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Win the Bed Bug Battle Naturally

May 1, 2011 By 2 Comments

“Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite!”  This phrase may bring back fond memories for some, but for thousands of people across the United States and elsewhere, it has become nothing less than a nightmarish reality.

Bed Bug History

Bed bugs have been wreaking havoc for thousands of years.  They were mentioned in Greece as early as 400 B.C. and were brought to the Western Countries by the European Settlers.  Upon the invention of DDT, a powerful and extremely toxic pesticide, they were almost completely eliminated in the West.  In the 1990’s, following the ban of DDT, bed bugs made a comeback in cities like New York and San Francisco.  They have since made their way across the U.S.A. and have invaded dormitories, hotels, apartments, and even the personal homes of unsuspecting families.

Bed Bugs vs. Dust Mites

First of all, please don’t confuse bed bugs with dust mites.  They are two very different organisms.  Dust mites are microscopic and feed on human skin cells.  Bed bugs on the other hand can grow up to a quarter of an inch in size and are parasitic creatures. They feed off the blood of warm-blooded animals or humans.  They can cause a whole host of allergic reactions in those who sleep in their presence. Bed bugs have also been known to carry pathogens for several diseases such as anthrax, plague, yellow fever, and typhus.  However, there is no conclusive scientific proof linking bed begs to the spread of these diseases.

Bed Bug Identification

  • Adults are broad, oval, with a wingless flat body and are about...


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Filed Under: Bed Bugs, May 2011, Slideshow Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Don’t Lose Sleep Because Of Bed Bugs

May 1, 2011 By 1 Comment

Do you have bed bugs?

Chances are you may not have them, but with their ease of transportation, global reach and long life, it is possible for you to come across their path in the near future.

Fact: Bed bugs can live for up to 18 months without a food source.

Fact: Most people will acquire bed bugs at hotels, motels, bed-and-breakfasts or travelling abroad, bringing the bed bug infestation to their homes in their luggage or clothing.

Understanding Bed Bugs

It’s important to understand bed bugs, where they hide and how to locate their hiding places. The bed frame is their favorite hiding places and knowing where to look is the first step in bed bug control.

Bedbugs aren’t known to infest an entire house or apartment. They like to hide in places where they know people or animals sleep. They can be anywhere in the bedroom such as the box springs, mattress, baseboard, springs, wicker furniture, along the tracks of dresser drawers, behind cove molding or even in the laundry.

Natural Treatments for Bed Bugs

1. The first step in eradication is detection.

To pinpoint a problem with bed bugs, there are a variety of signs one should be on the lookout for. Below you will find some of the most common signs of bed bugs:...


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Filed Under: Bed Bugs, May 2011, Healthy Recipes & Eating Ideas, Slideshow Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Are Bed Bugs A Wake Up Call For A Nation Spiritually Asleep?

May 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Every one of us needs to sort out how we believe God is involved in the world today. Many may not admit they are Deists: they believe in God, but they are unwilling to give him credit or blame for any direct involvement in the world today. This is a theology of a God who had hands-on connections back in the beginning, or in Bible days, but today is pretty silent, leaving us to ourselves.

What the Bible actually says is that all things are sustained by him (Colossians 1:17), at all times. Were God to lift his hand for a mere nanosecond, even molecules at the atomic level would instantly unravel.

God is not silent today; he is always communicating, always speaking, guiding, confirming, correcting and warning. The problem is many are not familiar with the sound of his voice and few are fluent in God’s language of choice: symbolism.

Symbolism is the language throughout the Bible: significant numbers, colors, creatures and circumstances. God has even used everyday things like coats or clay pots to communicate a message. Jesus taught his disciples to see the spiritual, symbolic meaning behind everyday events.

A number of years ago, I read Murray Dueck’s fascinating book called, “If It Were A Dream, What Would It Mean? Discovering the Spiritual Meaning Behind Everyday Events.” To be clear, greater meaning and significance is not to be milked out of every little news item. However, those with prophetic sense note that there are spiritual signs of something more in transpiring events. Those with eyes to see the signs and discern deeper spiritual significance are never able to prove it is indeed God speaking; they just have a sense to guide their prayers.

Because of Dueck’s book and his fascinating examples of God speaking to the world today, you can understand how my interest was piqued last fall with this headline: “Plague of Bed Bugs Found in Empire State Building.” The word “plague” triggered ...


