Bed Bugs Toronto

" Bed bugs Toronto are a problem, with 40 complaints registered in Toronto  on the public Bed Bug Registry.  Bedbug problems in Toronto mirror problems in other parts of the world, with a sharp increase in complaints.  The City of Toronto has several politicians who are lobbying for  stepped up public health inspections, a private bed bug registry and a public education campaign.."  

Bed bugs Toronto has been reported in the local press with reports of bed bugs in over 40 locations.   The problem was confirmed by the Toronto Public Health Department.  In response, the department launched the Bed Bug Project as the first step in fighting this problem.

According to the BedBugRegistry  there have been over 2,000 recent Metro Toronto Bed Bug Reports by Residents
Source: BedBugRegistry

Bed bugs can only be spread by people who carry them in luggage or used furniture from location to location.  The bed bugs then drop wherever the person visits, such as a friend's apartment or a hotel room.  Bed bugs have nothing to do with clutter or upkeep of a home.

The problem in Toronto is getting so bad that Toronto Sun columnist Joe Fiorito is collecting consumer stories in the hope that he can convince Toronto city government to put in place mandatory treatment protocols.  

Bed bug awareness in Toronto is improving with constant coverage in TheStar and bedbugs education and public health involvement being part of the political agenda.
If you have a Toronto bed bug story, please email it to Joe at jfiorito@thestar.ca.

Getting Rid of Bed Bugs Toronto 

Getting rid of bedbugs is not easy.  The first choice is to whether to do it yourself or hire a professional.  A professional will charge a fee to do a home inspection .  This can cost from $75 - $500, with the high end involving the use of a bed bug sniffing dog.  A professional treatment (s) will cost approximately $750 - $1000.

As an alternative, a do it yourself kit can cost $175.  It contains all of the products needed to fight bed bugs including a mattress safe spray, fossil dust, hand steamer and mattress covers.  A popular kit can be purchased from Dermisil for Bed Bugs which is an organic approach to bed bug removal. A good choice for an insecticide based kit is available from Amazon. 

Many homeowners go to a local hardware store and buy just a spray or bed bug bomb, however, most sprays and bed bug bombs will just disperse bed bugs to other locations. Bedbugs will temporarily disappear, but then quickly reappear as eggs hatch and dispersed bed bugs reappear.  

Our preference is that home owners purchase 2 spray products, a mattress safe knock down spray that kills bed bugs and bed bug eggs on contact a spray that provides a lasting or residual effect. The most popular knock down spray is Sterifab (alcohol plus synthetic pyrethroid) for use on the mattress and other areas that come in contact with people and pets.  

The most popular residual sprays, Phantom and Bedlam, are used to kill bedbugs in cracks and crevices, such as along baseboards.

See detailed instructions for do it yourself approach on our guide to  how to kill bed bugs.

Bed Bugs Toronto - News Stories

Fiorito: Help us win the war on bedbugs
thestar.com

A website that drives landlords buggy
- The Star.com

Bed bug website informs of pest ridden buildings
- 680news.com

The Daily Plank: War on bedbugs (10/8/10)
- thestar.com

BedBugs Toronto Government Resources

Toronto Department of Health

Toronto Health Connection - Maintained by the department of health for bed bug information or to report a problem. Call 416-338-7600 or email publichealth@toronto.ca

The Toronto Department of Health will examine a parasite you catch to determine if it is in fact a bed bug.  There are 6 walk-in centers where a bedbug can be dropped off for identification.  Pack the bug in a clear container filled with rubbing alcohol to preserve the bug.  Be sure to fill out this bed bug identification form.

Health Canada Bedbug Resources

Pest Management Regulatory Agency

Toronto Bed Bug Registry

Check the  Bed Bug Registry to see if any buildings or hotels in Toronto have been listed.   

Several complaints were listed in Toronto in the St. Jamestown's 280 Wellesley St. E., (9/09).

Toronto Bed Bug Pest Control Companies

When contacting a pest control expert, be sure to ask about their specific experience fighting bedbugs.  Ask for an estimate in writing, about any guarantees (bedbugs may require 2 to 3 treatments), and any special equipment they have including chemical and non-chemical approaches.  

We suggest getting quotes from several firms given that high cost of treatment.  To quickly compare companies we recommend:

1. Check with local bed bug pest control companies.  The Service Magic network (1.877.233.1145) is made up of local contractors that have been reviewed and that meet the standards of the network.  Contractors in the network will provide 4 free quotes.  
2. Search our database of bed bug exterminators.

Consumer reviews of bed bugs Toronto based pest control experts can be found on  Angies List. 

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