Bed Bugs in Chicago--You Might Want to Go to the Burbs

[charlestudor2005]

From http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-bedb...,2520374.story

CHICAGO — Bedbugs have gone from homes and hotel rooms to business offices in Downtown Chicago.

Last week, Chicago Public Schools' headquarters treated all 20 floors of its building after an employee reported bites.

Two weeks ago, JPMorgan Chase had an issue at its Chase Tower.

The company says its infestation only affected three of its cubicles.

Late last month, bedbug expert Meron Kahssai says he educated employees at a government office in the Loop, after the office had an infestation.

Bedbugs can travel, and they do not need beds to live or reproduce.

The blood sucking bugs can attach themselves to purses, coats, or luggage that came from infested buildings.

They can also live in furniture and office files at workplaces.

Bedbugs rapidly reproduce and survive on a single 'serving' of blood for up to one year.

They are best known to get that blood from people when they're sleeping.

One female bug can lead to 30,000 bugs in just six months.

Bedbugs are hard to get rid of because they can withstand most pesticides.

Many pest control companies use heat or steam to kill the bugs and their eggs, since they cannot survive in temperatures greater than 120 degrees.

CPS says it used "thermal remediation," where an entire room is heated.
Copyright © 2010, WGN-TV, Chicago

[GBN94]

if they're in the city they're in the burbs.

More than likely the area around Ohare, Rosemont, and Schaumburg are more infested than anything in the Michigan Ave area as they cater to a more bargain based traveler who frequents less expensive hotels with an equally less thorough cleaning services.