HIDING IN THE SHADOWS

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Bed bugs will return when normal life resumes

BY SIMON LEITH, PRESIDENT, HOMEPRO PEST CONTROL

After living with the pandemic for over a year, it’s clear that COVID has not only altered our day-to-day lives but actually created a fundamental shift in human behaviour. We have been forced to change the way we live—from social distancing, to learning and working from home.

On the positive side, restrictions have not only slowed the spread of coronavirus, but they have also reduced the spread of bed bugs. Long the scourge of multiunit residential buildings, bed bug infestations have decreased dramatically over the past year. That’s because bed bugs largely spread through human movement by hitching a ride on our clothes and belongings. Since humans are currently moving around less than ever, bed bug transmissions have dropped accordingly. With fewer people taking public transit, staying in hotels and visiting with friends and family, there are simply fewer opportunities for these pests to spread—which comes as welcome news for property managers and building owners.

That said, it would be naïve to declare mission accomplished in the fight against bed bugs. While calls and sightings are down, these pests haven’t disappeared completely. As we stay hunkered in our homes, bed bugs have been forced to do the same, hiding in dark spaces where they are extremely difficult to detect, such as cracks and crevices, walls, mattresses, box springs, bed frames and behind base boards. Making matters worse, these resilient creatures are capable of going months, and in some cases even up to a year, without feeding. In other words, even if your building hasn’t seen a bed bug lately, it doesn’t mean the problem has necessarily gone away. While pest control has been considered an essential service, many tenants may have been reluctant to report pest issues since the lockdowns and cold weather made it more difficult for them to vacate their homes for treatment.

REMAINING VIGILANT

When it comes to the overall decrease in bed bug reports then, no news isn’t necessarily good news—and this is no time to become complacent. Given the ease with which these pests can move between apartments in multi-unit residential buildings, it doesn’t take long for a small problem to turn into a serious one. Add in the fact that bed bug transmission is bound to increase as normal life resumes, it is crucial to remain vigilant in combating these pests.

You’re not the only one who can’t wait for things to get back to normal—and you can bet that once we return to our old ways, bed bugs will too.

Simon Leith is the President of HomePro Pest Control, which specializes in servicing multi-unit residential buildings across Ontario.