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Filed Under: Bed Bugs, May 2011, Slideshow, Spiritual Dimension of Wellness Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

How to Fight Bed Bugs and Win

May 1, 2011 By 1 Comment

“You want me to do WHAT???  For how long?”

These are the words of my dear friend who was recently told how she needed to comply in order for her apartment to be treated for bed bugs.  This were the orders she was given before the fumigation began:

  • Run ALL her clothes through a high heat dryer cycle and bag in sealable bags – or dry clean all applicable wardrobe pieces.
  • Strip all beds, clean and launder sheet and also place in sealable bags.
  • Break down and safely dispose of unwanted beds, furniture, mattresses and more.
  • Pull all furniture 8 inches away from the wall to allow for proper inspection and treatment.
  • Empty and pack items from dresser drawers, bureaus, nightstand, bookshelves, wall units, closets and more.
  • Perform detailed crack and crevice vacuuming throughout apartment including rugs, sofas, cribs etc..
  • Treat non-treatable items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned with specialized solution that kills bed bugs on contact.
  • Order corrugated boxes to pack all food items.
  • Seal up the boxes properly to prevent any spread of bed bugs into or out of that area.
  • Pack all items of clothing that will not be needed into suitable boxes to be stored or sent off for fumigation.
  • LIVE like this for 3 weeks!!!

Do you know how many bed bugs she found?...


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Filed Under: Bed Bugs, May 2011, Grandma's Cure Corner, Slideshow Tagged With: , , , , ,

Bed Bug Spray Review

May 1, 2011 By 3 Comments

A review of the best bed bug spray for exterminating and preventing bed bugs – used at home and by hotels, pest control companies and cleaning professionals.

Green Rest Easy Natural Bed Bug Spray

Cinnamon scented Green Rest Easy Natural Bed Bug Spray is pesticide free and kills & repels bed bugs naturally and a TRUE GREEN product, 100% based on all-natural, meeting all the requirements of the USDA for use around Organic Food processing. Spray directly on mattresses, pillows, bedding, luggage, carpets, chairs, walls, cracks, crevices, interior of night stands and dresser drawers. Green Rest East will help you avoid the bed bug infestation nightmare. Let us know if you used Green Rest Easy!

All Stop Dead Bed Bugs Spray

Here is a product that that is on the market called All Stop Dead Bed Bugs from Q Based Health care. If you want to add something to the tool kit this may be an option. All Stop Dead Bed Bugs Spray is eco-friendly and does not include harsh pesticides or carcinogens, such as permethrins and pyrethrins. The fresh Peppermint-scented spray combats all stages of the Bed Bug life cycle – from eggs to adults! The organic ingredients are so safe and effective that you can sleep on your bed the very same night you treat it!

EcoBugFree Spray

A EPA exempt spray that is claimed to work effectively on bed bugs. A K4 Product that comes with a money back guarantee. The active ingredients are as follow: Active Ingredients: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Sorbate. Other Ingredients Include: Water, Yeast, Acetic Acid. Should be used on areas where you sit a lot or lie down. Not on sheets or pillow cases though.

Bed Bug Luggage Spray

JT Eatons has done it again. They came out with a spray called Bed Bug Luggage Spray that basically acts as a measure to avoid bringing bed bugs home with you from a trip. If you are a business man or maybe vacation often, this product might be something to look into. Not too expensive for some piece of mind.  To use Bed Bug Control, lightly spray it on the outside of your luggage, especially along the zipper. Luggage often comes into close proximity with other luggage when on planes, buses, or cruise ships, which may be infested with bed bugs.

Sterifab Bed Bug Spray

Sterifab is a good contact killer for bed bugs as it has no residual and can be used for everything from dust mites to bed bugs. If you are not fond of spraying pesticides then I would suggest looking into Sterifab as an option. One customer writes, “Using this product is as simple as cleaning your bedroom-dust, take the pictures off the wall, strip the mattress, and spritz away! I haven’t had a bite in over three weeks and there is no residue or after-smell. Now I can just vacuum, dust a bit, and everything is clean and good to go! This is a great product and a fabulous website. Everyone loves a good buffet, but with Steri-Fab, you don’t have to be one, LOL. Thanks again!”

