Bed Bug Monitors

By: Stewart Wrighter

In the past, the only way to know if you had insects where you sleep was to see them or the debris left behind. You might see brown flakes on your mattress or wake up with the tiny red bumps their bites create. Nowadays, there is a high-tech way to determine if you have a problem. Bed bug control is easier than ever with these new gadgets. You will know exactly when it is time to call on the services of exterminators. Instead of relying on old-fashioned methods to spot the offenders, homeowners and apartment managers are using monitors to spot a problem in its early stages. This prevents the problem from spreading, which is quite common in shared living spaces. If one mattress in a building is infested, it will not be long before all of them are swimming with the dirty little creatures.

The problem is not just local either. All across the country people are itchy and scratching after spending the night sleeping on their mattress. The problem is also found in hotels, college dorms, hospitals, and apartment buildings. Nothing drives tenants, clients, and patients away quicker than the inability to get a good night of rest. Those who base their livelihood on someone else’s night of rest are especially concerned with infestation problems. Though the pests post no health risks, they are a real turn-off. Given the choice between sleeping in an infested area and one that is clean, it is no surprise most people would choose the clean option.

The latest development in the effort to combat insects is monitors. They help with both detection and elimination. This is especially useful when dealing with stronger “super bugs” that have developed a resistance to typical pesticides. Monitors alert people to the presence of insects in the early stages of infestation. This allows the problem to be handled before it spreads. Monitors are also able to determine the effectiveness of the treatment applied. This can save thousands of dollars in treatment, as well as lost customers or tenants.

The technology is still developing. Eventually, it will be possible to distinguish between insects when dealing with a monitor. Monitors will be available for more than just bedrooms, too. Not only does early detection make treatment easier, a false reading on a monitor also puts a sleeper’s mind at ease. Imagine how much better your night of sleep would be in a hotel’s bedroom if you had absolute proof there were no critters sharing the mattress and sheets with you.

Monitoring in public areas might eventually become law. Slum lords often ignore complaints from tenants about insect problems. They know they can always deny their awareness of the problem. It is easy enough to say when they checked, things were fine. With a monitor, solid proof is given that there is an infestation. This helps protect both tenant and landlord, should there be a question of extermination issues. And again, it puts a person’s mind at ease when determining whether or not to live in a particular building.