No Bed Bugs in Staten Island Schools . . .Yet!
Staten Islander's can take relief. The Department of Education has reported bed bugs in 16 public schools throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx and Queens. Finding bed bugs is just the beginning of the problem; getting rid of them is the other. The bugs can hitch a ride home on clothing or inside a backback. Once in your home, they are very difficult to eradicate. Make sure that backpacks are left out of the bedroom and periodically checked for the bugs.
The bed bug "epidemic" has created a cottage industry overnight. A quick search of the Internet reveals a host of "all natural" sprays and exterminating kits for sale. Little information can be found about their ingredients and that is where my concern lies. With the rush for "cures" to stop the bed bugs, one has to wonder what is going into these all natural remedies. Also, many people are seeking to use powerful insecticides to self-treat, as the cost for professional extermination is quite expensive. This may unnecessarily expose children and adults to high levels of toxic chemicals if they are not used in accordance with the instructions.
If you see bed bugs, call a licensed exterminator. Once they are discovered, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to rid your home of them without professional help. If you decide to "do it yourself", please read the manufacturer's instructions and follow them carefully when applying pesticides. And only use chemicals as intended. If you have a mattress with bed bugs, you need to throw out the mattress as it cannot be properly cleaned or treated with chemicals. The expense to remove the bugs professionally is high but you will be assured that the job is done properly and safely, with no risk to your family.