Eaton’s Bed Bug Killer Spray

So you are looking for a spray that can kill bed bugs? Eaton’s Bed Bug Killer is a quart sized ready to use spray used mostly as a follow up to a bed bug treatment to kill any re-emerging bed bugs. It is an oil based contact killer so there is no residual and because it is oil based you have to be careful where you spray it. It seems to be getting good review on the web. One of the few products out there specifically for the little buggers. Eaton Kills Bed Bugs product should be used carefully. Eaton’s Bed Bug Killer Spray is a popular “residual” killer in that it’s ability to kill lasts for up to 16 weeks. Working in Conjuction with JT Eatons Bed Bug Killer (red bottle) and JT Eatons Bed Bug Powder (green bottle), bed bugs can be safely and effectively wiped out with deadly precision (always review and follow the bottles label and directions).

Best Yet Bed Bug Control Spray

There is a product that is claiming some pretty amazing stuff. Best Yet Bed Bug Control from Cedar Cide Industries is claiming to be the best bed bug control product and the safest on the market. The website for the company is amazing and if all they are claiming is true, then this product could very well be a definite tool for the toolbox. Made entirely from natural products it is a multi-purpose treatment, killing a whole host of other insects including fleas, mosquitoes, and ticks. In fact, the makers say that it is so safe it can even be used as a head lice treatment on your own head. Best Yet Bed Bug Spray has food grade ingredients so it does not smell bad, feels better on the skin.

Filed Under: Bed Bugs, May 2011, Product Review & Recommendation, Review Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Packtite™ Delivers The Heat To Kill Bed Bugs

May 1, 2011 By 1 Comment

It’s been well documented that a constant temperatures above 117 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour kills all stages of bed bugs. The Packtite™ heater is basically a large canvas box with an interior platform where items can be placed inside.  It comes with a digital thermometer to monitor the inside temperature. This is great news since most pesticides do not affect bed bugs eggs.

Some bed-bug experts say it’s not unusual for an infested family to spend upwards of $5,000 in heat treatment to get rid of the critters, which might involve applying for various permits for such thermal treatments.  Packtite™ is very easy to use and can help treat your personal items with confidence.

While people suffering from bed bugs in their home can eliminate bed bugs on fabric and clothes with extended drying cycles, the dilemma of how to kill bed bugs in items that cannot be put into a washer and dryer was problematic until the Packtite™. Items such as:

  • Computer bags
  • Luggage
  • Shoes
  • Belts
  • Paper and file folders

…can be placed in the box and left to bake, destroying any bugs or eggs that have found their way into those items. Dry clean only items can also be placed inside, which can save hundreds of dollars in dry cleaning bills.  After treating belongings inside the Packtite™, it is suggested to...


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Filed Under: Bed Bugs, May 2011, Product Review & Recommendation, Recommendation Tagged With: , , , ,

Bed Bugs Love Celebrities, Too!

May 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Flickr by casspixx

Not only are beds, luggage and clothes susceptible to bed bugs, now there is evidence of cars being infested. From the ditches if World War II to the heights of Manhattan penthouses, bed bugs have found a home in the limousine of celebrity Howard Stern. Beg bug sniffing dogs were utilized to sweep Stern’s limousine, which were also found in his office.

Howard Stern stated that “Supposedly we’re 100 percent bed bug-free. The only place in New York City that probably is 100 percent bed bug-free … [But] I’m scratching every minute.”

No one is immune from bed bugs, not even the famous. Bed bugs are indifferent, bastardly and prey on the poor and the wealthy. Stephanie Seymour, Renee Zellweger and a host of other celebrities have also come in contact with the little bed bug suckers – or biters, for that matter!

Celebrities, in particular are susceptible to bed bugs, after traveling a lot and staying in various hotels, and they might just pick up bed bugs somewhere and bring them home. It’s not just the hotels that put celebrities at risk. Their tendency to buy multiple properties and perpetual-motion lifestyles also increase bed-bug risk.

The only advantage a celebrity might have in conquering bed bugs is that instead of cleaning everything, they just replace everything!

Filed Under: Bed Bugs, May 2011, Celebrity Health Watch Tagged With: , ,

5 Step Exercise to Remove Bed Bugs From Your Home

May 1, 2011 By 1 Comment

You get one morning and discover your arms and legs are full of unexplained itchy welts and rashes.  This is unfortunate news.  You have just been attacked by the enemy at your most unaware moment.  The welts are proof that a bed bug has crawled all over you for a snack.  If you wake up welts all over your torso, it could signify that you are now sharing living quarters with a bed bug (or an army of bed bugs), who lurk in the dark crannies of your room and stand by until you are deep in slumber to crawl out and dine on your blood.

For successful elimination of these parasites, you have to first find out their precise location in order to take precautions against their re-entry.  This can be done either on your own or with the assistance of a competent pest control company.

