Are you living in one of the worst places for fall allergies?  Check out the latest list for the Top 20 Fall Allergy Hotspots.   

Fall Allergy Hotspots: The 20 Worst Places In The U.S.

If you’re an allergy sufferer, you hardly need us to remind you, but it is that time of year again! Fall allergy season is upon us.  Think you live in a particularly bad spot?

The non-profit Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has, once again, compiled a list of the 100 worst metro areas for seasonal allergies — rankings that are based on pollen scores, the number of allergy meds used per patient in any given area, as well as the number of specialists in that spot. According to WebMD, one of the main culprits for fall allergies is ragweed, which typically begins pollinating in August, but can linger into the fall. Mold spores can also play a major role.

Wondering if your hometown made the so-called “allergies capital” list? Check out the 20 worst offenders below as reported in the Huffington Post.

1. ENCASE:  Cover your bed with allergy encasings!  They’re the #1 doctor-recommended step for allergy relief!
2. WASH:  Wash linens to remove allergens.  Make your job easier with allergen-removing detergents.
3. CLEAN:  Every little bit helps with cleaning and certain household cleaners are designed to tackle allergens.
4. REMOVE:  It’s best to remove carpets, but that can be touch.  Use carpet treatments that remove allergens.
5. FILTER:  Air filters trap allergens and keep them from circulating in your home. 
6. PURIFY:  HEPA air purifiers capture airborne allergens.  Save now on Blueair HEPA filter replacements! 
7. SAVE:  What’s this 7th step?  Oh yeah, it’s an extra bonus from us!  SAVE 20% with code 20SPOT until 10/31.  If you’re in a tight spot with allergies, get the products and the relief you need! 

If you’re in college or have a college-aged child, we’re sure you’re not surprised that bed bugs are becoming such a problem across the U.S. and internationally as well.  The news regularly reports on the bed bug problem, and it’s pretty ugly out there.  College dorms are seeing a huge rise in bed bug infestations.  A recent study by the National Pest Management Association found that 54% of college dorms have bed bugs.  Gross!  

We know you have might have just taken your child back to college or maybe brought him or her for the first time.  It’s hard enough to get ready for that journey away from home – packing the car for every day college needs…never mind having to worry about bed bugs!  At college, you shouldn’t have to worry about bed bugs in your room.  Save the getting acquainted part of college for your roommate, not a blood-sucking pest.  And Mom and Dad,  we hope that you didn’t get any unwanted travellers that came back home with you.  While you’re focusing on unpacking all of the college necessities, Mr. Bed Bug & Friends may be hopping a ride in your stuff for the trip back home. 

 Click here to view the video of a story that shows a college family and their recent experiences with bed bugs and trying to get rid of them.   

Do you have any stories you can share with us regarding your college experience?  Do you have tips or ideas on how to avoid them at school?  Did your college or university address the issue with you before arrival?  We want to know!

A seriously gross thing that we heard on National Geographic’s bed bug video is that these nasty critters can bite you up to 500 times a night!  The bites are itchy and painful, and while they are horrendous to even think about, the bites may be the least of your problems.  If you’ve encountered bed bugs, you’ve got Trouble with a capital T!  If you’re at a hotel with bed bugs, you could bring them home where all heck will break loose (more on this topic this week).  And if bed bugs have infested your home, serious steps will need to be taken to get rid of them.  Some people have to resort to throwing away bedding, mattresses, couches or other bed bug havens.  And these pests are hardy so they don’t go down without a fight. 

Encasing your bed is a major preventative step to avoid bed bug problems and save your bedding (and your sanity).  Consider how the simple step of encasing your bed can help you: 

• Bed bugs like to burrow into dark, soft areas where they are in close proximity with their major food source … namely you and your blood.  (We have to say ICK again, just writing these words.)
• If bed bugs get into your home, they will likely head for your bed and bedding.  If you’ve covered your bed with a bed bug proof encasing, the bed bug can’t get into the bedding to make its home there.  The encasing acts like a KEEP OUT sign to protect your pillow, mattress, box spring or comforter.
• Encasings slip onto your bedding in a matter of minutes to form this protective barrier.  And it’s not like you have to trade off comfort and resort to some sort of crinkly, hot encasing.  These encasings are not vinyl!  COTTON PERFORMANCE encasings are made from 100% cotton.  Pristine COMPLETE encasings are 100% microfiber.  Both are soft, smoothe, quiet and invisible on the bed.  You won’t know they are there! 
• You might be wondering how 100% cotton or 100% microfiber gets the job done to keep out bed bugs?  These encasings aren’t made from any old fabric.  They’re specially woven, advanced fabrics that are about as high tech as you can get when talking about fabric.   In addition to the specialized fabric, the encasings have superior construction features that block bed bugs (or keep them in, if you’ve already had a problem).  The seams, stitching and zippers are all high quality and tight so that bed bugs don’t get in or out. 
• If you already have bed bugs in your home (ouch, we feel for you), you can salvage your mattress or box spring by placing encasings on both and leaving the encasings on for at least 18 months.  These pests can go a long time without food and therefore, leave the encasings on to starve them!  As for pillows and comforters, encasings can help here too but you may want to consider getting rid of both or possibly numerous hot water washes. 
• Two other great things about COTTON PERFORMANCE and Pristine COMPLETE encasings are that they also protect you from dust mite and pet allergens for a healthier night’s sleep AND they are 25% OFF  through 9/30 when you use code BUGWEEK! 

Our best advice, be proactive with encasings rather than being reactive!  Use the 25% discount with discount code BUGWEEK and encase your bed.  Enjoy allergy relief, bed bug protection and savings!

Don’t miss Animal Planet’s show on the serious bed bug problem across the U.S., which re-airs Thursday night, 8/25 at 10 p.m.  Not home tomorrow?  Make sure to set your TIVO’s / DVR’s to record “Bedbug Apocalypse” because this show is not to be missed.  The show was described in our office as “incredible and incredibly scary” so prepare for some serious ick-factor!  Leave us your comments about what you thought on the show! 

See how Animal Planet describes the show:

See Bedbug Apocalypse air-times by clicking here.

If you think you’ll never sleep the same way again, consider encasing your bed with Allergy Control Pristine COMPLETE encasings or Allergy Control COTTON PERFORMANCE encasings.  The encasing goes around your pillow, mattress or other bedding like a protective cover.  They are tested and proven to keep out bed bugs.  Just a few minutes to slide the encasings on your bedding can save you from a huge headache in the end.