Bed Bugs Ohio

"Bed bugs Ohio information is available from many sources including the Ohio State University Cooperative Extension and local government health departments. Four cities in Cleveland as making the top 15 list of most infested cities in the U.S. (Cincinnati #4, Columbus #7, Dayton #8, Cleveland #14), making Ohio the #1 state for bed bug problems. Unfortunately, bedbug infestations are occurring across the State including outbreaks in Toledo, Columbus and Cincinnati. Read local bed bug news, tips on killing bed bugs and find local government resources below."

Consistent with the overall trend of increase bed bug infestations, an apartment house in Columbus was featured in a 10TV news story on the infestation. According to Dana Rose, code enforcement officer in Columbus, and the Columbus Dispatch, indicated that bed bug infestation reports are coming in "2 to 3x a week from all over the city."

Bed bugs in Dayton have been a problem for apartment residents. Approximately 180 residents of the Biltmore residence had to move out of their homes for a week while exterminators sealed the building and used Vikane gas to kill the bedbugs.

With government funding shortfalls in Cincinnati, proactive inspections have ended with government focusing on lower cost education efforts. Cincinnati.com reported that there are approximately 12 bed bug infestation cases reported in Northern Kentucky per week (2009). Cincinnati State Representatives are calling for government assistance with the problem (2009). The Ohio State University extension recommends marking any discarded furniture that was thrown out due to bedbugs and to inspect hotel rooms before entering to determine if bed bugs are present, before bringing in luggage. Time Magazine has reported that the bedbug Cincinnati problems are so bad that some apartment tenants would rather sleep on the streets.

An article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer further confirms the Bed Bugs Ohio problem. A newspaper article on the bedbug problem quotes a representative from Orkin Pest Control who claims that in North Olmsted over the past 3 years (2007-2009), they've seen a +20% increase in bed bug related calls year to year.

Steps for Eliminating Bed Bugs Ohio From Your Home, Office or Apartment

The first step is to determine if you actually have a bed bug problem, which is best left to a professional. We always recommend contacting a local pest control professional that is part of a pre-screened network such as Service Magic (1.877.233.1145). Service Magic will also provide up to four free quotes.

If you want to have a bed bug identified without a bed bugs Ohio exterminator, you can also contact your local Ohio Cooperative Extension office.

Do It Yourself Bed Bugs Ohio Instructions

If you decide to treat the problem yourself, consider buying a bed bug removal kit. You can buy one that is an organic bed bug kit, or an insecticide based bed bug kit. The kits provide all of the products mentioned below and are an economical way to approach the problem. Getting rid of bed bugs is hard work, and having the right products available will help.

Step 1: Clean and Steam
Remove and wash in hot water any items such as clothing and bed linens. Once clean, place in a sealed plastic bag. A good choice are Ziploc Big Bags since they are bed bug proof. Vacuum any bed bugs that you can spot and then dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag. Use a crevice tool around the perimeter of the room, and along all mattress and box spring seams.

Other helpful steps include vacuuming (use crevice tool for baseboards, mattress, box spring etc). and the use of a hand held steamer.

Steam heat exceeds the required 113F needed to kill bed bugs and bed bug eggs. You can steam all surfaces (make sure you aren't staining furniture by testing first), which is a safe, chemical free way to treat bedbugs. Consider steaming items such as the mattress, box spring, bed frame, headboard etc before using bedbug spray products.

Use a Hand Held Steamer for a Safe and Effective Way to Kill Bedbugs and Bedbug Eggs

Step 2: Spray
Two types of bedbug sprays are needed to effectively remove bedbugs from the home. The first a knock down spray, kills bed bugs and bed bug eggs on contact. Our recommended products are Sterifab (pump spray that shows no bed bug resistance), Bedlam (aerosol that shows no resistance) and if your prefer an organic spray, use Bed Bug Patrol.

Treat the Seams and Tufts of a Mattress with a mattress safe spray such as Sterifab

The downside of a knock down spray is that they do not provide lasting protection. Because of this, an additional spray is needed. For this we suggest using Phantom. If you only want to use organic products, combine Bed Bug Patrol with the application of fossil dust (also called bed bug dust).

Treat the Inside of furniture such as night tables. Remove drawers and be sure to treat both the drawer track and the test of the inside of the furniture.