To deal with the bed bug menace, you first have to carry out a meticulous exercise of extermination.

  1. Vacuum and steam clean your furniture and rugs in your house.
  2. Give a high temperature cleaning treatment to your bed sheets and pillow covers in a good washing machine, which ensures that all remaining bug die in the heat.
  3. Clean the floors and other solid surfaces with a brush and a disinfectant solution to remove traces of bed bug eggs laid here and there.
  4. Throw the waste in properly sealed plastics bags and into a distance garbage bin to prevent the pests from entering your home again.
  5. Block every gap in your house, especially around sewage pipes and faucets.

It is recommended in your bed bug extermination exercise that you use natural and organic pest control measure and avoid dangerous pesticides or chemical solutions, which can prove to be harmful if they come in contact with your items of daily use.  Regular cleaning habits and observance of sanitation around your residence can greatly contribute to stopping bed bug invasions.

Exercise these 5 steps of extermination to safeguard yourself, your family and your home from bed bug invasion.

 

Filed Under: Bed Bugs, May 2011, Slideshow, Weight Control, Exercise & Fitness Tips Tagged With: , , ,

Best Anti-Aging. Of Dustmites and Bed Bugs.

May 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment

What More Can Microscopic Bugs Do To Damage Our
Anti-Aging Beauty Efforts?

After a grueling week of moving, my wife fell asleep on our apartments carpeted floor. Not one to be driven by anti-aging beauty and it’s many expensive products and time consuming regimens, she thought noting of getting-up and going about her day.

As one of the more observant men of the species, I did have to point out how puffy her eyes were and pale her skin was. Not, of course, commented on her outer anti-aging beauty, rather simply making her aware of what a difficult night of sleep on the hard carpeted floor can do to her skin and complexion.

Well, that was all I had to say. Now, I was being enlisted to find the causes of these irregularities and treat them immediately with whatever was available. After all, she was really puffy. So off I went to determine the common causes of her afflictions, or allergies and what there was available to treat them.

I wasn’t in fact, the one who first came up with the dust mite theory. It was she, who blurted it out as we covered an almost complete list of possible carpet related causes of puffy eyes, sallow skin and fatigue (not to mention, the carpet wasn’t that comfortable a sleep). So beyond the substantial dust and poor breathing that a combined with a lack of oxygen can produce, we considered the environmental issues related to cockroach eggs, dander (pets), mites, chemical allergies, rug dyes, sleeping on hard surfaces and even bed bugs without the beds.

The initial consideration was that the difficult environment to breath, was a cause for the discolored skin not to mention the sleeping position). As it is, her shallow breathes often causes headaches. A night on the carpet would exacerbate this. In addition, we couldn’t know for sure if any bed bugs had contacted her directly, but certainly, despite the cleaning of the carpet that morning, any eggs, or carcasses would likely still be in the fibers. Few, if any vacuums can truly claim to rid the carpet of 99% of allergens, if that is what they truly are.

Yes, it all seems quite gross when considering what might be in the microscopic world of carpet fibers, but consider if you will the minute size of some chemical molecules and the damage just a few parts per million of them can do to our bodies and minds. For this reason it is very wise to limit the use of deep pile carpets in your home and to take considerable care when cleaning them, whether you have reactions or not, (I’m not one to label every reaction an “allergy.” That is for the Western docs to chase down. In fact, our body’s immune systems are often quite capable of dealing with these environmental hazards if it is healthy enough and that last comment is key).

We should also consider the individual in question and what their medical backgrounds are? In this case, she had certain weaknesses to allergens and the dust alone could cause her to retain water and increase blood flow to the under-eye area. For myself, I didn’t suffer the same “reactions” to sleeping on the caret. Perhaps because I didn’t sleep, but a little upright walking, cool air and water to help drain out the nights lethargy and possible mites and bed bugs, did the trick over the course of the day. If we had had some cucumber, I would have recommended that too!

What long-term impact this would have on her anti-aging beauty appearance was limited at best. Many individuals are concerned about constant puffy eyes and allergic reactions. On the face, continued exposure to these harsh sleep environments will have an affect, such as broken blood vessels, darkening circles (pooling blood under the eyes, puffiness) and the like, but nipping the reactions before they become ingrained is the key and women are better at this than men. Men, you should take note of this.

 

 

by Lorne Caplan, adapted from www.hs-zc.com

 

Filed Under: Bed Bugs, May 2011, Living Healthy to 120: Anti-Aging Breakthroughs Tagged With: , , ,