Don't Blame Bedbugs, Blame Enron

by J John Swanko

09/08/10 (People Port) Bedbugs made a comeback from Government Agencies not doing their jobs. A better way to say it, The Enron Effect. Other insights: Bedbugs will climb on to you, you do not need a long term exposure. They like dirty clothes stored in suitcases. Bad bugs are True Bugs, they are not anything like lice. HIV can live for an hour, Hepatitis, six hours is a bedbug.

This story tells itself. Years before Enron, government agencies in Florida were used to get rid of competition. My bedbug experience makes the point. Political connections were commonly used to pressure competitors. My little firm, guaranteed our work and enjoyed a positive image because we paid refunds and claims. I charged far more. Many of my customers ran companies, held political office, never batted an eye at paying my bill. They liked to call with dead bug complaints. Made it real tough on those marginal firms, no matter how big, because, I did not mind solving a neighbor's problem.

Explaining, "I use IGRs, X company would consider them new, I cannot take your account because you are under contract -but- I do need you to call them. Give them a copy of my service sheet. It shows them what I used, where. When your contract is up, you can call for a quote -I do charge. You and your pet should not have to live with (the unsolved bug problem)."

My first encounter with bedbugs was at a swim meet. We thought they were mosquitoes. They bit me up bad. They did not follow me home. My second, an account that had a guest from Germany. My customer asked me to look into a biting problem. They suspected fleas. The problem occurred in a bedroom. You and I would think we were walking into a museum. The problem was traced back to dirty clothes stored in luggage.

There were no pesticides labeled for bedbugs at that time. One suggestion, a fumigant. I treated for fleas and gave instructions to vacuum the bed, floor. I dusted the dressers with boric acid (my secret weapon that gave competitors nigh mares). It looked like the start of a German roach problem. When I left that house, I went straight to the State's expert, "Mahogany Flats. We studied them in school." He and every other expert said the same thing, "There is nothing labeled to treat them."

That was not entirely true, One expert, I visited had a major competitor visiting. I happened to popped in unannounced. I tried to give them to the expert, my competitor took them first. His insinuation, I planted them for more press coverage. True, I did get a lot more free press than he and the industry. I was the one that normally got that tough call, however, I ignored that remark because I need an alternative to what pesticide I found.

I explained what I did so far and offered the paperwork (using a product for a non-label pest in a way listed on the labeling). The insecticides used so far, were not Restricted Use, He suggested I go with whatever that Florida expert suggested.

The homeowner still thought it was a flea problem, had the rugs done and wanted me back. The matrices looked new. "They were just cleaned." I redid my earlier work, however, this time that steam-cleaning wiped out all traces. I only had the pictures I took earlier.

That customer had no more problems with their fleas. I did wake in the middle of the night getting bitten. I treated my house, mattress. True bugs and fleas have gradual metamorphosis. That means IGRs and overicides, though not perfect, do limit bed bugs. Steam cleaning with real steam does work, however, the mattresses, floors... need vacuuming, brushing would be a waste.

Back then to the dismay of my competitors, I was licensed the Demonstration and Research long. The pest control industry has many layers of government oversight. These are the same ones that check hotel, motel, restaurant, hospital and the like type occupancies,

In my day, no exterminator would tolerate bedbugs because the regulators would be all over them. Today, Clothing stores have found infestations. Enron may have gotten all the press, Picking their regulators... This bedbug outbreak is a direct result.

Notes:

Some in my industry did not understand I was a COPE delegate. I heard what was up long before I got a call. I was taking care of their house too.

I gave my little competitors a bottle of this or that (expense stuff) so they could try it for themselves. Yes, I was being nice, the underlying reason, I always got that call. All of which built a bigger pie.

I left that industry when Andrew hit. I had a problem with SBA. I went to my Senator for help, he told me to see a County Commissioner. True. Fortunately, I went back to the SBA's top person during Andrew, telling him the story. He told me what he knew. He suggested after reviewing my case, Move to Atlanta, we need you there. Should have listened to him.