Nov 09, 2021
If you know someone dealing with a hoarding lifestyle, you need to understand that they might be dealing with other mental health problems and situations that, because they didn’t know how to handle them at the moment, they developed into the delicate issue that is hoarding.
Hoarding, by definition, is a situation where an individual is incapable of parting with items and belongings. Some people also struggle with animal hoarding, a more delicate situation that involves other creatures and that might result in a public safety issue. The reason for hoarding is that people add an emotional value to their possessions, it goes beyond what the items might cost in terms of money or functionality.
Bio-One of Chula Vista specialists have assisted victims and victims’ families when hoarding situations have gotten out of control. The reality is, hoarding poses multiple physical and biohazard risks that must be approached in a timely manner, with the sensitivity that entails helping someone overcome a life-threatening scenario, and the importance of the willingness to overcome them.
Why do people hoard?
There are multiple risk factors for someone to develop a hoarding disorder, and now being recognized as a mental health disorder has allowed mental health professionals a better understanding of why do people might develop a hoarding disorder. Risk factors include:
Additionally, people may turn to hoarding as an escape, as a way to protect themselves. Isolation from friends and family is usual, as hoarding is often seen as an embarrassing, shameful situation. For Bio-One of Chula Vista, helping is our main priority. Hoarding disorder must be treated with deep compassion and understanding of each reality.
Bio-One of Chula Vista can help you
Hoarding represents multiple health risks for victims and anyone involved in trying to help overcome the situation. There is usually clutter, decomposed food, and occasionally, human/animal waste, which may result in biohazards and safety threats. Bio-One of Chula Vista specialists are trained to tackle hoarding situations and restore properties to their original condition, a safe environment with a new perspective for people. There is a positive outlook for people struggling with hoarding, and we are here to help you.
Locally owned, Bio-One of Chula Vista proudly serves the following San Diego County cities: Chula Vista, San Diego, National City, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside, Coronado, La Mesa, Imperial Beach, Bonita, Alpine, and surrounding communities. We are also proud members of the National City Chamber of Commerce and an approved HomeAdvisor company.
We offer free estimates for our services, and we are available 24/7! Give us a call at 619-892-1744.
Oct 26, 2021
Hoarding situations can be emotionally taxing for the victims and families involved. People struggling with hoarding are usually incapable of dealing with these situations on their own, and that’s where Bio-One of Chula Vista specialists come in to help not only the victims but the victim’s families. Hoarding is rooted in a deeper problem than just compulsive buying. Many people struggling with hoarding are also dealing with mental health conditions that need to be addressed in order for people to gain control over their lives.
Bio-One of Chula Vista’s certified technicians are trained to guide you in each step of the recovering process. Your safety is our main priority at all times, and we want to make sure everyone feels comfortable as we take care of cleaning and sanitizing the house or property.
Hoarding disorder may be triggered by a traumatic life event
People struggling with hoarding tend to add an emotional value to their belongings. People will keep anything from books and photographs to clothing and things that don’t seem to have a functional value in their lives.
Losing a loved one, losing a job, ending a relationship… These are all difficult situations that, if not channeled well, can lead to not only hoarding but other mental health conditions.
It’s ok to feel bad, and it’s ok to ask for help if you need it. Bio-One of Chula Vista can help you get the necessary help to overcome these challenging situations.
While hoarding affects the elderly, early symptoms may develop in teenagers
According to Psychiatry’s article about hoarding, the disorder affects mostly people over 60 years old who have also been diagnosed with other mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. It’s important to point out that early symptoms may develop in teenagers who experience trauma and stress, and these symptoms tend to increase as they get older.
People struggling with hoarding also tend to live by themselves. Isolation from family and friends is common, especially if the situation has gotten out of control. Hoarding is perceived by many as an embarrassing condition, which makes it more difficult for people to seek help and for the victims of the families to learn about the problem.
Hoarding might be associated with other mental health conditions
Often, people struggling with hoarding disorder also struggle with depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The diagnosis from professionals plays a fundamental part in understanding hoarding and how to provide support for the victims.
