Dids

As many of you fellow pest controllers know the trade show calendar is a full one. Shows are scattered all across the globe throughout the year.

Following on from our attendance of Pest Tech earlier this year, Trust K9 is attending PestEx next week. Trust K9 Founder,  Mark Astley will be giving a talk and a demonstration of one of our Bed Bug Sniffer Dogs at 10am on Wednesday the 10th of April 2013, in the technical theatre.

PestEx takes place at the ExCel Centre in London over 10-11 April 2013 and the Trust K9 team will be at stand to answer any questions you have about bed bug sniffer dogs and heat treatment eradication for bed bugs.

Mark and Lola at PestEx 2011

PESTEX – 2011 – Click to watch Mark Astley and Lola from Trust K9 at the show

Make sure you stop by to say hello and meet the dogs-you may get a Lola badge too!

If you have been unlucky enough to be bitten by a bed bug, then you will know that they like to feed on human blood. But what about our pets- should we be worried about Fido and Felix as well?

Trust K9 know for a fact that the answer is yes. Bed bugs will bite other mammals including your pet dog or cat. However, animals are not the bed bugs first choice for a source of food, mainly because they have to get through the fur, which is more work for them.

Whilst on a recent Trust K9 bed bug heat treatment for a fairly heavy infestation in East London, our technicians were looking over the property for items to be removed and for obvious reasons, pets need to be taken out whilst the house is structurally heated up over 24 hours. The owner was about to take Fido’s bed with him, and we asked to check the bed – we found 15 bed bugs just from a visual inspection.

Trust K9 had a break from bed bugs for an afternoon to have an early Christmas celebration to send off our colleague Tracey in style-she is off for 6 weeks to visit Australia, Hong Kong and Thailand (alright for some!)

At Trust K9 we know pretty much all there is to know about bed bugs.  Bed bugs spread by hitch- hiking onto people’s luggage, handbags and clothes. Bed bugs are not just in the UK – they are a worldwide problem.  Anywhere with a regular changeover of residents are a high risk for bed bugs, hence why hotels and hostels experience infestations. Australia and Thailand are popular with back packers and also a risk for bringing bed bugs back, so Tracey has already booked in to get Trust K9 to pick up her luggage on her return to be taken away and heated up to remove any chance of taking any bed bugs or their eggs home.  Find out about our mobile heat options here

Last week Mark and I were given a break from all things bed bugs to go to lunch at the Savoy for the UKHA Annual Business Lunch. It was great fun and we got to meet many people involved in the Hotel Industry.

Trust K9 recognise that housekeepers are pivotal to keeping bed bugs under control in Hotels.  The UKHA meets regularly and ensures that its members are informed about issues such as bed bugs. Mark has given presentations and demonstrations with Lola, one of our Bed Bug Sniffer Dogs, at a couple of their meetings.  Knowing the early signs of a bed bug problem and how to treat effectively is key stopping bed bugs spreading throughout a Hotel.

Both of the Guest Speakers at the Savoy were very entertaining, particularly the Head Butler, Sean Davoren who told us a story about the lengths they sometimes have to go to to please their guests.  Unfortunately he wouldn’t give away any names!

So what can you do to make sure you don’t encounter bed bugs when staying at a Hotel? Trust K9’s advice is to ask Hotels what their policy is for bed bugs.  At the minimum you would expect them to train their staff and chambermaids on what to look for and have processes in place to track any reports of being bitten.  However, for real peace of mind, some of the more reputable Hotels will have regular searches with bed bug dogs, so do ask if they use them, to ensure that you can sleep tight!

Tracey