Follow the manufacturers directions, particularly when using products on areas that come in contact with your family or pets. Be sure to treat the insides and backs of furniture, end tables, along baseboards etc.

Step 3: Use Bed Bug Dust
Spread bed bug fossil dust around the room in a thin layer. If any bugs are left or if any eggs haven't hatched, the dust will attach to the bed bugs shell and kill them.

After treating mattress and box spring with knock down spray, add some bed bug dust to seams for residual or lasting bed bug protection

Step 4: Elevate Your Bed and Cover the Mattress and Box Spring
Move your bed four to six inches away from the wall. Either buy an inexpensive bed bug trap for each bed leg such as Climbup Interceptors or put double sided tape around each bed leg. Raising your bed on blocks, or placing each leg is a bowl filled with mineral oil or a thin layer of talcum powder or bed bug dust will help.

Put Some Type of Barrier, Climbup Interceptor, Double Sided Tape or Sticky Trap on Each Bed Leg

After treatment, consider using bed bug mattress covers on the mattress, box spring and pillows. Covers trap any bed bugs and bed bug eggs you might have missed.

See our guide for detailed instructions on eliminating bed bugs.

Bed Bugs Ohio Government Resources

Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force - a resource set up by Franklin Country to combat the growing bed bug problem

Ohio EPA - for more information contact Jed Thorp at (614) 644-2160

Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet

Ohio Department of Health Fact Sheet (PDF Download)

City of Cincinnati Bed Bug Hotline -(513)591-6000. Call with questions or complaints. Wrap anything infested furniture or other items in plastic wrap and call the city for removal (and additional details on disposal).

Bed Bugs Ohio Educational Resources

The Ohio State University Cooperative Extension (OSU) is an excellent source of bed bug information. They offer a bed bug fact sheet that can be downloaded here (PDF). Local OSU cooperative extension offices can help to confirm the identity of bed bug specimens. Call to confirm that your local office has a bed bug expert on staff.

Landlord and Tenant Rights Regarding Bed Bugs Ohio

Since bed bugs have not been linked them to the spread of disease, they aren't classified as "vermin" under state law (although pending bills in the Ohio state House and Senate would do so). The Centers for Disease Control this month identified them as a "pest of significant public health importance." So it is only a matter of time before landlords are required to treat infested apartments.

The classification, or lack of it, directly affects the legal rights of tenants, according to Mike Piepsny, executive director of the Cleveland Tenants Organization. if you live in Cleveland, good news is that tenants in Cleveland can break a lease over infestations because the city's health and safety codes declare bedbugs a public nuisance.

In Cleveland, if you are a tenant, you must give your landlord a written notice to correct any bed bug problem. If the landlord doesn't address the bedbug problem in 30 days, a tenant can break the lease. A sample letter that can be sent to landlords about bed bugs Ohio problems - informing them of a bed bug problem and a letter notifying the landlord after 30 days that you are breaking the lease is available by clicking this link to Cleveland Tenants.org.

Bed Bugs Ohio - News Stories

Bedbugs require attention of pest experts immediately
- Plain Dealer Reporter

Complaints Prompt Bed Bugs Review
- WCPO.com 9

Officials grapple with bed bugs
- Cincinnati.com

Scent Dogs Used To Sniff Out Bedbugs At Apartment Complex
- TV10 Columbus

Don't blame bedbugs for diseases
- Columbus Dispatch

Bedbug War to Empty Downtown Apartments
- Dayton Daily News

Bedbugs Back in Toledo
- Fox Toledo

Ohio Turns to Feds for Help in Battle Against Bedbugs
- Time Magazine

Ohio Bed Bug Pest Control Experts

Eliminating bed bugs from a home can be expensive. For this reason, it pays to contact a few local pest control companies in order to request quotes and to educate yourself on different approaches to the problem. Speed is key as an infestation can spread quickly.

1. Use Our Free Quote Service: Click here to tap into our database of local experienced bed bug professionals. This service will provide up to 4 free quotes.

3. Contact Service Magic (1.877.233.1145): This network of local bed bugs Ohio pest control experts is a convenient way to get 4 additional quotes at no charge. Bed bug exterminators are pre-screened before they can join the network.

Also, for a small fee, an excellent source for consumer reviews on licensed pest control firms on bed bugs Ohio is Angies List.