Toronto proposed bedbug bill could bite city’s landlords - Author: BILL MANN - Market Watch

They invaded Toronto just before the recent Toronto Film Festival opened.

Not, not paparazzi, or giant mutated zombie movie spiders.   Something even worse.  Bedbugs.

Toronto may be one of the cleanest cities in North America, but it’s about to host a first, a  Bedbug Summit, the Toronto Star reports.

“Are bedbugs the new Justin Bieber?” the Star says one Twitterer recently asked.   That’s not a very nice thing to say about the Canadian pop star, but both Bieber and bedbugs have become ubiquitous in the media recently.

This Sept. 29 summit on the little pests is different: It’s actually a government hearing, the brainchild of a Liberal Member of Parliament, Mike Colle. It will feature government health officials, entomologists, tenant and landlord groups.

That’s because Colle has introduced a bill that would require landlords to provide tenants with a “bedbug information report” before signing a lease. Another Member’s bill would require that landlords be licensed — and that they not be renewed if their units have bedbugs.

The Toronto Public Health Department says it’s received an increase in bedbug reporting calls this year.

Bugs dancing in the dark

“This is something that’s ruining people’s lives,” says Colle, “and the technicalities of it, whether it’s an infectious  disease or not, is not relevant to people who can’t sleep, work, and are stressed out beyond belief.

“I just wish people would stop looking at it as a stigma for a city, or for anybody to talk about it.”

Colle adds: “That’s why these things have proliferated. Because we’ve kept them, basically, in the dark.”

Are you exterminating your apt ? Be careful of chemicals toxic to Cats ! PERMETHRIN, PYRETHRIN, BORIC ACID

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permethrin

http://www.petplace.com/cats/permethrin-and-pyrethrin-toxicity-in-cats/page1.aspx


http://www.vetprof.com/clientinfo/permethrincats.html
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http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/toxcat/toxcat.html


Borate, or boric acid is used as a homemade insecticide. It has a low oral
toxicity.
Signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, CNS depression, muscle weakness, ataxia,
and possible seizures.
Treatment: The problem with this poisoning is that activated charcoal does not
absorb it, the only way to get it out of the system is through dialysis.


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http://www.cathealth.com/Tox.htm

Boric acid dust or solution is corrosive and toxic to pets, and commonly found
in ant killer and cleaners.
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http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_boric_acid_poisonous_to_cats


Is boric acid poisonous to cats?

It is toxic to cats, meaning it can kill them. If you are using it for roach or
other insect pest control, it is usually OK unless you put it in areas where the

cat will walk, because then the cat will get it on their paws and lick it off.
Do not use boric acid at all around kittens, as they tend to explore more and
would be more likely to get into it and die from it. See the Related link
below.
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Bed Bugs & Travel - Tips to Help You Avoid Them! By Julia Rosien from Go Girlfriend - Travel with Confidence

Tip # 1 - Bring a flashlight


Your flashlight (or cell phone with a light) is your new travel buddy - the rest is simple. The little buggers hate light. Ever lifted up a rock and watched the bugs scurry? Same thing happens with bed bugs when you shine light on them. Use your flashlight wisely.


Tip #2 - Inspect your hotel bed

When you arrive at your hotel, begin by putting your luggage in the bathroom or outside on the balcony while you poke around. Then grab your flashlight.

• Start with the headboard - shine the light into the spot where the brackets connect with the wall and follow along the path back to the bed. Watch for dark red or brown spots (fecal or blood stains) that mark a trail.
• Check the bedding - pull back the sheets quickly and look for dark red or brown stains in clusters. Look closely at the corners and seams where they hide during the day.
• Inspect the box spring - lift the mattress at the corners and shine your light into the darkness quickly. Check closely for stains and scurrying.

Tip #3 - Inspect your hotel room

Bed bugs can live up to a year without feeding, which means a sofa or desk chair can be a comfy place to live. But you can also find them in desk drawers. Pay close attention to corners and cracks - and keep an eye open for small stains.

Tip #4 - What to do if you find bed bugs

Bed bugs are a PR nightmare - Google and Time Warner can both attest to the hassle of not only getting rid of the critters, but dealing with the press.

Whether you spot a live bug or evidence on the sheets, call the front desk immediately and explain what's in your room. Invite the hotel manager or another supervisor to your room to inspect the evidence, but make it clear you will not be staying in the room overnight.

Most hotels will happily give you another room. Remember to repeat the inspection again in your new room.

If you find bed bugs after you've slept in the room, ask to speak to the hotel manager and accept nothing less. The room should be steam cleaned immediately and your clothes laundered. If you meet with resistance, learn how to rant and get results.

Tip #5 - Prevent bed bugs from hitchhiking home with you

Protecting yourself and preventing hitchhikers from following you home is simpler than knowing which hotel has bed bugs in it.

Never put your luggage on the bed. Stand the luggage rack on a hard floor (like the bathroom) and leave the light on in the room. If the bathroom's not an option, keep the rack well away from the wall or furnishings - leaving a lamp on overhead is a good idea as well.

When you get home, unpack on a hard floor - stay away from carpets. Watch closely for escapees as you unpack.

Wash all your clothes in hot water. 

Vacuum your suitcase. If you're worried about stowaways, unpack outside and store non-washable items in a sealed plastic bag for a few days.

Don't forget your briefcase and purse. There are cases of libraries being infected with bed bugs - they aren't picky where they find their next meal. Don't leave any crevice un-sucked.

Before you sleep in your own bed, shower. It's unusual for bed bugs to travel on people (we move too much for them to find a comfortable hiding place) but it's not unheard of.