HIGH COST OF INACTION

The costs of managing an infestation become higher if the problem is left alone, or is treated improperly. The longer there is inaction, the more the infestation will spread. The larger the infestation, the harder it is to treat, the longer it takes to treat, and more rooms need treatment. Also, the more widespread the infestation becomes, the less likely it is that one will be able to find all of the areas of infestation to treat properly. This can lead to multiple treatments before all harbourages are eradicated. The reported case of an apartment building in Winnipeg illustrates how costs can rise as the problem worsens. In 2004, the building had infestations that, untreated, had spread throughout the building to 73 of its 373 units.

Between 2004 and 2008, the building manager spent $260,000 to get rid of the bed bugs.

Because of the large number of units infested, the bed bugs were able to spread effectively from unit to unit during isolated treatments, and have therefore become more difficult to eradicate. After four years of expensive treatments, bed bugs continued to infest 40 units.