Toronto Star- Health board wants budget boost to fight bedbugs By: David Rider - Urban Affairs Bureau Chief -

The Board of Health wants a 1.5 per cent budget bump to fight bedbugs, and for the city manager to scrap a hiring slowdown that is diminishing public health services.

The new board voted to add $500,000 for the bedbug fight to the 2011 budget request recommended by Dr. David McKeown, the medical officer of health.

Councillor John Filion, re-elected Thursday as health board chair, denied he’s tossing a wrench in Mayor Rob Ford’s mission to freeze city spending and property taxes.

He noted that existing agreements should see the province match city dollars three-to-one. “Mayor Ford, I think, has indicated that he wants to solve the bedbug problem, and we’re offering him a way to do it at 25 cents on the dollar,” Filion said.

McKeown said the bedbug money, if approved by the budget committee and later council, and augmented by $1.5 million from the province, would let his department make a serious dent in a surge in infestations that is driving people away from their homes.

Public health currently has initiatives to prevent and respond to infestations, but no dedicated budget. Ontario has so far ignored Toronto’s request for $2.8 million for a multi-pronged attack on the biting insects.

Public health is now asking for an overall $660,900 increase in city funding. Before the bedbug motion from Councillor Paula Fletcher, the hike would have amounted to 0.4 per cent.

Much of Thursday’s meeting was spent discussing what came as a revelation to board members — that city manager Joe Pennachetti in late 2009 ordered a cross-departmental hiring slowdown that forces McKeown to make a “business case” for replacing every staff member who leaves.

That meant leaving the equivalent of 70 full-time positions unfilled in 2010. That saved Toronto $870,000 but meant diminishing services, McKeown said. Jobs sometimes remain vacant for months, he added.

“I am concerned that it takes time to fill positions that are delivering important public health services, that under normal circumstances we would fill quickly and get those people out in the community providing services,” McKeown said.

He couldn’t say which positions are currently vacant, but said it could mean some restaurants are not being inspected and some families not visited by public health nurses. The board asked him to provide a list of affected jobs.

Filion noted the affected positions were approved by council and are in the budget, so any savings go to the surplus.

“I think it’s questionably not legal under provincial legislation to have a city bureaucrat decide how vacancies are filled in public health,” he said, calling it a “very dangerous practice.”

Councillor Gord Perks, another board member, said the decrease in important services punctures Ford’s mantra that “We don’t need to collect taxes and it’s all just a whole bunch of waste and gravy out there.”

“It’s nonsense — there is not waste and gravy in Toronto public health.”

But the slowdown began while Pennachetti was reporting to then-mayor David Miller, whom Perks supported and who touted big budget surpluses as proof of his council’s fiscal responsibility.

Pennachetti declined to comment, saying he’ll address the concerns at Monday’s budget launch.

Second National Bed Bug Summit; Notice of Public Meeting By: Trading Markets.com Posted on: Wed, 05 Jan 2011 06:35:52 EST

Jan 05, 2011 (FIND, Inc. via COMTEX) --

SUMMARY: EPA is planning the second National Bed Bug Summit to be held February 1 and 2, 2011, on the topic of the bed bug resurgence in the United States. The goal of this meeting is to review the current bed bug problem and identify and prioritize further actions to address the problem. The objectives of the summit are to identify knowledge gaps and barriers to effective community-wide bed bug control; propose the next steps in addressing knowledge gaps and eliminating barriers; and develop a framework for addressing the highest priority needs. The agenda for this meeting is under development and will be posted on our Web site and placed in the docket in advance of the meeting.

DATES: The meeting will be held on February 1 and 2, 2011, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Requests to participate in the meeting must be received on or before January 24, 2011.

To request accommodation of a disability, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATON CONTACT, preferably at least 10 days prior to the meeting, to give EPA as much time as possible to process your request.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center at 3800 Reservoir Road, NW., Washington, DC 20057. For additional information on the location, please see the following Web page: http://www.acc-guhotelandconferencecenter.com/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Angela Hollis, Registration Division (7505P), Office of Pesticide Programs, Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (703) 347-0216; fax number: (703) 308-0029; e-mail address: hollis.angela@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

A. Does this action apply to me?

This action is directed to the public in general. This action may, however, be of interest to persons who are concerned about bed bugs, persons who work in residential settings, housing owners and managers, pest management professionals, pesticide industry and trade associations, public health organizations, environmental and consumer groups, academia, State, local and Tribal governments, persons who are interested in implementation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA); the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), and the amendments to both of these major pesticide laws by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996. Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not attempted to describe all the specific entities that may be affected by this action. If you have any questions regarding the applicability of this action to a particular entity, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

B. How can I get copies of this document and other related information?

EPA has established a docket for this action under docket ID number EPA-HQ- OPP-2009-0190. Publicly available docket materials are available either in the electronic docket at http://www.regulations.gov, or, if only available in hard copy, at the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) Regulatory Public Docket in Rm. S-4400, One Potomac Yard (South Bldg.), 2777 S. Crystal Dr., Arlington, VA. The hours of operation of this Docket Facility are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The Docket Facility telephone number is (703) 305-5805.

