This bed bug case study covers a severe infestation treated by our team in the second third of 2025 at an older senior living home in Toronto.
Background
Management at a senior living home in Toronto contacted us after repeated reports of bites and visible bed bugs in one resident’s unit. Upon arrival, it was immediately clear to our entomologist that there was a bed bug infestation and that this infestation was severe.
Bed bugs were visible throughout the space. They were on walls, personal belongings, ceramic dolls, and stored items. Not only that, the condition of the unit was incredibly messy, making the treatment impossible without proper preparation.
Bed Bug Decluttering
Before any treatment could begin, our team focused on decluttering the entire unit. The unit was heavily cluttered, creating countless hiding spots for bed bugs and making access to treatment zones difficult.
Items were carefully organized, and bagged using controlled IPM techniques to prevent bed bugs from spreading to other areas of the unit. This step was critical to ensuring the success of the treatment and protecting other residents.
Unexpected Bed Bugs
During decluttering and inspection, our entomologist discovered bed bug activity on items most people would never expect! Ceramic dolls stored within the unit were found to have live bed bugs on them.
Multiple bed bugs were present on these dolls, including bed bugs that had recently fed and were full with blood. This level of activity confirmed how long the infestation had been active and how far it had spread beyond traditional hiding areas. Here is a video showing what our entomologist found:
Bed Bug Treatment
Once preparation was complete, our entomologist carried out a full scale bed bug treatment using science based techniques, like mechanical treatment. Every area of the unit was treated thoroughly, including furniture, walls, flooring, cracks, seams, personal items, storage areas, and the ceramic dolls.
Post Treatment Monitoring
After treatment, bed bug interceptors were installed to track any remaining activity. Clear instructions were also provided to staff and caregivers on post treatment procedures and prevention measures.
Moral of The Story
Bed bugs do not just live in beds (yes, they’re name is misleading). Severe infestations spread into every item and corner of a space, and these severe infestations cannot be successfully treated unless an extremely detailed science based inspection and treatment is used.
