Bed Bugs Portland Maine

" Bed Bugs Portland Maine prevention, bed bug extermination, and information. According to bedbugregistry there have been over 20 recent reports of bedbug infestation in Portland (2011). Reports from local pest control experts indicate that the problem is growing in the City and throughout Maine. Maine bed bug infestations are not officially tracked by state government." Maine bed bug laws lead the nation in terms of the protections they provide for tenants. Landlords are required to pay for all treatment and must arrange for treatment within 10 days after bed bugs are found in any Maine apartment (see end of this page for detailed information)."

According to a story in the Portland Press Herald and the Main Sunday Telegram, the Bed Bug problem has spread to Portland. According to Ted St. Amand, president of Pest Solutions in Kennebunkport, "Portland's got a heck of a pocket going."

A recent story describes the use of Beagles to sniff out the distinct odor of bed bugs in Portland area homes and apartments. According to Mark Adelson, who is the deputy director of the Portland Housing Authority, the majority of their $1,000,000 pest control budget goes toward fighting bedbugs.

Bed Bugs Portland Maine Reports from BedBugRegistry

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

As mentioned later on in this post, the Maine Department for Disease Control and Prevention recommends hiring a Maine bed bug exterminator instead of treating the problem yourself. We suggest getting a few quotes (Service Magic - 1.877.233.1145 will provide up to 3 free quotes for Maine residents) as each exterminator will use different methods. Costs are approximately $750 or more and requires 2 to 3 treatments.

An alternative is to to and treat the problem yourself. This is possible, however, it is important to buy the correct combination of products. The best starting point is to buy a kit, as they include detailed instructions and products that have been selected for their effectiveness. There are two types of kits available, one that uses organic bed bug products, and or an insecticide based bed bug kit.

Typical steps for treating Portland Bed Bugs includes:

Step 1: Clean
Remove and wash in hot water any items such as clothing and bed linens. Once clean, place in a sealed plastic bag. Vacuum any bed bugs that you can spot and then dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag. Use the crevice tool in all tight places. Seal any cracks in the walls, particularly at the baseboards if you can.

Follow this with a hand steamer along all seams, cracks and other areas where bed bugs hide. Note that 50% of any infestation will be in and around the bed, including inside the box spring.

bed bugs boxspring
Bed Bugs Box Spring treatment is just as important as treating the mattress. Remove or peel back any fabric which covers the bottom. A very effective mattress safe spray that has shown no bed bug resistance is Sterifab.

Step 2: Use two types of Bed Bug Spray
Two types of bed bug sprays are needed when fighting any infestation. The first type, such as the Sterifab mentioned above, knocks down or reduces the size of the bed bug population (Bed Bug Patrol if you prefer organic products). These products do not provide lasting protection.

This is why other bedbug sprays (which should not be used on the mattress surface, but can usually be used around the edges of the mattress and on the bed frame, kill bed bugs and late hatching nymphs (baby bed bugs). For this purpose we suggest using the spray Phantom, which uses an insecticide which cannot be detected by bedbugs, so it does not repel them away from the treated area.

After mattress and box spring dries, buy a bed bug zippered casing to trap any remaining bugs (available from the same company).

Step 3: Use Bed Bug Dust
Spread bed bug dust (also called fossil dust) around the room in a very 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. Many experts recommend the use of a steamer on a mattress and in cracks (and in cracks) to kill the eggs.

Other suggestions include never bringing home used furniture and mattresses, since bed bugs can hide out of site, and then appear or hatch once you bring the furniture home.

See our guide for detailed instructions on eliminating bed bugs.

Another helpful trip is to treat luggage with a bed bug travel spray before leaving home. This will help to repel bed bugs that can hitch a ride on your luggage.

Bed Bugs Portland Government Resources

Bed Bugs Fact Sheet
- Maine Department of Health & Human Services
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention

To contact the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention about bed bugs Portland problems just dial 1.800.821.5821

Check to see if your Maine Pest Control contractor is licensed by on the Internet at the Maine Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) or call at 207.287.2731.

Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Maine Board of Pesticides Control, Augusta, ME 04333-0028
Tel 207-287-7545

City of Portland Health and Human Services Department - Brochure with helpful bed bug tips (PDF)

Portland BedBug Information and Press

Darkness and bite: Resurgent bedbugs cozy up to Maine
- Maine Sunday Telegram

Our View: Be careful that bedbugs don't drive bad choices
- Portland Herald

Portland Bed Bug Pest Control Experts

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends hiring a licensed exterminator to treat bed bug infestations. The easiest way to identify pre-screened, licensed and experienced exterminators is to contact or visit the Service Magic network (1.877.233.1145).

You can also search our database for Maine bedbug exterminators.

To find a licensed bed bugs portland pest control expert and consumer reviews you can also look on Angies List.

Bed Bugs Portland Landlord and and Tenant Law

There are Maine bed bug laws which protect tenants (Title 14 M.R.S.A. �6021-A - in effect 7/11/10). If a tenant informs a landlord (oral or written) that there is a bed bug problem in their apartment, the landlord must inspect the unit in 5 days after notification. If bed bugs are found, then the landlord must arrange for treatment within 10 days.

If you are planning to rent an apartment, landlords in Maine are required to disclose if any adjacent units have bed bugs or if there was bed bugs treatment including the date of treatment.

Landlords are not allowed to rent apartments if they know the unit currently has bedbugs.

Bed bugs portland and Maine tenants have to inform landlords the minute they even suspect that a bedbug problem exits. Tenants must allow landlords to inspect their apartment for bedbugs if requested. There are some limits in terms of what the landlord can inspect, such as the bed and upholstered furniture. Tenants are required to comply with landlords treatment plans, failure to do so can result in tenants being responsible for the costs of treatment.

If landlords do not treat the bed bug problem, they can be fined $250 or be liable for higher damages. Tenants that do not provide reasonable access to the apartment for bed bugs inspection or treatment can be forced to comply (14 M.R.S.A. �6030-A)

This is a helpful summary of bed bugs portland and Maine landlord tenant law from the law firm Shankman and Associates.

Other helpful resources for bed bugs Portland Maine residents are the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Maine Attorney Generals office.