II. Background

The resurgence of the common bed bug continues to be affecting many areas of the country. As this resilient pest has become a nationwide problem affecting hotels, universities, and homes in the general population, it is important that the federal government assist in exploring means of effectively identifying challenges and ways to remedy this pest concern. EPA began discussions to share information on the topic of bed bugs at the first National Bed Bug Summit in April 2009. The first summit provided a venue to identify ideas and opinions on bed bug control and to develop recommendations. This second Bed Bug Summit will further these discussions by identifying knowledge gaps and barriers to effective community-wide bed bug control; proposing the next steps in addressing knowledge gaps and eliminating barriers; and developing a framework for addressing the highest priority needs. Potential participants for this forum include Federal, State, and local government agencies responsible for public health and public housing, researchers and academicians; health, housing and environmental advocacy organizations; the pest management industry; pesticide manufacturers; and other interested parties. All interested parties are encouraged to participate.

III. How can I request to participate in this meeting?

You may submit a request to participate in this meeting to BedBugSummit2Registration@epa.gov. Requests to participate in the meeting should include name, affiliation, address, telephone number, and e-mail address. Do not submit any information in your request that is considered CBI. Requests to participate in the meeting must be received on or before January 24, 2011.

[Page Number 551]

List of Subjects

Environmental protection.

Dated: December 23, 2010.

Lois Rossi,

Director, Registration Division, Office of Pesticide Programs.

[FR Doc. 2010-33200 Filed 1-4-11; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P

Vol. 76, No. 003

[EPA-HQ-OPP-2009-0190; FRL-8858-4]

Notices

For full details on (SNLB) SNLB. (SNLB) has Short Term PowerRatings at TradingMarkets. Details on (SNLB) Short Term PowerRatings is available at This Link.

National bed bug summit to be held in February - By Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News

WASHINGTON — A national summit designed to help root out the country's spike in bed bug infestations in Utah and elsewhere is slated for February, bringing together federal agencies, the public and health officials.
Even the Department of Defense is on board, and part of the Federal Bed Bug Workgroup was organized as a result of the first summit held in 2009.

This summit will focus on ways the federal government and others can work to manage and control the pests and review progress made by the housing and hotel industry as well as pest management specialists.

The increase in bed bug cases in Utah began in 2006, with a leading pest-control company, Orkin Pest Control Services, reporting a 94 percent increase in bed bug treatments from 2008 to 2009.
But Salt Lake City still ranked just 47 out 50 cities from January 2008 to July of 2010. Cincinnati ranked No. 1.
Although big enough to be easily detected, bed bugs hide in the cracks of floors, walls and furniture before finding their way to a mattress.
Body heat from slumbering people propels the bugs into action, leading to bites and rashes.
The Environmental Protection Agency has these tips to prevent bed bugs:

Remove clutter where bed bugs can hide.

Seal cracks and crevices.

Vacuum rugs and upholstered furniture thoroughly and frequently, as well as vacuuming under beds (take the vacuum bag outside immediately, and dispose in a sealed trash bag).

Wash and dry clothing and bed sheets at high temperatures.

Be alert, and monitor areas for bed bugs so they can be treated before a major infestation occurs.

Before using any pesticide product, read the label first and follow the directions.

Check the product label to make sure it is identified for use on bed bugs. If bed bugs are not listed on the label, the pesticide has not been tested for bed bugs and it may not be effective.

The summit will be Feb. 1, 2.

Green Eco Warns Against Use of Chemical Pesticides By: Online PR Media - Formerly Online PR News

Green Eco Environmental, known for providing non-toxic pest control services in New York, has warned against use of chemical pesticides for killing the pests.

Online PR News – 28-November-2010 –Astoria, NY, 24 November 2010 : Green Eco Environmental, which has earned a name for itself for providing environment-friendly pest control services, has called for using organic materials to control pests. Laboratory tests of the New York based company have proved that chemical pesticides not only fail to effectively exterminate the pests but are also harmful for environment.

Stressing on the need for using eco-friendly materials, a top scientist with the company said, “Organic substances are in fact more effective than chemical pesticides. Over the years bed bugs have developed resistance to many chemical pesticides. However, the organic methods that we use for bed bug extermination are such that bed bugs cannot develop resistance to them. The other advantage of using organic substances is that it is highly effective on bedbugs and does not have any side effects on humans or the environment.”

