101 Things You Need To Know About Bedbugs!

by Paul J. Bello, PJB Pest Management Consultants

As an independent pest management consultant over the recent past I’ve been involved with numerous bed bug situations, received many calls and e-mails regarding bed bugs. In fact, bed bugs seem to take up a majority of my time. Since I do not advertise to the general public I’m usually surprised and impressed with the efforts non-industry folks take to find me. This past month I was contacted by a college student who is experiencing bed bugs in his apartment. That he took the time to search the net underscored his need for help.

Like many of you, in the field I’ve witnessed the desperation and suffering that folks have endured as a result of bed bugs. These folks are looking for information, answers to their concerns and help to rid them of their bed bug problems. In response to this student’s questions this list of 101 practical and useful things to know about bed bugs was written for your review. Please note that these bits of information were learned from first hand field experience in dealing with bed bugs and working with industry colleagues across the country.

1. Do not underestimate them; bed bugs take a lot of knowledge, experience time & effort to get rid of.

2. You need to keep a heightened level of vigilance to be sure you never get bed bugs again.

3. Bed bugs are "hitch-hikers” and largely dependent upon man to travel from place to place, it's possible for you to bring bed bugs to other locations.

4. It is possible for people to get bitten without knowing it.

5. It is not necessary for bed bugs to feed every day or every week. They can "lay in wait" for the next host for surprisingly long periods of time. Click here for 96 more!

Upcoming 2010 Seminars

VRHP News

VRHP OBX Seminar - 2/16/2010

Comfort Inn South,

Kill Devil Hills, NC
A 1 day seminar for front line housekeepers and inspectors as well as managers. We expect 125 to 150 for this event!

March 16th-17th

Hilton Inn

Wilmington, NC

The 16th will be a Status-Tracker seminar and the 17th is the VRHP seminar for front line housekeepers. The full agenda will be posted in January.

April 20th-21st

VRMA Eastern Regional

Myrtle Beach, NC

April 25th-27th

Florida VRMA

Disney World, Coronado Springs Resort

May 26th

Gulf Shores, AL
A 1 day seminar for front line housekeepers and inspectors as well as managers.

September 26-30 National Conference

Luxor Hotel, Las Vegas, NV. The VRHP 11th National Conference

Terry Lynn Paul - 2009 VRHP Executive Housekeeper of The Year

(Orlando, FL) Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 - At last night's VRHP Executive Housekeeper of the Year Awards ceremony, sponsored by Instant Status-Tracker, three very well qualified executive housekeepers stood by VRHP Director Steve Craig, nervously awaiting to find out who would be this year's Executive Housekeeper of the Year. And when Terry Lynn Paul heard her name, you could see she was visibly shaken. "I was taking calls all day from my girls back home" said Terry Lynn " but I never thought I would actually win. I'm still in shock."

Terry Lynn is the Director of Housekeeping at Resort Vacation Properties at St. George Island, Florida. She replaces outgoing 2008 VRHP HOY Anita McClure, who helped Steve present the award. The two other nominees were Loretta Ison, Meyer Real Estate, Gulf Shores, AL and Michelle Richardson, Oak Island Accommodations, Oak Island, NC.

Powerpoint Presentation on Microfibers

In case you missed it, here is the powerpoint presentation given on Microfibers at our 2009 Annual Conference, available for download. Click here (caution, large 3.8 mb file)