Identifying Bed Bugs in Puerto Rico to Mitigate the Risk of Full Blown Infestations

Last month, media outlets from across the globe reported on officials in Paris battling a bed bug infestation that has impacted the famous city that is set to host the Olympics next summer. However, bed bugs are not just a French problem. The insects are found globally and have been discovered in everything from five-star hotels and resorts to cruise ships, buses, trains and homes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that their presence is not determined by the cleanliness of the living conditions where they are found. According to the agency, bed bugs hide during the day in places such as the seams of mattresses, box springs, bed frames, headboards, dresser tables, inside cracks or crevices, or around any other clutter or objects around a bed. Bed bugs have been shown to be able to travel over 100 feet in a night but tend to live within 8 feet of where people sleep. They can live for several months without a blood meal.

“In recent years, bed bugs have been found in homes, businesses and even on public transportation in towns and cities across the world,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Puerto Rico and the rest of the Caribbean is no different, having also experienced a dramatic rise in bed bug cases. While bed bugs are not known to spread disease, their bite may cause itching and loss of sleep. Reports of bed bug infestations can also cause severe financial harm for any business unfortunate enough to have an infestation.”

Due to the small size of bed bugs, they can be difficult to identify. Their tolerance for various environmental conditions can also make them tough to eradicate. Fortunately, there are DNA-based testing techniques that are exceptionally accurate and sensitive that can be instrumental in both identifying a bed bug issue and for ensuring that an existing infestation has been resolved. The building science and indoor environmental quality professionals at Zimmetry Environmental are pleased to offer this testing and monitoring service in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean. They also recently sponsored and educational video about bed bugs that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/UFAdXsBi5rs

To learn more about this or Zimmetry’s other indoor environmental quality testing, consulting and compliance services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail