Bed Bug Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, April 12, 2024

Last month, a homeless shelter run by a church in Solano County was forced to close its doors by government officials due to health and safety concerns. According to multiple media outlets, some of the issues that resulted in the facility being red tagged included water damage and mold, and complaints of a bed bug infestation.

Bed bugs are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of people and animals, usually while they sleep. They are experts at hiding, which can make them difficult to find. The presence of bed bugs can be an ongoing annoyance because they may cause itching and loss of sleep for people living in, or visiting, an infested property. Some people may even suffer allergic reactions to their presence.

Mold is a known allergen, irritant and asthma trigger for many people. Some types of mold can also produce toxic substances known as mycotoxins. There are even species of mold associated with water damaged buildings that can cause opportunistic infections in people with a weakened or suppressed immune system.

“Indoor environmental quality testing can be instrumental for identifying bed bug infestations, mold contamination and other indoor exposure risks before conditions reach levels that could result in the temporary or permanent closure of a building,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Testing is also crucial for assessing an indoor environment after cleanup and remediation of any mold and moisture problems, as well as a bed bug infestation, to ensure the problem has been properly taken care of. It’s also important to recognize that treating a minor bed bug infestation is far less costly than treating an infestation that has become widespread.”

To help in these types of efforts, LA Testing offers laboratory testing services for mold and bed bugs, sampling supplies, easy-to-use test kits and building inspection tools. LA Testing even recently sponsored an educational video about bed bugs that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/UFAdXsBi5rs 

To learn more about building science, indoor environmental quality, occupational, health and safety testing resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. To access test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.