talking for you

Burdons of proof

• Reasonable doubt
• Clear and convincing evidence
• Preponderance of the evidence

What Jury hears in bed bug cases

• Blood sucking pests
• Fecal smears
• Nymphs
• Carry diseases

What the jury see's

• Photos of sheets
• Bites (Photos)
• Suffering (Photos)
• How bb travel
• PCO records

Bed Bug Conference Tour 2012 is just around the corner

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Clark Pest Contol is proud to announce its 2012 Bed Bug conference tour! 

 

This event will provide guests answers to many common myths about bed bugs and experts will also educate guests on the newest ways to detect and control bed bugs, as well as how a bed bug infestation can affect a business’ bottom line. 

The 2012 speaker line up will include, Jim Fredricks from the National Pest Management Association, Gail Getty from the UC Extension, and Jeff Lipman of the Lipman Law Firm that deals with bed bug litigation and other industry experts. 

2/1/2012 -Rhonert Park
8am - 2pm
Doubletree Rohnert Park
One Doubletree Dr., Rohnert Park
Breakfast and lunch will be provided 

2/2/2012 - San Mateo
8am - 2pm
Marriott San Mateo
1770 South Amphlett Blvd., San Mateo 
Breakfast and lunch will be provided 

2/3/2012 - San Diego
8am - 2pm
Hilton Mission Bay
1775 East Mission Bay Dr., San Diego
Breakfast and lunch will be provided
 

Managers Can Register Now for FREE Bed Bug Educational Training Hosted by Clark Pest Control  
 

Anyone interested in registering for either Rohnert Park, San Mateo or San Diego “Bed Bugs: Know The Truth” event may call 877-918-9988 or email salesteam@clarkpest.com.

Bed Bug Friday - A new debugger

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How to get rid of bloodsucking insects

The Economist
Jan 14th 2012 | from the print edition

FEW things destroy the reputation of a high-class hotel faster than bed bugs. These vampiric arthropods, which almost disappeared from human dwellings with the introduction of synthetic insecticides after the second world war, are making a comeback. They can drink seven times their own weight in blood in a night, leaving itchy welts on the victim’s skin and blood spots on his sheets as they do so. That is enough to send anyone scurrying to hotel-rating internet sites—and even, possibly, to lawyers.

New York is worst-hit at the moment: neither five-star hotels nor top-notch apartments have been spared. But other places, too, are starting to panic. Hotel staff from Los Angeles to London are scrutinising the seams of mattresses and the backs of skirting boards, where the bugs often hide during the day, with more than usual zeal. But frequently this is to no avail. Bed bugs are hard to spot. Even trained pest-control inspectors can miss them. What is needed is a way to flush them into the open. And James Logan, Emma Weeks and their colleagues at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Rothamsted Research think they have one: a bed-bug trap baited with something the bugs find irresistible—the smell of their own droppings.

from the print edition | Science and technology

A Dear Bug Zoo Resident Will Be Missed...Emperor Scorpion

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Last week, one of our star bug zoo residents passed away, Empress, the Emperor Scorpion lived a long life and made many students smile with amazement, she will be missed!

We will be introducing her replacement tomorrow at our first bug zoo for 2012, Klaus, a young male Emperor scorpion will be on display, he's big, friendly and will be doing his first handling demo. Please welcome Klaus our newest bug zoo resident!

The emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator) is one of the largest species of scorpion in the world, with adults averaging about 20 centimetres (7.9 in) in length. However, some species of forest scorpions are fairly similar to the emperor scorpion in size, and one scorpion,Heterometrus swammerdami, holds the record for being the world's largest scorpion at 9 inches (23 cm) in length.The life span of the emperor scorpion usually ranges from 5 to 8 years of life when held in captivity.

Even Santa Loves the Clark Bug Zoo!

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Toys for Tots - Clark Pest Control collects 1796 toys this season

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Clark Pest Control collected 1796 toys in our Toys for Tots Drive this year!  We would like to give a very special thanks to the local businesses we partnered with to make this happen as well as each and everyone who found it within their hearts to donate to this very special cause.

Local Partners

Crush Kitchen and Bar

Salon Envy and Boutique

Lodi Beer Company

Wise Choice Self Storage

Cheese Central

House of Clocks

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

Sheri’s Sonshine Nutrition Center

Salinas Pest Control - Clark wins readers choice award

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We would like to congradulate our Salinas California branch, winner of the Californian's readers choice awards in the Pest control category! This award is based on a public readers poll. GREAT JOB SALINAS.