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GOVERNMENT RESPONSES
A BED BUG SPECIALIST is at the forefront of drawing attention to the growing problems of BED BUGS in our community.
Worldwide, the World Health Organisation has listed BED BUGS as a health risk and the American Government has held SEVERAL BED BUG SUMMITS to try and address the enormous social issues they are now facing with BED BUGS, issues we here in Australia will face if there is no immediate, co-ordinated action to control this plague.
Below you will find a record of correspondence with government by A BED BUG SPECIALIST to try and get a pre-emptive response through acknowledgement of the problem and education of the public to recognise, understand and effectively deal with BED BUG infestations. Those affected by BED BUGS can monitor Ministers attitude to this growing issue and I strongly advise anyone who has been affected either physically or financially by BED BUGS to contact their local member and impress upon them the very real menace BED BUGS represent.
I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO TODAY TONIGHT AND CHANNEL 7 FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUBLICIZE THE ENORMOUS ISSUE OF BED BUGS AND TO SHOW SOME OF THE DO'S AND DON'TS FOR THOSE ENCOUNTERING BED BUGS. ONCE THE PROGRAMME HAS AIRED I WILL SUPPLY A LINK.
http://www.7perth.com.au/view/today-tonight-articles/today-tonight-bed-bugs/
JANUARY 2011
The Honorable Kim Hames, MB, BS, JP, MLA
Deputy Premier, Minister for Health, Tourism
28th Floor, Governor Stirling Tower,
197 St Georges Terrace,
PERTH WA 6000
Dear Sir,
Re: The growing problem of bed bugs.
I have contacted your Government before regarding this issue, but will draw your attention to a report from a working party in Ohio USA into this problem. I have included the opening letter to illustrate the seriousness of the issue and the call for procedures to deal with it. Here is the link to the full report.
http://davidgmiller.typepad.com/files/2011-ohio-bed-bug-workgroup-report.pdf
The sooner State and Federal Governments recognise the threat of this pest and take steps to educate the public sector about it, the less the growth of the problem and the cost of control.
Bed bugs do not pass on disease but can and do cause serious distress, can affect a person’s work and safety through lack of sleep and constant itching, and the safety of others if that person happens to be a pilot, taxi driver, operates large machinary etc. This is why the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention have deemed bed bugs a health risk.
I have tried to raise awareness through my information-based website (www.abedbugspecialist.com.au) but, as the report attached highlights, the biggest issue is with the lower socio-economic groups who are most impacted, they cannot afford treatment and have not got access to computers for information.
It would be a relief to know you have viewed the report and become familiar with what our future holds, if serious action is not taken.
Yours sincerely
Terry Glasson
RESPONSE
It is refreshing to see a personal response and to read that the Minister has done some homework on this major public health issue and that he agrees that there is a worldwide resurgence of bed bugs. I must, however, point out some major concerns that this response raises. The Honorable Kim Hames mentions that public awareness has been raised by the national media (which it has and also by the local channel 7 Today Tonight programme) and by the WA Government, accommodation and pest management industries. I am afraid I have seen nothing on this matter from the WA Government and the accommodation industry is loathe to even mention bed bugs by name, let alone "raise awareness." It is, however, good news that the Minister appreciates the changes in pesticide use has been affecting bed bug populations and, unlike most politicians, is aware that bed bugs are resistant to organochlorins. It is frightening, however, that he then goes on to say that pest controllers and members of the public have to rely on synthetic pyrethroids and carbamates for bed bug control. There is a plethora of research articles and statements (including the Ohio Report) that show that bed bugs are resistant to synthetic pyrethroids and the reliance on them is a major reason populations are spreading so rapidly. Another reason they spread so rapidly is ineffective attempts by the public to self treat this very difficult pest. Back on the positive and The Hon. Kim Hames is aware that the methods employed by A Bed Bug Specialist (steam, pesticide and treatments for all goods) is the recommended Worlds Best Practice for bed bug removal. I would be interested to view the content of the training course provided as it seems most pest controllers still rely on a fifteen minute spray of pesticides to eradicate the bed bugs with a consequence that I have been employed on several occasions to treat varied "treated" accommodation. I am sorry I was not involved in the "information sessions" but respectfully suggest it is the public who need to be educated as is highlighted in the aforementioned Ohio Report, and accommodation providers who inadequately deal with this invasive pest need to be compelled to clean up their bed bug act.
In summary, I am relieved the Minister has taken some time to acknowledge the massive bed bug problem we all now face but it seems he may be in need of more up to date information and advice, to effectively direct the agencies involved in confronting this major health issue. I think it would be invaluable for one of his senior staffers to read the Ohio report and do some up to date research and report back to the Minister on the urgent needs of the public to slow the rapid spread of bed bugs.
