Latest news with #infestation
CBS News
2 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Dallas-Fort Worth ranks 5th in worst bed bug-infested cities in the U.S., study says
DFW is the 5th most bed bug-infested area in the U.S. DFW is the 5th most bed bug-infested area in the U.S. DFW is the 5th most bed bug-infested area in the U.S. If you need some motivation to get your laundry done, Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the most bed bug-infested areas in the country, according to call data released this month from the pest control company Terminix. The annual study ranks DFW as the fifth worst city for bed bugs in the U.S., topped only by Los Angeles, Cleveland, New York and reigning champ Philadelphia. The rankings are determined by the number of bed bug control services. The study says it's likely due to our warm climate, plus a high rate of tourism and travel. Bed bugs thrive in warm, humid conditions and love to hitchhike. How to identify bed bugs Full-grown bed bugs are brown or reddish-brown with an oval-shaped body about the size of an apple seed, the EPA says, while their young are much smaller, translucent or whitish-yellow, and can be very hard to see. Bed bugs come out at night to feed on human blood. Bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, but their bites can cause allergic reactions. Bed bugs can be found in a variety of places, including homes, hotels, public transportation, and even some businesses. How to know if you've been bitten by a bed bug Bed bugs eat all three meals of the day at once, so look for the "breakfast, lunch and dinner" sign. The bites themselves often look like red bumps, but can also vary slightly from person to person. It may take several days for the marks to appear. Bed bugs are not attracted to dirt and grime and do not have a preference for specific blood types. Some people may have a strong reaction to bed bug bites, while others have little to no reaction, and it may appear that bed bugs are targeting specific individuals. According to the Mayo Clinic, bed bug bites don't usually need treatment and disappear on their own within a week or two. If needed, you can ease symptoms by using a skin cream containing hydrocortisone or an oral antihistamine. Travel tips When you arrive at a hotel or vacation rental, do a thorough search of the bed — underneath it, behind the bed frame, on the sides of the mattress and in between the mattress and frame. Bring a flashlight; check the seams of the bed sheets. If you see anything that looks like rust, call management. If you're able, turn over the mattress, no matter what size. Bed bugs like to congregate in dark places. You can also look for blood stains or small black dots that look like mold or ground pepper. Spraying with isopropyl alcohol can kill bed bugs, and it can kill their eggs — but it only kills on contact. The bugs must be sprayed directly, and it can be very difficult to find and expose them. Keeping your belongings off the ground in your accommodations is another way to prevent bedbugs from hitching a ride. Instead, opt to place items on the tops of dressers or other spots higher up. Believe it or not, the safest place in a hotel room to keep your luggage is in the bathtub. The critters are less likely to be found in the bathroom, where tile floors are less inviting. Examine your luggage when you repack and inspect it for any black or brown spots and launder all the clothing you brought with you with the hottest water when you get home. Preventing bed bug infestations If you've got some time on your hands and want to busy yourself with a home DIY project, you can buy some caulk and work to seal the cracks and crevices in your home, the EPA suggests. This will help prevent bed bugs and other pests from entering. Keep personal belongings as well as bags you've brought in from outside off the floor and away from your bed. Treating bed bug infestations Call an exterminator. Treatments cost anywhere from $1-$8 per square foot. Look for EPA-registered pesticides that have bed bugs listed on the label. Don't use pesticides and other powerful chemicals meant for outdoors, inside. Wash clothing and bedding at a high temperature. Seal mattresses and box springs in protective covers, the EPA says. With covers that seal, the bed bugs will get trapped inside and die. Steam cleaning and vacuuming can help, but may not be enough to rid your home of the critters. Keep inspecting for bed bugs at least every 7 days in case any eggs remain.
