Top Five Ways to Avoid Bed Bugs

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Issues Guidance on How to Prevent and Detect Bed Bugs

Tallahassee, Fla. – In light of the 2^nd National Bed Bugs Summit hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D.C. this week, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued a list of five simple steps for consumers to follow to avoid bed bugs.

“The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is focused on preventing the spread of bed bugs in Florida,” said Andy Rackley, Director of Agriculture Environmental Services at the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “Infestation of bed bugs can be prevented. By partnering with key industries, we are working to raise awareness among Florida consumers.”

The Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services urges Floridians to take the following five simple steps to prevent, detect and remove bed bugs:

1. At home, look for signs that bedbugs may be present, such as small brownish-red to purple spotting on bedding, mattresses, furniture and luggage.
2. De-clutter your home to uncover places where bedbugs can hide.
3. Install bed bug monitors and traps, a relatively inexpensive way to detect bedbug infestations and target treatments.
4. When on travel, inspect bedding and furniture where you are staying and look for signs of bedbugs on your luggage before returning home.
5. If your home is infested, follow pesticide label guidelines when using registered pesticides or choose a licensed pest control company that has the experience and knowledge necessary to manage bedbugs.

Adult bedbugs are the size of an apple seed while immature ones are smaller. They can be found in the seams of bedding and sofas, behind headboards, picture frames, dressers, backpacks and many other places. Bed bugs bite, however, not all people react to bedbug bites. Bedbugs are not known to carry diseases.

The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is also planning to convene an advisory committee of representatives from other government agencies and key industries, including the hotel, hospital and nursing home industries, that may encounter bed bug infestations. Through this partnership, the Department plans to promote public awareness about bed bugs, provide information to consumers on how to protect themselves from bed bug infestations and prevent the spread of bed bugs, protect consumers from unscrupulous businesses or individuals who may manipulate them during a bed bug infestation, and ensure state agencies that may encounter bed bugs or consumers affected by bed bugs have the appropriate policies in place to further these goals.

For more information about the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com or follow Commissioner Putnam on Facebook, www.facebook.com/adamputnam, or Twitter, @adamputnam.

http://www.oysterradio.com e-mail manager@oysterradio.com with comments