Councilman Backs Task Force To Handle Bedbug "Epidemic"

Councilman Backs Task Force To Handle Bedbug "Epidemic"

(Above) Magnified images of nest of bedbugs and close-up of a single one.

There is a rising insect epidemic in New York City. And for many it is a throw back to over 50 years ago when this pest was fought with the now-banned insecticide DDT. Now the hated bedbug is one the move again and causing great consternation in New York City.

"Tiny blood-sucking bedbugs have become an epidemic in New York City. The little pests have invaded even the cleanest and most expensive apartments in neighborhoods around New York. I fully support Councilwoman Gail Brewer who has called for a citywide bedbug task force to address the problem," said Councilman Kendall Stewart.

Bedbugs hide in cracks and crevices. They typically live in bedding and on mattresses, where they have easy access to food — you.

Other areas favored by bedbugs include:

• Between wooden floorboards

• In wall cracks and crevices

• In carpeting

• In the seams and cracks of furniture, particularly bed frames

• Under loose edges of wallpaper

• Behind peeling paint

(Right) Welts on arm of bedbug victim. Courtesy of WebMD.com

Bedbugs are rarely seen by their human victims. The first signs of a bedbug infestation are usually bites. Bedbug bites are generally painless, though itchy and annoying. They tend to start as swollen weals, then fade to red marks and gradually disappear over a few days. Although bed bugs are a nuisance, they are not known to spread disease.

"We are a First World city and I am very concerned that we have this problem. I am particularly concerned about the inner city and poor, at-risk communities with crowded living conditions can help spread this epidemic. Already my district office in Brooklyn has already started to record complaints about bed bugs. This is a problem that cannot be allowed to get out of hand," the councilman said.

According to WEbMD.com, don't assume your bites are bedbugs. Bites can be hard to identify, even for doctors. Rule out mosquitoes, fleas, mites, and biting gnats by conducting a visual inspection. It's best to collect and identify bedbugs to confirm bites. Look for the bugs themselves or their bloodstains, especially along the seams of mattresses. Further, look for dark spots of insect waste where bedbugs might crawl into hiding places on furniture, walls, and floors.

Stewart said that while eradicating the bugs from people's homes is an individual's responsibility, the city's health department must have a coordinated strategy to deal with this epidemic that works in conjunction with home and business owners where infestation takes place. He said that this partnership could help cashstrapped apartment, business and homeowners defray the costs of a professional exterminator.

"To beat this pest we must join forces in a way that allow our efforts to have the most impact and the best outcomes. Individuals alone cannot eradicate the bed bug scourge. City government must intervene and that means the Department of Health and Mental Health has to get involved in the process," Stewart said.