Bed Bugs on the Rise in RI

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Thursday, October 07, 2010

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Editor Andrea E. McHugh

They shut down Niketown, Victoria’s Secret, and Abercrombie & Fitch in the Big Apple, and are grabbing more headlines than a rehabbing starlet. Blood-sucking bed bugs have infested homes, universities, and businesses coast to coast, and Rhode Island, unfortunately, is among the casualties. “I’ve been in the business for 45 years, and up until five years ago, we didn’t have to address them,” said Dave Pontes, general manager at New England Pest Control. “You know that saying ‘Don’t let the bed bugs bite?’ That was a pre-World War II saying, and we’re back to that level.”

Why Now?

Pontes cited to two main reasons for the steady increase in nationwide infestation. First, he said, Americans are traveling more than ever, and many to parts of the world where bed bugs have yet to be eradicated. “Second, it’s the immigrant influx over the past 10, 15 years. People are coming from countries where bed bugs are a much more common problem,” explained Pontes.

Leave It to a Pro

The small, parasitic insects spread city to city primarily by hitching a ride on people's clothing and in suitcases. Pontes said New England Pest Control has addressed infestations in local homes, hotels and universities, and since bed bugs generally lay 3-5 eggs daily, it usually requires 2-3 visits to eliminate the issue. “The key is preparation, the thoroughness of the treatment, and using the right products,” said Pontes. “They’re a very, very hard to eliminate.” Like termites, Pontes compared, it’s nearly impossible for a homeowner to successfully exterminate bed beds, and should seek the help of a professional.

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