Bed bugs won’t budge with bug-bomb foggers

Bed bugs hide in hard-to-reach
areas and are difficult to eradicate.

When homeowners want to get rid of bed bugs or other common household insects, they often reach for commercially available “bug bombs” or “foggers.”

New research shows, however, that these products are ineffective against bed bugs.

In an article appearing in the June issue of the Journal of Economic Entomology (JEE), researchers warn that bug bombs and foggers should not be recommended for household bed bug control.

Foggers might actually make matters worse, they say, after examining the effects of three different fogger brands on five different bed bug populations.

In order to be effective, pests need to be exposed to the fogger mist, but bed bugs are known to hide in protected sites such as under sheets and mattresses, in cracks and crevices, deep inside carpets and other areas.

In addition, many bed bug populations have become resistant to insecticides and are likely to survive the application.

Ineffective use of the products can lead to further resistance in insects, the researchers say, concluding that most bed bug infestations require professional extermination help.

Source: Entomological Society of America

Air purifiers for odor and chemical control

Whenever homeowners use pesticides, insecticides or other chemical products in and around the home, chances are the indoor air is polluted with airborne chemicals, gases and toxic fumes.

Choosing more natural products will help, and an air purifier with activated carbon and HEPA provides the most complete protection from common indoor air contaminants.

AllerAir’s air purifiers for the home and office for general purpose air cleaning as well as air cleaners for specific odor and chemical control feature deep-bed activated carbon filters for chemicals, gases and odors, HEPA filters for particles, dust and pollen as well as optional UV germicidal filtration for the neutralization of pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and molds.

Contact AllerAir for more information and options.

How to ease morning allergy symptoms

Dust mites can cause morning stuffiness and more.

Thousands of people are waking up in the morning with a stuffy nose or scratchy throat, which means they could be suffering from an allergy.

Most morning allergy symptoms can be blamed on dust mites, the tiny creatures living in the mattress, pillows and textiles in your bedroom.

Dust mites feast on dead skin cells, and they prefer dark, warm and humid environments (hence the bed).

When people react to dust mites, it’s usually the microscopic waste and bodies of decaying mites that cause symptoms, which are released into the air when you move in the bed.

Dust can make anybody sneeze, and it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s an allergy.

Here are some tips to reduce the effects of the dust mites in the bedroom:

1. Remove as many allergen traps as possible from the bedroom. This includes upholstered furniture, curtains, carpets and the like. Hardwood or ceramic floors are best because they can be cleaned easily. Instead of curtains, you can install blinds, which can also be dusted easily.
     
2. Think about enclosing your mattress, box spring and pillows in an allergy barrier, which traps dust mites and their waste. Make sure the barriers are made of a material that won’t expose you to harmful chemicals or other substances.
    
3. Invest in a high-quality air purifier. Having an air purifier in the bedroom helps trap dust mites and related particles, pollen and other allergens as well as other indoor air pollutants like airborne chemicals and gases, odors and mold spores to help keep the air clean and nasal passages free.

 Source: Hive Health Media

Air purifiers for allergy and asthma

AllerAir offers high-quality air purifiers with activated carbon, medical-grade HEPA and other filtration media for those suffering from allergies and/or asthma.

The AirMedic and AirMedic+ Series have been designed specifically for particle concerns, providing effective and long-lasting relief from airborne dust particles, mold spores, allergens and more.

They also feature a deep bed activated carbon filter to remove a wide range of chemicals, gases and odors, which can also cause or aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms.

Check out AllerAir’s recommendations for allergy air purifiers or contact AllerAir for more information and suggestions.

Insomnia, productivity and indoor air quality

Sleep disorders result in lost productivity, study shows.

Sleep problems are costing the US workforce dearly.

In a recent national survey conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, researchers estimate that insomnia and related sleep disorders cost the US workforce $63.2 billion a year in lost productivity.

The survey revealed that about 23 percent of US workers suffer from insomnia, and that it affects more women than men.

The average US workers is losing about 11.3 days, or $2,280 in lost productivity every year because of sleep disorders, the study shows.

"We were shocked by the enormous impact insomnia has on the average person's life," said lead author Ronald C. Kessler, Ph.D.

"It's an underappreciated problem. Americans are not missing work because of insomnia. They are still going to their jobs but accomplishing less because they're tired. In an information-based economy, it's difficult to find a condition that has a greater effect on productivity."

Because insomnia is not considered an illness – the kind that results in lost days at work – employers tend to ignore its consequences, he added. "Can U.S. employers afford not to address insomnia in workplace?"

Cleaner air for better sleep

People experience sleeping problems for a variety of reasons – but indoor air pollution does not have to be one of them. A portable air purifier is the quickest, safest and most effective way to provide cleaner air in the bedroom and beyond.

Not every air purifier is the same, however. A HEPA-only air filter will remove airborne particles only, but it will leave harmful chemicals and irritating odors behind.

A complete air filtration system from AllerAir removes common household chemicals, gases, odors, dust, dust mites and particles with a powerful activated carbon + HEPA filter combination.

AllerAir's most popular air purifiers for the bedroom include:

• 5000 Series 
• AirMedic Series 
• AirTube Series

Contact AllerAir for more information and a personalized recommendation.