Bed Bugs On The Rise In The Valley
The bedbug infestation began in New York City and, now they’re invading California and here in the Coachella Valley.
Oscar Berriozabar works for Palm Springs Pest Control.
Over the past three years, he’s helped battle bedbugs across the valley. He said people usually bring them home from hotels. They stow away in luggage.
According to Berriozabar all it takes is one bug to start an infestation, no matter how clean it is.
“What they do is seclude themselves, they hide. After they feel safe enough they’ll start foraging and that’s when they start getting into luggage,” said Berriozabar.
Bed bugs aren’t just found near beds. They can also be found hiding in couches, closets and carpets.
The bugs are small and not easy to see and their bites can come as a suprise to those who have bed bugs.
Mike Connors with Desert Regional Medical Center said the bites aren’t dangerous, but they can cause serious problems.
“It can have psychological components where people become very panicky have anxiety. It can lead to insomnia where people aren’t sleeping well,” said Connors. “So it has a lot of ramification over just the irritations inching”
According to Connors, the best way to avoid bed bugs to check clothing and furniture regularly.
Connors said don’t bother with home pesticides, call a professional.
“Make sure you clean real well. Vacuuming, mopping. Any area rugs, throw pillows, those types of things. throwing them through the washing machine on high heat or in the dryer on high heat will help kill the bed bugs,” said Connors.
It may take a couple treatments before the bugs die.
According to Berriozabar, treatments can cost anywhere from a several hundred dollars up to more than a thousand dollars, depending on the company.