Bio-One of Chula Vista works closely with victim advocate groups, hoarding task forces, and non-profit organizations that can assist families and victims in the face of a hoarding situation. Our job is to make sure you return to a safe environment, with a fresh perspective and outlook on life. Our ultimate goal is to help you get your life back.
Bio-One of Chula Vista can help you
If you think someone you love might be struggling with hoarding, Bio-One of Chula Vista specialists can help you. We have a group of certified technicians willing to help you in your greatest moment of need.
Locally owned, Bio-One of Chula Vista proudly serves the following San Diego County cities: Chula Vista, San Diego, National City, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside, Coronado, La Mesa, Imperial Beach, Bonita, Alpine, and surrounding communities. We are also proud members of the National City Chamber of Commerce and an approved HomeAdvisor company.
We offer free estimates for our services, and we are available 24/7! Give us a call at 619-892-1744.
Oct 15, 2021
Animal hoarding is a delicate issue that involves three main concerns: mental health, animal welfare, and public safety. Usually, when these situations go public (you see them on the news, you find out your neighbor is an animal hoarder) it’s very easy to focus on animal welfare. And it’s not wrong: animals are just victims of the circumstances and poor decisions.
We can’t, however, diminish the issue that is mental health, as it’s probably the main reason that victims got in that particular situation in the first place. When a person becomes an animal hoarder, they’re usually facing a mental health battle that also needs to be looked upon with care and compassion.
Bio-One of Chula Vista has helped families and victims of hoarding throughout San Diego County and surrounding communities. Tackling these situations requires a dedicated team: caring, compassionate, discreet, and utterly professional. Animal hoarding scenarios are no less challenging. It’s all about keeping a mindset of helping everyone overcome the odds and the difficulties in a timely manner.
What is animal hoarding?
Animal hoarding is very similar to a regular hoarding situation in the sense that people acquire more things than they can handle, creating a hostile, dangerous environment for themselves and the people (animals) around them. Animal hoarding is a little different, though. A person struggling with animal hoarding houses more animals than what they’re able without providing minimum levels of nutrition, sanitation, and shelter.
A person struggling with animal hoarding is usually not aware of how many animals are actually on the property, and they might hoard dogs, cats, birds, etc.
Why do people turn to animal hoarding?
There’s not a factual reason for people to turn to animals in hoarding situations. As of today, hoarding is recognized as a mental health disorder, and this has allowed medical professionals to treat it with the proper therapy to ensure that the victims understand their behavior and follow the right steps to avoid relapsing to that condition.
Some reasons for animal hoarding, based on first-hand experience in these situations include emotional dependency, paranoia, anxiety, depression, and more. Notice that these reasons are basically a struggle with other mental health conditions. People can turn to animal hoarding as a way to cope with traumatic life events like the loss of a loved one, a separation, losing a job, etc.
How to identify animal hoarding situations
Bio-One of Chula Vista can help you
If you think someone you love might be struggling with animal hoarding, Bio-One of Chula Vista specialists can help you. Our technicians are trained to be mindful and caring, and we are prepared to tackle these scenarios in a private, respectful manner for you and your loved ones.
Locally owned, Bio-One of Chula Vista proudly serves the following San Diego County cities: Chula Vista, San Diego, National City, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside, Coronado, La Mesa, Imperial Beach, Bonita, Alpine, and surrounding communities.
We offer free estimates for our services, and we are available 24/7! Give us a call at 619-892-1744.
Sep 24, 2021
Tragedies and traumatic events can be challenging, not only for the emotional stress that comes along with having to deal with the loss of a loved one but also because of the multiple health risks that surround these scenarios.
Biohazards are, in simple words, biological materials that represent a health risk for humans, animals, and other living creatures. They are present in scenes where blood and other waste like mold, human/animal waste, bodily fluids, and even industrial chemicals are involved. Biohazards must be cleaned by professionals in a timely manner. Bio-One of Chula Vista is a certified biohazard cleanup specialist.
Biohazard cleanup is different than any other cleanup. It requires certification, special training, and most importantly, a caring, compassionate approach to make sure that these situations are taken care of in the most efficient way.
Now, what is considered a biohazard, and when should you call Bio-One of Chula Vista’s Biohazard cleanup specialists?
