Comments on: Bed Bugs & Beyond

By: Mark Schwartz

Mark Schwartz — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 22:27:16 +0000

Here's a blurb on natural treatments for bed bugs. It says you can use canola oil and pyrethins, which are natural flower extracts and are considered safe for use around people and pets. Hi Mark-- Thanks for the tip.� I hope to God I never have to use it. Cheers-- MRE�

By: Sean

Sean — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:38:31 +0000

Hello,

I am an entomologist and pest professional. I have put together a website (The Bed Bug Resource) where people can get factual, unbiased information about bed bugs.

Please visit at http://www.thebedbugresource.com

Sincerely,

Sean
Entomologist / Pest Professional
http://www.thebedbugresource.com

By: nobugs

nobugs — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 22:55:25 +0000

Thanks for the correction! It’s true that traditionally this was a common stereotype, and like many stereotypes there’s some truth in it. It is harder to fight bed bugs when you don’t have lots of money for pricy repeat pest control treatments and XXL ziplocs, and tons of repeat laundry. It’s also harder to make the choice to throw away your stuff, or not to take in other people’s used items. I think a lot of people who have more money are wary of speaking to the press so there’s less coverage of the rich victims!
All the Best!
Nobugs

By: nobugs

nobugs — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 08:55:10 +0000

Actually, with all due respect, you’re both wrong.

The people in the article did not fit the “lower end of the socio-economic scale.” Of the three, one was solidly in a higher income bracket, as it stated she”d just moved out of a home sold for $1.7 million. The second was solidly middle class and white collar, living in a doorman building near Columbus Circle. The third was a young former ballerina (no indication was given as to her income, but most people with professional ballet training are not considered uneducated or from the lower socio-economic classes.)

The reason there’s so much hype about bed bugs in the media is because there ARE bed bugs and they are spreading very fast. Bed bugs were once thought to be associated with poor people and homeless shelters, but they’re now spreading to all kinds of people, and in NYC, this is rich and poor, uneducated and MDs.

Hi nobugs–

I stand corrected.� I would have sworn that the article stated that the bed bug infestation was primarily a problem of the lower socio-economic classes, but when I went back and reread it twice, I couldn’t find such a statement.

Thanks for setting me straight.

Cheers–

MRE

By: Lyndsey

Lyndsey — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 21:32:54 +0000

As a former exterminator, I can safely say that I was more educated than most of my ‘clients’…and more educated on nutrition than my doctor. (Whom I absolutely adore, don’t get me wrong.)

Most of the people with bedbug problems I encountered were generally lower on the socio-economic scale, interestingly enough. Or perhaps that’s not too surprising…

Hi Lyndsey–

Your comments on the socio-economic status of people with bed bug problems mirrors precisely what the Village Voice piece said.

Cheers–

MRE