Bedbugs in the Limelight
Everybody’s least favorite scourge, the bedbug, seems to be a media star this week. The New York Times has mentioned them at least twice in the past week, with its weekend article about how bedbugs can be a deal-breaker for home buyers, and with Matt Gross’ piece yesterday about maintaining your health while traveling. There…
Everybody’s least favorite scourge, the bedbug, seems to be a media star this week. The New York Times has mentioned them at least twice in the past week, with its weekend article about how bedbugs can be a deal-breaker for home buyers, and with Matt Gross’ piece yesterday about maintaining your health while traveling. There was also an infestation at Penguin publishing and Bill Clinton’s office, which triggered a flurry of bedbug articles, and now we’ve learned there was even a bedbug symposium yesterday held in Newark, New Jersey—a conference intended to educate hoteliers and building managers about these pests and how to combat them. Bedbugs can inflict psychological stress, physical discomfort, and thousands of dollars in damage to denizens everywhere.
Buying and Selling in Bedbug City [NY Times]
Health Advice from the Frugal Traveler’s Doctor [NY Times]
Bedbugs at the Penguin Building [NY Observer]
New Yorkers Prefer Rats to Bedbugs [NY Magazine]
G10, DDT was really bad, bxgirl is right. At the same time, its lack has caused worse problems with mosquitoes and malaria in Africa. I think it’s being looked at again to be used judiciously. However I have to say that bedbugs are a pain but hardly a real public health emergency that would warrant easy access to a chemical that almost killed off the entire raptor population of North America.
Absolutely Free Editorial Consultation: Mr. Scheff needs to tighten up his writing to be faster, smarter, funnier. The box material in both TimeOutNY and New York mag are actually good models of extreme economy and some throwaway wit; short form can be an art form (if a minor one). In the item above, for example: “least favorite scourge” is a “duh” lede. Maybe: “Bedbugs were bad enough as pests; now they’re media whores as well.” In the 3d sentence, X out “we’ve learned” and “intended” (better yet, replace the clause after the dash with “a war council for bugged-out hoteliers and building managers.”)And just kill the whole last sentence. Or try: “Are the little bastards really resurgent, or do they just have one hell of a press agent?” (No hard feelings, Jscheff–if you weren’t a promising writer, I would have just slammed you.)
Once this free trial has expired, my services as a copywriter/copy doctor and writing coach can be bought…for a price (bwah-hah-hah). Old magazine editors never die, they just shamble off to Flatbush to grow tomatoes. And raise chickens and bees…maybe.
DIBS – explain
I think the explosion of Bedbugs is a real problem and unless the government comes up with some new effective pesticide – people are going to begin illegally importing DDT again.
It is INSANE that in 21st century America we can not control the bedbug.
Rob, you’re really Miley Cyrus, aren’t you?
I think bed bugs can safely be explained by certain trends covered in “Freakonomics.”
Bxgrl:
ok thanks now I get it
i didnt say getting rid of DDT is the CAUSE for bed bugs coming back, duh i know when it was banned. im just saying that it’s one of the ONLY things that will stamp out this epidemic again. but i guess some people like sleeping with bugs. GROSS
*rob*
DEET was also supposed to be bad for you and everyone wants that now because of the mosquitos. I believe it’s just bad for babies.
Sorry – I don’t know what DDT is, can someone just tell me?
I suspect the Comet I clean with is somewhat toxic too, so is the bleach I put in the water to get my dingies white, oh I know and the milk I drink, the cookies I eat, the fabric softener I use, the gardening spray to kill the skeeters, the chicken I grill, the bedspread I just bought,the new handbag I am dreaming about…
my point is everything we use is somewhat toxic, so why was DDT outlawed?