JUNE 2010
The Honourable Troy Buswell, BEc, MLA,
Treasurer; Minister for Commerce;
Science and Innovation; Housing & Works,
21st Floor, Governor Stirling Tower,
197 St Georges Terrace,
PERTH WA 6000
Dear Minister,
The matter I wish to raise is a concern and responsibility of many portfolios: Health, Community Welfare, Tourism etc., but it is in Housing that the most urgent and serious repercussions are being faced.
I specialize in the treatment of bed bugs, a pest that has re-emerged in western countries to the point that the American Government called a summit in March 2009 to address a problem they are now calling a pandemic. Many issues were raised but the most frightening aspect and the aspect I am seeing appear in WA with more regularity, is the spread of the pest throughout lower socio-economic groups. Although initially a distressing problem for more affluent travelers, now, as has already happened with devastating effects in the USA and elsewhere, bed bugs are moving into poorer housing where people live much closer together, allowing much quicker and easier transfer of bed bug populations from household to household. Many of the poor are unable to deal financially with the problem and are physically incapable of preparing their residence for an effective treatment.
Right now I am dealing with: a family being supported in the treatment by Disability Services; two invalid pensioners; and have had a request for help from an indigenous family. All the latter are being housed in Homeswest accommodation. I fear if the residences are not treated or the treatment is ineffective, the people will be forced to move, spreading the bugs to other premises and leaving bed bugs in their former residents for new tenants to endure.
There are many other areas where the problem of bed bugs is occurring and threatening to affect the welfare and prosperity of this state, areas such as tourism, mining, aged care etc., and it is through a lack of understanding and education that this modern plague has been allowed to thrive in our society.
A quick Google search for bed bugs New York, bed bugs Toronto etc, will give you evidence of the growth of this problem and the difficulties different cities are having in controlling this sinister pest. Governments have avoided confronting bed bugs because there is no evidence they pass on disease, but the reality is that no-one can live with this pest and the longer it is ignored in a city, the harder and more expensive it becomes to deal with. Legal precedents have been set and it is without dispute that an accommodation provider must provide habitable premises free of pests. A legal challenge to Homeswest would not only be of great embarrassment but, in all likelihood, be successful for the plaintiff as it is very difficult to say when or how a large infestation started. I have recently been involved in such a legal case where a tenant successfully sued a landlord.
West Australia has the problem and it is growing, but it is still something that can be controlled with some urgent input by government in welfare and general education of the population.
My website, www.abedbugspecialist.com.au can give you more insight into the unique difficulties of controlling bed bugs or I would be more than happy to discuss the matter in person.
Yours sincerely
RESPONSE
TREASURER; MINISTER FOR COMMERCE;
SCIENCE & INNOVATION; HOUSING & WORKS
Our Ref: 30-12966
Mr Terry Glasson
Proprietor
A Bed Bug Specialist Pest Control
117 Grand Promenade
BEDFORD WA 6052
Dear Mr Glasson
On behalf of the Minister, thank you for your letter regarding bed bugs.
The Government is committed to providing public housing that is safe, clean and in good
condition and does not provide furniture or bedding. Tenants are expected to leave a
property in the condition it was found upon occupation.
The Department of Housing inspects all vacated properties prior to allocation to determine
the amount of maintenance required to return the property to a re-lettable condition.
Where one or more issues are identified at a vacated property which require heavy cleaning
or rubbish removal, arrangements are made for the work to be completed and the cost will be
charged as tenant liability.
The eradication of pests is the responsibility of the tenant in single detached accommodation
except where any infestation occurs within three months of occupation.
Public housing tenants are expected to maintain their properties to a standard
commensurate with the general community, which is a condition of the tenancy agreement
signed by tenants. Each property is inspected twice a year, or more frequently when a
problem is identified. Where property standards are not maintained or damage occurs,
tenants are expected to pay any associated costs.
The Department is responsible for the eradication of pests in apartments, duplexes,
townhouses and senior complexes. Where a problem with pests is identified, the
Department will only engage licensed pest control operators who operate under the
Department of Health regulations.
I trust this information is of assistance to you.
Yours sincerely
RACHAEL TURNSECK
DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF
RESPONSE
A STITCH IN TIME COULD HAVE SAVED SO MUCH AND SO MANY. THE POLITICIANS WILL ENCOUNTER BED BUGS AND THEN WE MIGHT SEE SOME ACTION, BUT CAN WE REALLY BLAME THEM? MANY PEOPLE MOCK BED BUGS, AND EVEN CLAIM THEY ARE FICTITIOUS, UNTIL THEY LIVE THE NIGHTMARE.
REGISTRATION NUMBER 1691
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