-Biohazards from Crime and trauma scenes: Crime scenes, homicide, and other traumatic events carry multiple biohazards. Often, there are bloodborne pathogens that must be cleaned immediately after the police and law enforcement agencies have completed an investigation and have left the scene. Bio-One of Chula Vista specialists are available 24/7 - 365 days a year to take care of cleaning these situations with the utmost care, compassion, and privacy for the victims. Our certified technicians adhere to strict regulations and procedures to make sure all scenes return to a pre-incident state.
-Biohazards from suicide and undiscovered death scenes: The loss of a loved one is difficult, especially if it was under traumatic circumstances. Attempting to clean the house or the scene from a suicide event or decomposition/undiscovered death can be traumatic and overwhelming, not to mention that it’s very dangerous. Leave Bio-One of Chula Vista certified technicians to take care of you and your loved ones. Our technicians are caring, mindful, and understanding of these challenging situations, and our goal is to get you to safety and take away the pain of having to do the cleanup by yourself.
-Biohazards from Hoarding and homeless encampment scenes: Bio-One of Chula Vista specialists work with local law enforcement, public service agencies, and organizations to remediate hoarding and homeless encampment scenarios. These are especially delicate situations to tackle, as you might find multiple biohazards like decomposed material/food, human and animal waste, needles, and other residues that can be harmful. Our specialists follow strict OSHA guidelines and procedures to make sure these scenes are properly cleaned and disinfected.
-Biohazards from mold, foul odors, and sewage backups: Don’t ever expose yourself or your loved ones to these scenarios. Mold is the cause of several respiratory diseases and syndromes, due to the airborne pathogens that are present in the air of highly contaminated scenes. The same goes for sewage backups, as the strong odors can affect your health in many ways. Bio-One of Chula Vista specialists’ work entails a thorough revision of the house or property to contain and remove any biohazards from the scene, making sure the place is safe for the owners to return.
Bio-One of Chula Vista can help you
If you ever need help with biohazard cleanup, let Bio-One of Chula vista help you. We understand that these situations are tough, so we always want to make sure you are comfortable, safe, and free from all the emotional stress and health risks that come along with having to deal with these scenarios by yourself.
Locally owned, Bio-One of Chula Vista is a member of the National City Chamber of Commerce, and proudly serves the following San Diego County cities: Chula Vista, San Diego, National City, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside, Coronado, La Mesa, Imperial Beach, Bonita, Alpine, and surrounding communities.
We offer Free Estimates for our services, and we are available 24/7! Give us a call at 619-892-1744.
Sep 10, 2021
Many people feel scared to even bring up the word “hoarding”, as they might feel identified with the common signs and symptoms that diagnose this condition. The reality is: not everyone who collects specific items, or struggles with maintaining an organized living space, is necessarily a hoarder.
There are key elements that can help identify whether a person is struggling with hoarding disorder, or if it’s showing early signs that could be addressed to avoid a severe condition. Hoarding scenarios are often dangerous and hazardous, as the amount of clutter and trash has taken over the daily living spaces and it’s impossible to get the easiest things like cooking, cleaning, bathing, or even sleeping done.
Bio-One of Chula Vista specialists have had the opportunity of helping many families and property owners when the process of discarding things gets overwhelming. Serving San Diego County and surrounding communities, we understand that it might be scary to ask for help and feel judged. Bio-One is a small family that will help you get through these difficulties, you don’t have to fight alone.
IDENTIFYING A HOARDING SCENARIO
According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), the common symptoms and behavior of a person struggling with hoarding disorder include:
-The inability to throw away possessions - The thought of letting go of items like newspapers, magazines, clothing, and other elements that don’t seem to have a major purpose in their life, can cause anxiety and stress. An individual struggling with hoarding disorder has a different perception of these items, the value is not related to how much they cost but how emotionally important are for them.
-Severe anxiety when attempting to discard items - Even if they don’t admit to having a problem, you can identify if a person is struggling with hoarding when you ask them about discarding random items in their possession. If they react abruptly to this request, they shut themselves or become aggressive, you could say the individual is struggling with hoarding.
