"Raycop Anti-Allergy Bed Vac"

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Trebor wrote:

Hi Trebor:

Nice to see/hear that the vacuum industry and its professionals still have a sense of humor.

Carmine D.

Carmine,

As you no doubt already know, while lacking a sense of humor may permit survival, to thrive without one is impossible!

Definitely true for me.  I have to be laughing to enjoy living.

Carmine D.

Looks like the infamous bed bug brigade is back in full force in the USA.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/20090515/sc_mcclatchy/3234191_1

http://health.yahoo.com/sleep-living/bedbugs/healthwise--za1160.html

http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=how+to+get+rid+of+bedbugs&fr=fp-today&cs=bz&sado=1

Carmine D.

Hi Carmine,

UV devices will not prevail against that kind of insect. Bedbugs, in comparison, are much larger than dust mites and also hide within in the recesses of bed frames, woodwork joints and mattress seams. A heavy and thorough insecticide application is usually required.

The following link contains a thorough coverage of bedbugs and toward the end of the article gives information as to how infestations may begin which may or may not be helpful preventionwise.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedbug

Best,

Venson

Thanks Venson, excellent article on bedbugs.  Apparently their population has grown over 500 percent in the USA in recent years.  And like you said they are visible to the human eye: Adults grow to 4–5 mm (1/8th – 3/16th of an inch) including eggs which are 1 mm or the equivalent of 2 grains of salt.  It was thought that DDT ended them in the USA over 50 years ago but a new strain is resistant to DDT.  And treatment for bites are steroids and topical hydrocortisone creams.  Yuk!  Pays to keep a clean frequently vacuumed home to ensure a healthy home, including the bedrooms and mattresses, which are often overlooked.

Carmine D.

CarmineD wrote:
Hi Carmine,

I don't know if the proper term is mutation but it seems to be a problem all round these days. Way, way back --two centuries to be exact -- when I was in junior high a science taught us that when you kill of just about anything from houseflies to bacteria that there will always be x-amount of survivors that will breed a more resistant strain.

This is the reason for many of the so-called super-infections acquired during hospital stays. DDT, hexachloriphine, and some antibiotics, etc., were quickly pressed into to use only to be later discovered to not only be bad for germs and vermin but people too.

Keeping a tidy house is of course very important but there are those everyday instances of inadvertant susceptibility as we go about our business out there in the world.

I can't count the times when I've probably broadcasted my own germs on a crowded subway when I've had to go do a days work when ill. There are lots of coughers, sneezers and carriers around.

Venson

Here in the UK the Raycorp is made by Ewbank. I tried lifting it one day in a shop and was outraged; really heavy for a hand held. I've put my Vax/Dynammite model on the bed and was shocked at the amount of dirt that came off ther mattress however; one reason alone to why I keep this noisy little upright!