In Context: 5 Web Perspectives On A Story In The News

Bedbugs on the crawl

(Vancouver Sun) Vancouver has a problem with bedbugs. So does Toronto. So does the U.S. In fact, the nocturnal blood-suckers are an increasing problem all over North America and many parts of the world. This article tackles the idea that lack of communication and especially in residential cases, a "shame factor" plays a role in the spread of infestations. People either don't realize what the problem is or are concerned about discussing it due to stigma. The bedbug problem has become so significant in some major cities that governments are forming strategies to deal with the problem. Office buildings, hotels, student residences, hospitals and private residences have all been in the news recently because of bedbugs. In this article, journalist Jeff Heinrich follows a crew of exterminators around Montreal, to see how professionals are dealing with these parasites.

1.

Register your bedbugs

Bedbug Registry
Maciej Ceglowski, a writer and computer programmer, founded this site after a bad bedbug experience in a San Francisco hotel. Founded in 2006, the site primarily serves a public database where users can submit and view bedbug reports in Canada and the U.S. The site has also recently expanded to Great Britain. A resource page and a FAQ add breadth to the site, but the main focus is the bedbug report map. There is a search function to find hotels and residences that have had reports filed on them. City maps show locations that can be clicked to view what reports have been made. As reports aren't independently verified, the reports can be disputed if a hotel or residence believes an accusation is false. Reports are also removed from the site if they don't meet posting guidelines.

2.

Entomologists don't care for bedbugs

University of Kentucky

This page is written by Michael F. Potter, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky's college of Agriculture. The information on this page is cited by numerous bedbug related sites. This site is all about bedbug facts. There are no interactive features, or flashy presentations (though there are many unpleasant bedbug photos), it’s all about information. This article is written in plain language and discusses many topics: how bedbug infestations originate, how to control infestations (it’s not easy), preventing infestations and where bedbugs like to hide. At the bottom of the page is an up-to-date world map with locations of reported bedbug infestations and current country data on bedbugs.

3.

Scientists check for bedbugs in hotels

Science News

Science News is published by the non-profit organization Society for Science & the Public, located in Washington, D.C. The author of this article, Susan Milius, is an experienced science journalist. This is a story about what Susan Milius learned from some bedbug scientists about hotel rooms; more specifically, how they treat staying in hotel rooms. In one anecdote, a scientist went into rooms booked for her lab team and checked the rooms for bugs before letting them in. There is also a story on how to try and clear your head after learning perhaps more than you wanted to about bedbugs.

4.

Public Interest looks at bedbugs

Public Interest

Public Interest is a strategy and communications based consultancy firm based in Toronto, Ont. The organizations focus is working “hand-in-hand with a diverse range of clients interested in social change and innovation in the public and not-for-profit sectors.” The president of Public Interest is Sean Meagher.  This link is to a report commissioned by two Toronto-based non-profit groups: WoodGreen and Habitat Services. The report contains historical information on bedbug infestation in North America and extensive data on the resurgence of bedbugs. The goal of the document is to provide working strategies for non-profits operating in Canada’s largest city, but most of the recommendations apply to any city.

5.

CDC and EPA tackle bedbugs

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a U.S. governmental organization which seeks to provide users with reliable and credible health information. The site is full of information and statistics on a variety of health related subjects. There is a lot of information to search in the CDC site, but the search function is easy to use and customize. The link provided takes you to the primary page on bedbugs. Of particular note is a recent addition, a joint statement from the CDC and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the subject of bedbug control. This document discusses the public health concerns of bedbugs and, more importantly, the role of government agencies in bedbug control. Additional links are provided in most articles making this an excellent resource page.