ABC News
2 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Migrant worker's home infested with cockroaches
A video from the home migrants working in the NSW Riverina region under the PALM scheme shows an infestation of cockroaches. Supplied: Paul Maytom
CTV News
5 days ago
- Science
- CTV News
Edmonton keeping eye out for ‘relentless killer' in tree canopy
In this Oct. 26, 2011 file photo, forester Jeff Wiegert, of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, removes emerald ash borer larvae from an ash tree at Esopus Bend Nature Preserve in Saugerties, N.Y. There are reports of a potential emerald ash borer beetle infestation in the Concord, N.H.-area. If the reports are confirmed, state officials will need to set up a quarantine to ensure infested ash trees, branches, logs, and firewood are contained. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Creepy crawlies: Top 10 bed bug-infested cities in the US
A city in Georgia has landed on a list no city wants to top, the top 10 bed bug-infested cities in the U.S. The study, by Terminix, is based on the number of bed bug control services across the country. With Atlanta consistently near the top, experts say residents and travelers alike should take extra precautions to avoid them. Here is more. According to the study, Atlanta takes the No. 6 spot, making it the most bed bug-prone city in Georgia. Philadelphia New York Cleveland-Akron (Canton) Los Angeles Dallas - Ft. Worth Atlanta Houston Washington, D.C (Hagerstown) San Francisco - Oak - San Jose Indianapolis Bedbugs are tiny pests capable of causing significant disruption with just one infestation. These small, brown, oval-shaped bugs spread rapidly. Adult females produce 200-500 eggs over their 6-12 month lifespan. Bedbugs were eradicated in the middle of the 20th century but made a triumphant return as the human population began to travel more, according to the UC Riverside Center for Invasive Species Research. Today, they can be found in dark, tight, hidden spaces. Here are some ways you can protect yourself and your belongings against infestation: Reduce clutter Vacuum frequently Keep your belongings away from others' Seal cracks Check and clean secondhand furniture and clothes Other than checking for the live bugs themselves, look for signs of: Reddish stains from bedbugs being crushed Dark spots from bedbug excrement Eggs, eggshells and shedding skins Wash bedsheets, clothing, linens and curtains in hot water. Then, put them in the dryer on the hot setting for at least 30 minutes. Use a stiff brush on mattress seams to remove bedbugs and their eggs. Vacuum your bed and the surrounding area. Place the vacuum cleaner bag in a plastic bag and put it in a trash can outside. Encase your mattress in a bed bug mattress cover and keep this on for at least a year since bed bugs can survive up to that long without feeding. Repair cracks in walls or plaster and glue down peeling wallpaper to limit hiding places. Get rid of clutter around the bed. While these tips can help, using chemicals is the most effective way to exterminate bed bugs. WebMD suggests hiring an experienced exterminator for the best results. Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@ This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: What city in Georgia is the worst for bed bugs?
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Bedbug 'massacre' at Las Vegas hotels leads to multiple lawsuits from guests with 'injuries'
Bedbug infestations at two locations in Las Vegas have sparked legal action after four travelers reported severe "injuries." Three lawsuits were filed in April against two resorts on the Las Vegas strip for incidents that occurred in the summer of 2024. Treasure Island guest Teresa Bruce noticed bites on her body during her June 21 stay, according to the official complaint. She decided to switch rooms but wound up with more bites. Flight Passenger Spots Cockroaches Crawling In Airplane Cabin: 'Never Again' The guest was "harmed and offended" by the bites, according to the complaint, and "suffered injuries." Bruce alleged that the hotel confirmed both rooms had bedbugs after sending in a risk management team. Read On The Fox News App At the Luxor Hotel on June 8, Stephen and Courtney Gully noticed bites on their bodies that were "swelling and becoming aggravated, appearing red, swollen and becoming increasingly itchy," according to their complaint. Courtney Gully's reaction was so severe, the complaint indicated, that her throat "felt like" it was closing, and she was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Invasive Insect Poses Health Threats In 19 States, Expert Warns The Gullys were "forced to purge essentially all of their personal belongings" due to the "severity of the infestation," according to the complaint. About a month later, on July 16, Brianna McKenzie also stayed at the Luxor and made similar allegations in her own complaint. The lawsuit complaint said she had been "massacred by bedbugs" and suffered "other personal injuries, emotional distress and damages." Attorney Brian Virag, founder and CEO of My Bed Bug Lawyer, is representing all plaintiffs in these cases and commented on the situation. "We have filed these cases because our clients have been exposed to bedbugs, and they suffered injuries and damages," the Los Angeles-based attorney told Fox News Digital. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "We wanted to not only make sure to represent them, but also to bring awareness that bedbugs in Las Vegas hotels are a real problem." Virag said most of his clients have suffered from bites, scarring and itchiness, which have led to emergency room visits. Clients have also claimed emotional damage from bedbug exposure, as Virag noted that the resulting trauma is "super significant." The attorney urged resort owners to prioritize guest safety by using housekeepers who are "very adequately trained" in recognizing and eliminating bedbugs. "They need to maintain proper pest control procedures and protocols," he said. "And they just have to make sure that when they turn over a guest room, it is free from bedbugs." He added, "You want to try to get to a bedbug infestation as early as possible, because bedbugs reproduce at a really high rate." For more Health articles, visit For those who may have been exposed to bedbugs, Virag recommended documenting everything. "Typically, guests don't put two and two together right away if they have bites on their bodies," he said. "They're not necessarily thinking that it could be bedbugs. Always make sure you check yourself before you put your head on the pillow." Treasure Island and Luxor have not yet responded to the complaints, but Virag shared his expectation for a response to be filed in the near future. Fox News Digital reached out to both hotels requesting article source: Bedbug 'massacre' at Las Vegas hotels leads to multiple lawsuits from guests with 'injuries'