-Difficulty organizing or categorizing possessions - This is an important sign that helps identify if a person is struggling with hoarding disorder. A person who collects items is usually proud to display these possessions. They’re a reward for his efforts. It’s different for someone struggling with hoarding. They usually isolate themselves from others to avoid feeling ashamed or embarrassed about the mess in their house or property.
-Functional impairments - An individual struggling with hoarding is in a constant fight to get the easiest things done. Their quality of life is severely affected by the clutter and trash. Furthermore, studies show that hoarding affects people over 60 years of age, and people struggling with other mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and OCD. These data and these symptoms make up for a very dangerous living environment.
You can read more about the signs of hoarding + the difference between hoarding and collecting by visiting ADAA’s Hoarding - The Basics article here.
In the face of a hoarding situation, Bio-One of Chula Vista has one clear goal in mind: getting the help that the person deserves. Many times, as we mentioned, people might be struggling with other mental health conditions.
Bio-One works closely with Law Enforcement, Public Service Agencies, Victim advocates, and other organizations that can assist the individual in getting their life back on track.
We also strive to make the house or property a safe place for them to return. We’ll take care of any potentially hazardous situations that can put their lives at risk.
Locally owned, Bio-One of Chula Vista proudly serves the following San Diego County cities: Chula Vista, San Diego, National City, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside, Coronado, La Mesa, Imperial Beach, Bonita, Alpine, and surrounding communities.
We offer Free Estimates for our services, and we are available 24/7! Give us a call at 619-892-1744.
Sep 01, 2021
Rodents can become a serious problem for your house or property if not treated by professionals. During wintertime, they seek protection from cold in dark places. Rodents can reproduce very quickly, creating a dangerous environment for you and your loved ones.
Rodents can transmit over 35 different types of diseases, and the most common is the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (also known as HPS). It’s a very dangerous disease that can be transmitted directly (from bite wounds and direct contact with urine and feces) or indirectly (by breathing contaminated air and dust). Residential properties are most affected by mice and rats. Rodent feces and droppings are known to be very infectious so, it’s important to turn to a professional in disinfection and sanitation to remediate areas where rodents might have been present.
Rodents carry bacteria and diseases that can transmit to humans from direct contact or indirectly, by being in the presence of highly infected areas. Rodents usually look for shelter indoors, primarily in dark areas like crawlspaces, garages, and attics. Cluttered spaces create a perfect environment for mice and rats to create nests. Bio-One of Chula Vista specialists follow strict guidelines and procedures to remediate houses and properties if they’re involved in hoarding scenarios.
If by any chance you chose to take care of rodents by yourself and need help with cleaning and disinfecting your house or property from dead mice and rats, Bio-One of Chula Vista can also provide you with professional, guaranteed disinfection and sanitation. Dead animals can carry multiple bacteria, which is usually airborne. So, mice and rats died in crawl spaces or inside your HVAC System, you might need help from Professionals to get to these areas and remove any biohazard.
HOW CAN RODENTS COME TO YOUR HOUSE OR PROPERTY?
Filling gaps and entryways is the best way to prevent rodents from coming to your house or property. Rodents can squeeze through the smallest spaces, whether it’s through doors, windows or even small cracks on the floor.
According to the CDC, you can look for gaps or holes outside your property in the following spaces:
-Around windows and doors.
-In the roof (gables, rasters and eaves).
-In the building foundations (this is a specially delicate area for rodents and other plagues to nest)
-Attic vents.
-HVAC systems (if rodents have been in these areas, you might be struggling with infections and other afflictions associated with rodents' feces and urine).
You can read the whole informative article by clicking here.
BIO-ONE OF CHULA VISTA CAN HELP YOU
If you need help with disinfecting and sanitizing your house or property from rodents and other household pests, let Bio-One of Chula Vista specialists help you.
Our technicians will thoroughly look through the areas where rodents might have been present and caused damage. We will also make sure to discard any items that might represent a biohazard for everyone in the house, including pets.
Locally owned, Bio-One of Chula Vista proudly serves the following San Diego County cities: Chula Vista, San Diego, National City, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside, Coronado, La Mesa, Imperial Beach, Bonita, Alpine, and surrounding communities.
