by Renee Corea on January 18, 2009
in Photos
We still have received no London bed bug survey map image as we were sort of, halfway, barely promised.
Somehow, we still like David well enough to mention the improved features of his photo gallery. Roll over the images to see high resolution versions. (4th down on the left column is particularly… interesting.)
This should be very helpful if you are in the identifying stage of a bed bug problem. The situation at home may or may not resemble the photographs you find on the internet, but you can study the signs all the same.
by Renee Corea on December 23, 2008
in Photos
Nymph and staple still life, copyright David Cain/Bed Bugs Limited.
“Spotted from 2 metres.”
Bed bug nymph and staple on a material-covered divan base, courtesy of David Cain. More images at the Bed Bugs Limited gallery.
Entomologist Lou Sorkin is a beloved friend of the New York City bed bug-sufferer community, and a generous and trusted adviser to New York vs Bed Bugs. His generosity in answering questions and his commitment to ensuring that we all know our bed bugs is inspiring. He can be found most reliably at the bedbugger yahoo group, listening and providing advice. (Note: the yahoo group is a support group that preceded and is unrelated to bedbugger.com, where Lou checks in from time to time and where his advice is also cherished!)
His photographs are remarkable and if you haven’t bookmarked them yet, you must. (I see his latest photos were uploaded December 13—but, I must warn you, not for the squeamish.)
This one is iconic:
First instar bed bug on left forefinger while it is feeding. L. Sorkin.
Lou is always careful to tell us about a common error, the “incorrect search image” problem. He wants to make sure that we all know what bed bug nymphs look like. When websites and publications show photos of adult bed bugs only, they are missing a tremendous opportunity to educate.
We are extremely, incredibly grateful to Lou for everything he does for New Yorkers who are suffering from this 21st century plague pest. (Must remember that positive thinking thing.)
We’ll know when New York City has a real bed bug task force simply by checking to see if Lou is a part of it.
New York vs Bed Bugs hopes to bring you good things with Lou’s help. Next year!
November 7, 2008, by udt007us:
Bed Bug, smashed
December 3, 2008, by EssG:
Bedbug Specialists
We write about DDT altogether too much here, all because once upon a time, all too briefly, it killed bed bugs dead. The mystique naturally persists.
But the LIFE photo archive at Google will not be resisted.
Maybe humans will never die, as long as we are capable of this:
DDT sprayed from a TIFA (Todd Insecticidal Fog Applicator) around model Kay Heffernon, Jones Beach, New York. 1948. George Silk, LIFE photo archive.
In looking through the WoodGreen Community Services Bed Bug Resource Manual (PDF), a great document we will discuss in a moment, I am struck by the beautiful photographs—and this from someone who generally avoids video and photographs of bed bugs. Indeed, I never thought I’d use that word about this subject.
But these are beautiful photographs of bed bugs by Dr. Tim Myles of the University of Toronto.
I think we’ve mentioned this before, but it’s worth underlining. This is what Dr. Tim Myles (and colleagues) wrote in 2003:
If the resurgence of bed bugs in shelters and other public facilities is not contained, there is the risk of a continuous and escalating growth in the source populations, leading to larger-scale infestations, which will require more frequent and costly control efforts later. As the source populations grow, the rate of spread will inevitably increase and bed bugs will start to appear in hotels, apartments, theaters, restaurants, public transit, hospitals and eventually detached single family homes.
Source: Bed Bugs in Toronto, Centre for Urban and Community Studies, Research Bulletin #19 (PDF).
Hotels, check, apartments, check, theaters, restaurants, public transit, hospitals, single-family homes, check, check, check, depressing check…
Another reason I like to point this out is that in all the press accounts that blame bed bugs on international travellers, there is very little mention of the long history of bed bugs right here in North America. More research and less speculation is in order.
Toronto has begun to address the resurgence of bed bugs in an organized way. Naturally, the longer you wait, the harder it is. Anyone who has had bed bugs knows this. They have a terrific knack for multiplying. But policymakers need to be made aware of this. We can’t wait until they all get bed bugs themselves.
Additional University of Toronto photographs are available here.
When is New York City going to act?
Have you written to your council member?
A mattress van in East Harlem
No, there is no law. And we already missed one opportunity—who knows if we’ll get another.
The photographer, Ray Lopez, is a New York City superhero. We don’t use the term lightly. I have had the privilege to see him work. We are immensely grateful for his friendship.
by Renee Corea on April 20, 2008
in Photos
Oh, and when we’re in Brooklyn? Perhaps some kind person will explain some of its trippier mysteries to us.
Starting with the Bed Bug Club.
matt semel
Also via mcbrooklyn.
by Renee Corea on March 25, 2008
in Photos
Can’t resist — Nobugs gave us plenty to go on!
A first instar is 1 mm long.
Have a trusty ruler? I remember drawing a 1 mm line dot on a small post-it and carrying it around for a few days.
AMNH – Sorkin & Mercurio
The thickness of a credit card. Roughly 1/32 of an inch.
That is what we’re talking about…
