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Ladybug vs. Bedbugs: Beagle Sniffs Out Blood Suckers!

PetSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:50:05 -0700

So I see this beagle, Ladybug, sniffing around. Pretty cute, right? Well, his task . . . not so cute. This pooch is inspecting an apartment with bedbugs here in San Francisco. Cases of these infestations are on the rise across the country – did you just start feeling itchy for no reason? – and many breeds can sniff them right out.

My quick web search uncovered several companies with pooches for hire (like K-9 Bed Bug Detection Services) to nose around your house to make sure the buggies didn't hitch a ride with you from a recent stay at a hotel or airport. That's one pup I hope to never have to invite into my home!

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Flashback: Bed Bugs From Milton Bradley

GiggleSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Gross. You'd think this was dreamed up in Victorian England ("catch the bed bugs with these tongs!"), but it looks more like the '60s. I loved Milton Bradley, especially their Operation game, but this is just gross. Also, I kept thinking the kids were going to eat the jumping bugs because their instruments looked like chopsticks. Bizarro - is there a lice version?

Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 14:00:00 -0800

Bedbugs are just plain gross. They haven't been a big issue since WWII until now.

It's being reported that bedbugs are making a comeback across Manhattan. Why are they back? Some theories claim that the recent rise in world travel is bringing the bedbug back. Bedbugs aren't discriminatory in where the stay, so don't think the nice hotels are free of them.

Gross.

To check a hotel before staying there, go to the bed bug registry, which is an online site devoted to keeping track of known places infested with bed bugs (this includes apartments and hotels).

Fit's Tip: When staying at hotels anywhere, always use the suitcase stand provided in the room. Those little buggers can (and will) travel into your luggage especially if it is sitting on the floor or on the extra bed you're not using. Before snuggling in, check the bed for signs (they like to hide in little crevices) and before leaving, check your luggage. If you notice bites, contact the hotel's customer service and consider seeing a dermatologist.

Bed Bugs

DearSugar — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 18:16:21 -0800

Dear Sugar
My boyfriend is a 4th year medical student so we hardly get to see each other. The weeks he is on call are tough, and when he's not, he's catching up on sleep or studies. For our anniversary, I surprised him with a basket of food and nurse inspired lingerie at the hospital. The night was just what the doctor ordered...a home cooked meal instead of hospital food and a little patient doctor role play in room 206! He was elated and I knew it was the best anniversary present I could have gotten him. But ever since that night, our bodies have been itching like crazy. It turns out that we have bed bugs from the hospital bed! GROSS! I am worried about my health and I am also embarrassed that someone will find out. Does it mean that I am dirty? I literally have cooties. Bugging Out

Dear Bugging Out
Of course it doesn't mean that you are dirty or have cooties. This is just an unfortunate circumstance. Also, if it makes you feel better, there is no need to be alarmed about health risks. Bed bugs are not considered a serious disease threat. But do take action to get rid of them ASAP. They lay eggs quickly and begin to feed on you once the eggs hatch. You don't want to mess around with these little buggers. As far as feeling embarrassed, you should be more concerned that room 206 doesn't have video cameras. I can only wonder if your role play involved full body check ups. Make sure you thoroughly treat all of your body parts!

Keep Those Wee Teeth Healthy This Halloween

babysugar — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 06:00:03 -0700

Sure kids adore the costume aspect of Halloween but the number one reason why wee ones look forward to the ghoulish holiday? The hunt for candy. Chocolate bars, candy corn, and bags of Skittles can make a youngster hopelessly in love with sugar but leave their pearly whites in pain. Thanks to Dr. Sherri Worth, a dentist to the stars and mother of three, we have some helpful tips to offer parents on how to protect those tiny chompers and combat cavities.

Rinse and Repeat: So simple…RINSE right after the candy fest. Toss the kids some water bottles and have them drink up while watching that scary movie before bed. Getting the initial sugar rinsed out before the candy has time to settle on to the surface of the tooth is key.
Do It For Them: I always brush and floss my kids’ teeth the night before Halloween. I tell them that there are so many “sugar bugs” on Halloween that I need to get them out.

To see the rest of her pointers, just read more.

Tool Time: Buy them a new toothbrush and let them use it the first time on Halloween night. They will spend more time on their teeth because it is new and special.
Keep It in the Kitchen: No candy after the teeth are brushed at night – we all know they love to keep their candy with them (taking it to bed) – keep it in the kitchen.
Fill ‘Em Up!: Have a good healthy dinner before trick-or-treating, so that they will not have a dinner of candy.

Do you have any tips to share for keeping young teeth healthy? Share them in The Mommy Club over in our LilSugar Community! Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Ladybug Vs. The Bed Bugs!

PetSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:10:26 -0700

Beagle sniffer dog!

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Bed-Bug City!

GiggleSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:00:00 -0800

What kind of ad for a hotel is this? I'm nervously scratching my skin just reading it.

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MLP Stays Up Late but Doesn't Let the Bed Bugs Bite

PopSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:00:00 -0700

Mary-Louise Parker waved and smiled to the cameras outside of The Late Show studios in NYC yesterday. She's out promoting Weeds, but MLP also talked about her latest Emmy nomination, a possible bed bug infestation and a recent wardrobe malfunction - though she's not usually modest when it comes to showing some skin. Check out her cute video below.

To see more photos of Mary-Louise plus the video of her interview, just read more.

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How-To: Say Goodbye to Dust Mites

CasaSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:00:25 -0700

If you have allergies or asthma, chances are you're also sensitive to dust mites. While you can't see these icky, little bugs (they're microscopic), that doesn't mean they're not lurking in your home. Dust mites love to hang out in warm and cozy spots such as carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, and beds.

Don't worry though: there are plenty of ways you can combat the presence of dust mites in your home. For one, you can start by not making your bed. Since dust mites need humidity levels above 50 percent in order to survive, an unmade bed is too dry for the critters to survive in.

Want more tips for decimating your home's dust mite population? Then read more.

If you live in a hot and humid climate, invest in a dehumidifier. Since dust mites, as I mentioned earlier, need humidity levels above 50 percent, a dehumidifer can suck moisture out of closets, carpets, and other damp spaces, thus reducing dust mites.
Wash bedding in hot water, and dry on high to kill dust mites. Alternately, hang your bedding to dry in the sun to zap the bugs.
Vacuum regularly, and thoroughly, with a HEPA filter vacuum.
Use a HEPA air purifier to eliminate indoor airborne allergens.
Do you have kids? Replace their nonwashable stuffed animals with hypoallergenic, washable toys.

Also, check out these products to help you out with your dust mite fight!

Hoover® WindTunnel Bagless Upright Vacuum Anniversary Edition - $169.99	Vicks Nursery True Hepa Air Purifier - $59.99
Dyson Ball DC25 Animal Vacuum - $650.00	Kaz Inc Permanent True HEPA Air Purifier with Germ Reduction - $189.99
Graco HEPA Grade Air Purifier - $54.98	Miele 3-in-1 Stick Vacuum - $429.00
Kaz Inc Honeywell True Hepa Air Purifier - $149.99	Dream Baby® Dehumidifying Egg - $22.99

Source: Flickr User stacy michelle

10 Lights to Keep the Nights Bright

babysugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:00:18 -0700

Good night. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite. MOM! Please turn on the light! When youngsters have a tough time getting shut-eye in a pitch black room, they will appreciate a lil light being shed on them. Save some tears and energy by keeping the overhead switch off and introducing one of these luminous friends to your tot.

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