New York vs Bed Bugs

We are really very happy to have attended the Greenpoint bed bug seminar this evening. Thanks to HPD and Mr. Edward Brownbear who conducted the seminar. Miss Heather and Pastor Ann Kansfield get our heartfelt thanks for organizing the evening; it is very inspiring to see people who want to protect their neighborhood, to spare others the suffering and the unpheaval of an infestation.

For a play-by-play account with visual aids and extensive notes, I must defer to the tireless Miss Heather.

Please read her full account, but I can’t resist quoting her on the horror centerpiece of the evening:

It was at this point that one of the more terrifying points of this entire meeting (in my opinion) was brought up: bedbugs make good “hitchhikers”, e.g.; they can attach themselves to a person’s clothing and spread. Five different subway stations have turned up positive for bedbugs. Three of them (the ones Mr. Brownbear could recall) are:

1. Fordham Road, Bronx
2. Union Square, Manhattan
3. Hoyt-Schermerhorn, Brooklyn

The latter most were found on a subway bench, which makes sense given it is has been established these little critters like wood.

Lou Sorkin (American Museum of Natural History) and Cesar Soto (Freedom Pest Control) were at the seminar and both spoke to the audience at different points, sharing their knowledge and perspectives on the issues. One of the most gratifying parts of the evening for me was hearing from people how much they appreciated Lou and his incredible generosity to all of us who have suffered an infestation and sought his help.

Greenpoint is lovely. I’m really sorry I had to go there because of bed bugs but very glad to have met so many nice people. Two neighborhood residents I talked to told me they’d already had bed bugs twice. Twice. Once is plenty, I assure you.

It’s time for New York to lose the bed bugs.