Bedbugs Could be Bad for Business

MEMPHIS, Tenn., June 15, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Terminix, the world's largest pest control provider and a subsidiary of The ServiceMaster Company, has seen an increase in the prevalence of bedbugs in most states since releasing its first Most Bedbug-Infested Cities ranking in 2010. Just announced, Philadelphia won the dubious title of most bedbug-infested U.S. city this year.

With the growth in bedbug populations across the U.S., businesses continue to represent 70 percent of Terminix's bedbug customers versus 30 percent for residential customers.

" In areas with high levels of active bed bugs, it is not uncommon to see a 300 percent increase in reported incidences over levels reported just a few years ago," says Paul Curtis, director of service quality for Terminix. "And in areas where infestation is newly discovered, increases can be as high as 1500 percent over the previous year."

While some industries are more susceptible to infestation than others, bedbugs are transferred by people: the more customer and employee traffic a business has, the more the business is at risk.

"Discovery of suspected infestations or bedbug activity often comes via complaints from customers or staff," said Curtis. "It's important for managers to develop an action plan in advance with their staff."

Suggestions for Developing the Right Action Plan:

"Bedbugs continue to plague many U.S. cities and towns and they are able to hitchhike on any item and be carried into any home or building," said Stoy Hedges, an entomologist with Terminix. "While major metropolitan areas are most at risk, it is important to note that bedbugs have been spotted in cities and towns across the country."

Hedges cautions that bedbug infestations are not something that businesses should attempt handle on their own. A recent report in the Journal of Economic Entomology reported that over-the-counter foggers have been proven ineffective and are not recommended for use.

Terminix uses a process called RapidFreeze in which a patented nozzle transforms liquid carbon dioxide into a dry ice "snow" that effectively freezes and kills bedbugs in fewer than 60 seconds. The artic-cold air blast (-80*C) penetrates cracks and crevices. It can be used just about anywhere and does not damage electrical components.

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Bedbugs Could be Bad for Business