In the world of bed bugs and pest control, there are always plenty of interesting stories making the news each week. At Bed Bug Guide, we like to keep ourselves well informed about the latest developments. This is the tenth in our series of regular news roundups, in which we summarize the top headlines that grabbed our attention over the past month.
- Bed Bugs Discovered in Kansas City Airport
The Kansas City Star reported this month that bed bugs had been found in the seating area inside Terminal B at Kansas City Airport, Missouri. According to spokesperson Kathleen Hefner, the infestation was concentrated on upholstered chairs in the vicinity of several restaurants. Hefner says the area was temporarily closed to eradicate the bugs, but no food preparation zones were contaminated. “It’s a bummer because I’m not sure if there’s anything else open,” said passenger Michelle Micsko, who was awaiting a flight to Arizona. “There’s really nothing else except snacks.” Others travellers said they lost their appetites after hearing of the infestation.
- Valpas Technology uses IOT Connectivity to Eliminate Bed Bugs from Hotels
Research by pest specialists Orkin has found that 80% of hotels experience bed bug infestations, and almost 50% have had to deal with bed bug-related litigation. In response, technology company Valpas has created the world’s first IOT-connected bed bug prevention system to reduce the cost of eliminating bed bugs and guarantee a good night’s sleep for guests. The system works by replacing existing bed legs with Valpas smart legs, which create an IoT mesh network that interconnects via Wi-Fi. If bed bugs are present in the room, then the legs trap the bugs when they attempt to climb up the legs to reach the sleeping human host. The system then informs the hotel that bed bugs have been captured. “The system is quite foolproof,” said Valpas CEO and co-founder Martim Gois. “We exploit the biology and behavior of bed bugs. We just outsmart them. The only incentive for a bug to move from A to B is to get their next blood meal. Once that CO2 is coming from a stable source, that is the queue for them. They won’t move around if they don’t sense that. So if a room isn’t used, bed bugs will just wait until the next guest arrives.”
- Bed Bugs Found in New York State Comptroller’s Office
The NYS Comptroller’s Office says a recent bed bug infestation is now under control, after the bloodthirsty insects were discovered in two buildings at 110 State Street and 40 North Pearl Street. According to Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office, a pest control company quickly exterminated the insects, which were allegedly introduced by an external source. The incident caused some concern for employees. A memo sent to employees by management said “We strongly advise that each of you do your part to ensure your home environment is free of any pests in order to prevent re-contamination.” The email also warns that live bugs may be seen for up to 48 hours after treatment.
- Blaze Breaks Out During Bed Bug Fumigation in Illinois
A fire broke out at a home near La Rancherita restaurant in Moline, Illinois, this month as a result of a bed bug fumigation attempt. Fortunately the owners were absent at the time, and no one was hurt in the incident. According to Moline Fire Inspector Jerry Spiegel, the blaze was due to excessive heat caused by the fumigation. Fire and smoke damage was apparent on the exterior of the property, however Illinois Termite and Pest Control refused to comment on the reasons for the outbreak. The blaze was brought under control quickly, however roads in the vicinity were partially closed for several hours.
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