The best thing about using green materials is that they are odorless and you do not even need to leave the place while it is being treated. The extermination treatments are fully effective and continue to work even after the treatment, not allowing the pests to return back to their safe haven. Using organic materials for killing pests not only helps us protect ourselves but also helps sustain our environment, which is so valuable to us.

Getting rid of harmful pests is important, but sustaining the environment in which we live and breathe is important as much. It is this aspect of pest control Green Eco lays stress upon. As one of their senior executives points out, “We have gained and maintained our reputation by using organic substances in effective extermination of almost all kinds of pests. The prime concern of our exterminators is to keep the environment safe, clean and healthy and at the same time to eliminate the infestation of pests like termites, rodents, insects, flies, bed bugs NYC etc.”

About The Company

Green Eco Environmental is a reputed name in NYC pest control services which uses non toxic and environmentally safe products derived from natural plant oils. All the exterminating products are extensively researched and tested in the laboratory to ensure that they are eco-friendly and, at the same time, effective on pests extermination.

Contact Information
Green Eco Environmental
New York
Website: http://www.nygreeneco.com/

[BED BUGS] BEYOND THE BED - The author is president of Copesan Services and a member of NPMA’s Commercial Bed Bug Work Group. By: Deni Naumann

---

For generations of Americans, bed bugs meant no more than a good night saying to a child: "Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite." But over the last decade, this insect, which had been virtually eradicated in the U.S., has once again become a reality, with little consideration for geography, income or structure type.

In fact, a facility doesn’t need to have a single bed to be subject to bed bug infestation. Bed bugs are transported in people’s belongings and on their clothing, so they can be carried into virtually any establishment. Bed bugs typically first infest hotels; then successive hotel guests carry the bugs home.

From there, it is simply a matter of time until an employee from an infested home brings bed bugs to work — in a purse, a backpack or clothing stashed in a locker. Then, as in the hotel scenario, the bed bugs will move from one locker to the next, drop into other employees’ belongings, and hitch rides home to start new populations.

One of the bed bug’s most advantageous survival characteristics is its infrequent feeding. A bed bug can live for several months without food. In addition, most people never feel the bed bug bite, so they may not realize there is a problem — until it becomes a major problem.

On the bright side, the bug’s slow movement and preference for dark, quiet places make it unlikely that it would move into food areas of plants. However, the dark quiet spaces in, behind and between lockers; padded benches upon which employees sit to change; and chairs where they take breaks or sit for lunch provide sufficient shelter for the bugs to hide until they can hitch a ride to the next meal. Even more good news is that, while we have received reports of bed bugs in food plants, it is not a widespread phenomenon, and even major infestations can be eradicated — and prevented.

Develop a Plan. Because there is often a stigma associated with bed bugs, it is important that PMPs advise plant managers to educate employees, encourage open communication and avoid placing blame. Here’s how food facility clients need your help in regard to creating a comprehensive bed bug plan:

• Educate all food plant employees on what bed bugs are, how to recognize the signs and symptoms, how to avoid them and what to do if they identify or suspect a problem.

• Encourage employees to advise management of any known or suspected bed bug activity in their homes or at work. Assure them that no blame will be assigned and reiterate the importance of early communication and detection.

• If bed bug activity is found in the plant, disclose the issue to all employees and tell them to immediately notify you, the pest management professional.

• Create a flow chart tracking the areas where affected employees (those with bed bug activity in their areas/lockers) work in the facility so all these areas and common areas can be included in an inspection by the pest management professional.

• Facility management and the pest management provider should discuss treatment options. Initial treatments may be limited to non-chemical measures such as vacuuming, steam or cryonite.

• Food plant management should consider proactive containment measures to prevent additional introduction of bed bugs into the facility or from the facility to employee homes. For example, air-tight totes can be used to store all personal items upon arrival to work. This will contain any bugs that are present on personal items and prevent bugs in the workplace from going home in personal items.

• Food plant management should consider providing assistance to employees who report known or suspected infestations at home. This could include an agreement with the PMP for discounts on inspection/eradication services and access to early detection tools such as encasements and insect interceptors.

Guide for Building Owners, Administrators and Managers on Bed Bugs now Available - Published by the City of Montreal ...... Introducing a bit of clarity

http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=5097%2C16419700&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

Please scroll all the way down.
On the left hand side under the section labled "PUBLICATIONS"
You may download the report "Bedbugs - Identifying and controlling bedbugs"

You may also find the report in this Blog by scrolling down. 

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.”