Five-City Bed Bug Education Tour Kicks Off Memorial Day Weekend in NYC
ST. LOUIS, May 31, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
With bed bug infestations in the U.S. on the rise, entomologist Timothy J. Gibb, PhD, director of the Insect Diagnostic Lab for the Department of Entomology at Purdue University, says it's important to be wary of bed bugs that could be moving into your home or workplace this summer via suitcases, backpacks, computer cases, clothing and other portable items. During the heavy summer travel months, especially, it's important to understand how to identify and avoid a bed bug infestation, and how to get rid of the pesky creatures when discovered.
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed solely on the blood of people and animals while they sleep. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most people do not realize they are transporting stow-away bed bugs as they travel from location to location, infecting areas as they travel (http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/bedbugs/faqs.html).
A human-sized Hot Shot(R) Bed Bug Man character (photos here: http://budurl.com/BedBugMan1, http://budurl.com/BedBugMan2http://budurl.com/BedBugMan3) and Dr. Timothy Gibb will be traveling to and making public appearances in four of the top infested cities, ranked for bed bugs by treatment data, including New York (May 29-June 2), Washington, D.C (June 5-9), Philadelphia (June 12-16) and Chicago (June 28-July 2). The Hot Shot(R) character also will be in Los Angeles June 20-24.
The tour comes on the heels of the May 11 publication of an article that will appear in the June 2011 edition of Emerging Infectious Diseases, published by the CDC, suggesting bedbugs could transmit antibiotic-resistant bacteria during a blood meal (http://www.cdc.gov/media/eid/2011/06.html). Dr. Marc Romney, a medical microbiologist at St. Paul's Health Care in Vancouver, B. C., and Christopher F. Lowe, University of Toronto, report recovery of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) from bedbugs found on hospital patients in Vancouver. According to the report, "Bedbugs carrying MRSA and/or VRE may have the potential to act as vectors for transmission. Further studies are needed to characterize the association between S. aureus and bedbugs." Additional information on MRSA can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/index.html.
"The two points I urge travelers to keep in mind are awareness and inspection," said Dr. Gibb. "Knowing what to look for as soon as you enter a hotel room, how to identify bed bugs and what to do if you find them can help alleviate the issue and help decrease the possible spread from travel this summer."
And Dr. Gibb isn't the only one watching out for bedbugs wanting to step up as "travelers." Peter Greenberg, The Contrarian Traveler, reported on April 27, 2011, that passengers on two commercial airlines recently have witnessed excess passengers (bed bugs) on both domestic and international flights: http://www.bnet.com/blog/travel-detective/airplanes-littered-with-rat-droppings-and-bed-bugs/693.
As using a pest control company to eradicate the pests can be out-of-reach for some consumers, do-it-yourself products such as Hot Shot(R) offer an affordable and convenient alternative. Hot Shot(R) spot treatment options include handheld bottles available in various sizes and sprayer styles. For tips, visit United Industries Corp.'s consumer site at: http://www.bedbugsolutionscenter.com/. The Hot Shot product line, produced by United Industries Corp., includes aerosols, liquid gallon spray, foggers and handheld bottles. Hot Shot(R) is sold nationwide and can be found at Home Depot stores, Lowes and Walgreens. For retail locations, visit www.hotshot.com.
Dr. Gibb, an Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialist at Purdue University's Department of Entomology, has written and presented numerous publications, presentations and papers on entomology and bed bugs. Since 1990, Dr. Gibb's expertise has been referenced or quoted in newspaper, magazine, radio and TV articles on a broad range of entomologically related topics.
About United Industries Corporation
United Industries Corporation, a subsidiary of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., is a leading supplier of products for the home and garden, featuring such well known brands as HotShot(R), Spectracide(R), Cutter(R), Garden Safe(R), Repel(R), and Schultz(R).
About Spectrum Brands Holdings
Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPB), a member of the Russell 2000 Index, is a diversified, global consumer products company and a leading supplier of batteries, shaving and grooming products, personal care products, small household appliances, specialty pet supplies, lawn & garden and home pest control products, personal insect repellents and portable lighting. Helping to meet the needs of consumers worldwide, the Company offers a broad portfolio of market-leading and widely trusted brands including Rayovac(R), Remington(R), Varta(R), George Foreman(R), Black & Decker(R), Toastmaster(R), Tetra(R), Marineland(R), Nature's Miracle(R), Dingo(R), 8-in-1(R), Littermaid(R), Spectracide(R), Cutter(R), Repel(R), and Hot Shot(R). Spectrum Brands Holdings' products are sold by the world's top 25 retailers and are available in more than one million stores in more than 120 countries around the world. Spectrum Brands Holdings generated net sales of $3.1 billion from continuing operations in fiscal 2010.For more information, visit www.spectrumbrands.com.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Hot Shot(R) is headquartered at One Rider Trail Plaza Drive, Suite 300, Earth City, Mo. 63045-1313.
SOURCE: Spectrum Brands
For Hot Shot(R) Erin Smith/Barb Pierce, 314-571-6296 Cell: 314-580-8593 bpierce@WeAreHughes.com or Spectrum Brands Chris Evans, 770-360-5306 chris.evans@spectrumbrands.com