Category: Curtains

Bed Bugs In The Big Apple

by

Judd Snell

Unlike the struggling Mets and Knicks, bed bugs have again made headlines in New York City. In 2004, bed bug violations in New York City totaled 377 in 2004, up sharply from only two in 2002 and 16 in 2003. Reports of bed bug infestations continuously come from different parts of the US but those coming from New York are seemingly the most disturbing.

Hordes of bed bugs were found in a duplex apartment in Park Avenue, while residents of a Riverside Drive co-op spent $20,000 to get rid of these pesky insects. The comeback of bed bugs has been attributed by entomologists and pest control groups to the continued entry of immigrant settlers coming from third world countries, increased travel activity and use of less effective insecticides. A new mattress bought from a department store may have been stored in a truck carrying a bug infested couch disposed by its owner. Bed bugs are not choosy on what type of place to dwell, as long as there is a warm body available nearby. Even a well-cleaned and maintained home will be good for them, unlike roaches or mice, which prefer to move in a filthy environment. Once they enter a home, bed bugs can attach themselves to pants and crawl into neighboring apartments. Anybody that stays in a hotel has a chance of bringing home bed bugs and even some of New York’s best places to stay in have infestations. Bed bugs have been found in private schools, hospital maternity wards and even in the waiting room of a local hospital in downtown New York. Bed bugs were almost an afterthought shortly after World War II by using DDT. However, concerns over the possible effects of the chemical to human health eventually resulted in the banning of its use. Bed bugs have the scientific name “Cimex lectularius”. They don’t have wings unlike most insects and have a brownish color. Bed bugs move the similarly to nocturnal parasites whereas they are active in hunting for human hosts. They are normally inactive during the day and only come out during nighttime. Given this behavior people will only be able to discover them when their population has risen to hundreds or even thousands. Human blood is the favorite meal of bed bugs but they can also feed on cats and dogs if they are left with no option. Bed bugs have highly developed mouthparts to bite and suck blood. The insects usually come out to attack when the person occupying the bed has dozed off to dreamland. Bed bugs eat for as short as less than a minute to as long as 10 minutes. They can expand three times their original size once they are filled with blood. However, humans will have a hard time detecting that he is being victimized by a bed bug, as its bite is painless. However, bed bugs do not transmit disease and the bite only results in an orderly trail of red wheals that dermatologists mistakenly identify as scabies or hives. The lifespan of an adult ed bug can last for as long as a year and a female can lay as much as 500 eggs. Bed bugs prefer beds with many holes and tears and can even occupy egg foams, sleeping bags, cardboard stacks and even waterbeds. Waterbeds feature nooks and crannies and normally kept warm. Insecticides bought from the local hardware have become ineffective in fighting bed bugs, as they have become more resilient over the years. Using a cockroach bomb will only scatter them in different areas of a room. Pest control groups in New York have advised those with beg bug problems to wash and bag every piece of clothing in an infested room, as part of a pre-extermination procedure. Garments or beddings badly infested should be thrown out, as these cannot be sprayed with insecticides based. Cleaning clutter is also a requirement, as spaces filled with belongings will just delay the inspection and treatment process. In addition, bed frames and bureau drawers need to be taken apart, as various chemicals will be used in the treatment. Processes need to be done multiple times if the infestations are of the worst kind. Despite various ways to fight bed bugs, people need to accept the fact that they are back and will continue to stay in the Big Apple.

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kill roaches

, visit the

About Animals

website.

Article Source:

Bed Bugs In The Big Apple}

Submitted by: John Schofield

A homeowner who just moved into a new home or who has renovated it may also be considering changing the windows. This may involve a decision between the blinds and the curtains. This decision may be a bit difficult to do, but there are certain advantages in using blinds that you cannot get from curtains.

Easy to Clean

If you clean curtains, you need to remove them from the window and get them to the washing machine. Since they are too bulky to be placed in the dryer, you still need to find a spot to hang and dry them without ruining the fabric. This is obviously a hassle process, which is opposite to cleaning blinds. You only need to dust them off with a rag, dusting cloth or vacuum cleaner. For vinyl or plastic slats, they can be washed and soaked in a tub with warm water quite easily. Cleaning the curtains is still more of a hassle.

Durable

Curtains are not ideal for homes with pets. Cats and dogs are particularly playful with anything that moves or sways. They might keep on playing and clawing the curtains with their teeth and claws, resulting to ruined fabric. Curtains also present danger to your pets because they might get entangled while playing. On the other hand, pets may have a hard time of reaching the window blinds, especially if you are using verticals. Moreover, you can easily replace a damaged slat or a broken cord. The replacement process is quite simple so you can do it alone without calling a professional.

Reduces Allergens

Curtains can easily become homes or nesting grounds of animal dander or dust mites, which can easily trigger allergies in the people living at your home. This is especially dangerous if you have kids or older people at home or when you have someone with asthma, a serious condition. Since window blinds are easier to clean, you can prevent the growth of allergens at home.

Looks Modern

Curtains are more traditional than the use of window blinds. If you want your home to look neat and modern, the blinds are the solution to this. They might appear simple but they still look attractive.

Light Control

Curtains are good at keeping the light out but if you want more light, a problem arises because curtains still block light even when they are kept to the sides. Window blinds can give a room a lighter and brighter atmosphere if you want to flood the room with more light. They are also good at blocking off light by closing the slats.

Easy to Use

Curtains are sometimes hard to close or open. Your kids may not even be able to manage them. On the other hand, window blinds are simple operated with a movement of the wrist to close or open them.

Good Ventilation

Curtains usually absorb all the odours that pass through your home. If you keep your curtains closed, the entire house will still smell like the foods that you had for dinner the other night. Plastic window blinds keep off odours from their material.

too.

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