Bed bugs are described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as small, flat, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals while they sleep. The insects are found globally and have been discovered in everything from five-star hotels and resorts, to cruise ships, buses, trains, and homes.
To help the public, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers its Top Ten Tips to Prevent or Control Bed Bugs. The list includes:
- Make sure you really have bed bugs, not fleas, ticks, or other insects.
- Don't panic!
- Think through treatment options – Don't immediately reach for the spray can.
- Reduce the number of hiding places – Clean up the clutter.
- Regularly wash and heat-dry bedsheets, blankets, bedspreads, and any clothing that touches the floor.
- Do-it-yourself freezing may not be a reliable method for bed bug control.
- Kill bed bugs with heat, but be very careful.
- Don't pass your bed bugs to others.
- Reduce the number of bed bugs to reduce bites.
- Turn to the professionals, if needed.
In recent years, bed bugs have been found in towns and cities across the world. Puerto Rico and the rest of the Caribbean are no different, having also experienced a dramatic rise in bed bug cases. While bed bugs are not known to spread disease, their bite may cause itching and loss of sleep. Reports of bed bug infestations can also cause severe financial harm for any business unfortunate enough to have an infestation.
“Fortunately, there are exceptionally sensitive DNA-based laboratory testing techniques to help identify the presence of bed bugs or to confirm the effectiveness of eradication and cleaning efforts,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “At Zimmetry, our building science and indoor environmental quality professionals are pleased to offer this testing and monitoring service in Puerto Rico and across the region.”
Zimmetry also recently sponsored an educational video sharing the EPA's Top Ten Tips that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/PUcihrcXT_M
To learn more about this or Zimmetry's other indoor environmental quality testing, consulting, and compliance services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005, or email info@zimmetry.com.
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.
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