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The population of bed bugs rise each year. They are finding their way into the news more frequently in lawsuits, injuries and property loss. Lack of knowledge of these tiny pests and their elimination is a major contributor to the increase in the bed bug population. Education is one of the most powerful tools that a business owner can have against bed bugs. Also, by educating tenants and guests of the dangers of bed bugs and how to detect and avoid them, proactive business owners can protect themselves from the dangers of a bed bug infestation. We have compiled some FAQ’s that will help you and your tenants get more familiar with these pests.What is a bed bug?Bed bugs are flat wingless insects that grow to about .2 inches long when full grown. The bed bug body is nearly transparent at the nymph stage, making them that much more difficult to spot. Adult Bed bugs have an oval body and a short, broad head. The body as a whole is broad and flat. Unfed adults are brown in color but after feeding, they swell slightly in size and darken to a blood-red color. How do bed bugs live?Bed bugs live...

Bed bugs cost businesses and individuals thousands of dollars each year. From failed attempts at DIY treatments to expensive lawsuits bed bug are stealing profits from business owners around the country. Court cases claiming “negligence” against hotel/motel owners and property managers are rising. These claims not only cost money in settlements but can damage the business reputation so severely that it can take months, or even years, to repair. It is more important than ever to have a bed bug notification, detection, and elimination plan in place. The number of bed bug related lawsuits are rising every year. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are being awarded in “negligence” claims against businesses that don’t have a bed bug elimination system in place. In one of the more recent cases, $100,000 was awarded to a woman in a lawsuit against a Red Roof Inn (RRI), making it one of the highest settlements awarded to a single individual in a bed bug related case. The argument against RRI stated that the hotel know about the bed bug problem and did not resolve the issue or search the room before renting it out. The one night stay at the RRI resulted in many bites...

The in past 8-10 years we have seen a drastic rise in bed bug infestations. Bed bugs now populate all 50 states in the US and can be found in public transportation, at the library, in schools and hospitals, and even at movie theaters. Since bed bugs are becoming easier and easier to “pick up” in public places, it’s no wonder that we are seeing a rise in home and business infestations as well. Apartment buildings and Multi Housing units are being hit hard with bed bug related issues. Lawsuits, loss of business and reputation due to bed bugs are constantly on the mind of proactive property managers. Thanks to the efforts from the IBBRA and Convectex there are now resources and equipment to help these concerned property managers. At Convectex we offer a wide variety of heat packages to fit every need. Even with our smallest package you can rid the bed bugs from a room with the ease and safety that the professional exterminators provide at a fraction of the cost. Our full Proactive Equipment and Education Suite is designed to lock Multi-Housing budgets and aid in the protection of frivolous lawsuits. Our heaters and fans are easy...

These are the basic steps needed to ensure a SUCCESSFUL AND SAFE Bed Bug Heat treatment. Thorough preparation and attention to the below details will positively affect your treatments success. Watch Our Heat Prep Video Before The Convectex Heat Treatment Can Commence Do not use any pesticide bombs, foggers, sprays, dusts prior to heat treatment. Repellent insecticides severely diminish the effectiveness of the treatment effort by driving bed bugs in to hard to treat areas such as under carpet pads and wall voids Do not remove any thing from treatment area except for items in sealed garbage to be permanently removed. Furniture and clutter must be pulled away from walls at least 4 inches. Unplug all electronics except major appliances Any items (clothing, shoes, bags, valuables) taken out with occupant on day off heat treatment must be thoroughly inspected and/or sanitized before being reintroduced to treated area. Permanently dispose of all trash and unwanted items before treatment. Completely remove litter boxes from the treatment area if present Vacuum or sweep up dust/pet hair as they are hazardous to our equipment and personnel.Improperly secured pictures and posters that may blow down should be taken down and laid flat. Take down, disinfect...

Bed Bug Lawsuits Are On the Rise! Make Your Property Bed Bud Proactive! Lawyer are hitting the scene, arming themselves to fight increasingly common and costly court battles against bed bugs.   Many of these plaintiffs are winning!  Last year a Maryland jury awarded an elderly woman $850,000 in damages after she suffered  bed bug bites in an apartment she said the landlord knew was infested.  The landlord even had an official city order to eradicate the problem before the woman moved in.   He continued to rent out dwellings – costing him hundreds of thousands of dollars more than if he had sought professional  extermination.  In her court testimony, the 69-year-old tenant said she showed her rash-like welts to the landlord who insisted he didn’t know what they were from. Months later a county housing worker informed the woman they were bed bug bites and a lawsuit was filed by the elderly woman.  The jury deliberated for less than one hour before reaching a verdict, awarding the woman TWICE the amount she originally sought. In essence, the legal system is showing it will not tolerate negligence. And it’s not the first lawsuit of its kind.   In Iowa, nearly...