Sun 22 Apr 2012
Bed bugs biting more in Southern Arizona ~ KVOA.COM
Posted by Arizona Pest Control Company under arizona bed bug control, Arizona Bed Bug Exterminator, Tucson Bed Bug Control
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Bed bugs biting more in Southern Arizona
TUCSON – Bed bug cases are on the rise in Pima County.
The Pima County Health Department investigated 67 claims in 2010. They have investigated 34 so far in 2012, which is on pace for a 50% increase over the past 2 years. Data on how many investigations turned up positive were not immediately available.
Local pest control companies also say they are busy with the bugs.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re clean, poor, rich,” Stephen Thompson with Arizona Pest Control said, “they’re a hitch-hiking bug and they’ll get you.”
Arizona Pest Control reports a 5% increase in calls for bed bugs this year.
Only about 20% of their calls turn into a treatment job.
“Cost is always first and foremost,” Thompson said, “and secondly, is the inconvenience of not being able to sleep in that particular room.”
Treatment can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
They use a combination of chemicals and heat to kill the bugs.
The heat machine they use cost about $15,000. It will increase the temperature of a room above 140 degrees.
People trying to fix the problem on a budget can make the infestation worse in the future, according to Thompson.
“We’re seeing an explosion of the population due to overuse of chemicals not being used the right way,” Thompson said, “They’ll actually come back with a vengeance.”
The bugs do not actually pose any health risk, just an inconvenience, according to health officials.
Health department workers will investigate complaints at hotels, motels and apartments. Private homes do not have the same regulations.
