M9 - Bug Off: Pest Control Strategies that
Work
Cedarbridge
Monday, November 17
1:30 – 3:00
Terry Alleyn, New Chelsea Society
Christine Williams, Lookout Society
Brett Johnston, Assured Environmental Solutions
Bed bugs are now a fact of life, and they must be
managed as such
◦ Inspections and treatments
◦ Tenant relations – Preparation, cooperation,
reporting, and clutter
◦ Prevention

Confirm it – get samples, KEEP THEM, and get them
properly identified by qualified people
◦ Take a picture and email it to your pest control company
(with a pen or penny in the picture for size/scale reference)
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Inspect the problem unit and those above, below,
beside and perhaps across the hall
◦ Visual inspection, canine inspection, canine plus visual,
interceptor trap

They are mutating!
◦ Genetic adaptations to our sprays
 Target site resistance and
 Metabolic resistance
And…
Penetration resistance - Chitin thickening means
their exoskeletons are getting thicker and tougher
making it harder for pesticides to get inside
Why? Just sprayin’ (pyrethroids - dragnet, prelude,
tempo, demand)


Strip your bed and couch
Launder your bedding

Empty your night stand
Clear the top of your dresser
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Move stuff away from walls
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De-clutter as much as you can
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Then….

Maybe they need to do more, maybe not
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Integrate multiple control tools
◦ Heat
 Laundry – just the dryer please
 Steamers for couches, mattress, etc
 Packtite Closet for shoes, laptops, books, bags
 Mobile Heat Chamber for furniture
 Dedicated bed bug sauna room
◦ Vacuum – of cracks and crevices on bed, frame, couch
◦ Traps – Interceptor traps
◦ Environmental Modification
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
Build them out (bins NOT cardboard, caulking, no carpets, dust)
Seal them in (encasements, caulking)
Make your bed an island
Zen living

DE aerosol from DE Labs - here now
Temprid (a combination spray, new active not
used in Canada before, certified users only)
Alpine dust (dinotefuran, non-pyrethroid,
non-repellant, certified use only)
Cedarwood oil products- contact only

New interceptors

New lures
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
PROCEDURES
PREVENTION
1. Employees are to inform everyone the first time they enter a Lookout premise of the bedbug
proliferation in metro Vancouver and Lookout’s procedures to prevent an infestation at Lookout
sites. It is for their comfort.
2. On intake, all new residents (shelters and residential) are to bathe immediately prior to, or upon
initial entry to Lookout programs. They are to wear newly cleaned and disinfected clothing. Where
they do not have suitable clothing, Lookout employees are to provide the necessary clothing free of
charge. Where it is an existing client whose cleanliness is questionable, err on the side of caution
and encourage showers and offer clean clothing and laundry following the same procedures as that
of a new client.
a. Where an individual refuses to bathe, or refuses to permit their belongings to be treated or
segregated, employees are to give them written notice that they are putting themselves and
others at risk. As with other issues, employees are to be as supportive and encouraging as
possible. Where a severe infestation exists, and the person refuses treatment, call the
ambulance for instruction. Eviction is possible where a person is seen to be infested (e.g. with
lice, scabies or bedbugs) however this is to be used as a last resort and only after all other
options, including health personnel interventions, have failed. Employees are to use their
judgment and use this tool in as limited a way as is possible. Homelessness is a greater risk.
b. A supply of clean clothing is to be maintained by a designated employee at each site. Each site
will refill supplies from the LivingRoom Drop In, or through other free clothing providers. The
designated employee is responsible to maintain adequate levels of a variety of sizes and styles
of clothing on-site.
1. Employees are to inform everyone the first time they enter a Lookout premise that their deliveries,
packages and/or belongings must immediately be securely segregated or treated to reduce the risk
of infestation. They are to be informed that Lookout is not responsible for any damages that may
be incurred during the treatment process.
NOTE: Where treatment is initiated, employees are to use gloves when spraying, and take care
that spray is contained within the bag. See Pesticide Safety below.
a. All personal packages/belongings coming into any Lookout site are to be double bagged with
each bag sealed separately. The designated treatment solution as outlined in the “product list”
is to be sprayed within the bag containing the belongings.
b. All washable items are to be laundered on a cycle that uses high heat and/or disinfectant
(bleach) to kill any bugs as well as their eggs.
c. Where clothing is not washable (e.g. some leathers, silks, etc.), they are to be treated with the
designated treatment solution.
i. The owner of the clothing is to be advised that we are not responsible for damage to
clothing. Their input into washing vs. spraying should be seriously considered.
ii. All spraying should contact the article on the INSIDE of the non washable article of clothing.
d. Small, non-washable items are to be put in a designated freezer for a period of 72 hours to kill
eggs. Such items may include equipment (e.g. radio’s, microwave ovens, and coffee makers).
e. Larger items, e.g. furniture – are to be double bagged and moved to designated treatment
areas – e.g. parking areas, and treated using the designated treatment solution outlined in the
“Supply List”. Treatment may consist of applying a topical solution, pesticide spray, steam
cleaning or a combination thereof.
f. Delivered items are to be securely segregated or treated immediately.
g. Donated clothing is to be security segregated immediately and laundered as soon as possible.
h. All goods are to be stored in double sealed plastic bags until chemical treatment has been
completed.
1. Employees are to consistently assess everyone coming onto a Lookout premise for signs of
bedbugs, insect bites, rashes, nits, etc. Where there are any signs of infestation, suitable treatment
is to be immediately implemented.
a. Bedbugs – bathing as per normal cleansing – ensure all valuables are bagged and sprayed to
prevent inadvertent transfer from dirty to clean clothes.
b. Lice/scabies – use designated topical creams, shampoos or insecticide sprays to eradicate the
problem. Ensure that the instructions are followed very carefully and that appropriate follow
up occurs. Where treatment is not completed or the effectiveness is questionable, notify our
Nurse Consultant.
2. Where employees make home visits, limit the number of items, such as backpacks, you bring into
their residence. Do not put your belongings down. Use the double sealed bagging procedure when
moving a client’s belongings. Transport goods in sealed bags to prevent movement of insects.
Store in sealed bags until chemical treatment has been completed. Where there exists questions
that bugs may be present (or bug eggs), spray with our cleanser.
3. Identify any infestation or potential infestation in the Program Log and inform your Manager. The
Manager is responsible for informing the Property Manager and if applicable, Lookout’s Nurse
Consultant.
PESTICIDE AND PESTICIDE ALTERNATIVE SAFETY
Care must always be taken to prevent accidental exposure to pesticides even though all registered
products are considered safe to use if handled properly. When using pesticides, always read and
follow the instructions on the label. Use gloves when handling and a mask when spraying into the
air. Where alternative green options are used, the same practice used for pesticides is to be
followed.
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-
The experience of New Chelsea Society
Build resources in house
Share expertise with other groups
All you really need to do to beat
the bed bug
1. Screen, educate and manage your tenants
2. Inspect Proactively – problem/recurrent units
3. Aggressively Surround the problem
4. Treat – Integrate tools that work!
5. Build them out – with proactive dusting, sealing
during renovations, eliminate carpet and rubber
cove base
6. Repeat!

brett@assuredenvironmental.ca
 christinew@lookoutsociety.ca
 talleyn@newchelsea.ca
Everything you need to know – forms,
protocols, handouts, presentations – from a
true expert, Dr. Dini Miller
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
http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pesticides/bed
bugs-facts.shtml