We offer Free Estimates for our services, and we are available 24/7! Give us a call at 619-892-1744.
Aug 24, 2021
Hoarding is a delicate condition that must be approached with care and compassion. People struggling with hoarding disorder are in a constant battle between their possessions and the compulsive need to buy, collect and save items, regardless of their economic value.
People struggling with hoarding disorder usually face a diminished quality of life, due to the clutter and accumulation of possessions. These possessions get in the way of performing normal, routine activities like using the kitchen, sitting on the couch in the living room, or even going to the bathroom.
Bio-One of Chula Vista specialists have assisted numerous families and customers struggling with hoarding disorder, as the house or property of the individual can turn into a hazardous environment. These are the most commons signs and facts about hoarding disorder. Identifying these signs is useful to anyone who might be struggling with hoarding, directly (the affected individual) or indirectly (family and community members).
Basic Facts about Hoarding Disorder
-Hoarding affects an estimated 2 to 6% of the U.S. population - Some researches indicate that it’s also more common in males than females. Also, individuals usually live alone, and the elderly are more likely to struggle with hoarding disorders.
-Hoarding is not the same as collecting - A person who collects (baseball cards, coins, art, magazines) is usually proud to showcase these items, as it might represent hours and research time to put a “collection” together. A person struggling with hoarding is usually embarrassed by their situation and they’re likely to isolate themselves from family and friends.
-Hoarding can lead to dangerous living conditions - People struggling with hoarding disorder accumulate things without being conscious of the dangers that come with this compulsive behavior. Houses and properties usually show signs of deterioration, due to the clutter and waste.
-People struggling with hoarding disorder will save all kinds of things - For someone struggling with hoarding disorder, items have a different meaning. Things have a strong emotional value and it has nothing to do with the item itself. Hoarders can save magazines, newspapers, books, food, home appliances, household items, clothing, even animals.
-While the cause of hoarding is unknown, several risk factors can help identify it - Medical experts have said that hoarding disorder can be triggered by a traumatic life event; or by a history of mental illness such as depression, anxiety, and OCD. Anyone is capable of developing a hoarding disorder.
What is the Outlook for someone struggling with Hoarding?
Hoarding disorders must be treated by a doctor. Hoarding is a condition that can be controlled and treated in a way that the individual will be able to live a normal, functioning life. Individuals learn to manage their possessions and the right treatment can reduce the need for saving and accumulating things.
People struggling with hoarding can turn their life around, but they need help and support to overcome this situation.
Bio-One of Chula Vista specialists are caring, understanding, and have a desire to help people with these difficult and, sometimes, overwhelming situations. Our goal is to help individuals get their life back on track and turn their house or property into a safe, hazard-free environment.
Bio-One also works closely with the homeowner or their loved ones to make sure everyone is comfortable during the remediation process.
Locally owned, Bio-One of Chula Vista proudly serves the following San Diego County cities: Chula Vista, San Diego, National City, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside, Coronado, La Mesa, Imperial Beach, Bonita, Alpine, and surrounding communities.
We offer Free Estimates for our services, and we are available 24/7! Give us a call at 619-892-1744.
Bio-One teams across the U.S. answer calls to help their communities and remediate a variety of scenes. In our new blog series, we'd like to bring you into the Bio-One world by sharing stories of the unique and important work we do for local communities.
Here is Week 5 of our Bio-One Weekly Wrap-Up.
Chocolate Spill Makes for a Sweet Cleanup
In Scranton on March 25, Juan and Nicole Morales received a call for a "chocolate" cleanup. Assuming this was code for a sewage back-up, they rushed to scene to find a different situation entirely. Approximately 100 gallons of milk chocolate had spilled, covering asphalt outside a local business.
This is certainly the sweetest smelling job a Bio-One office has ever taken, but Nicole clarified, "That smell was nice for the first few minutes but at the end I felt sick. Good thing we had an awesome team that pushed through and got this done!"
After scraping the chocolate with a forklift and pressure washing the area, the Bio-One team received a five-star review. Well done!
Behind the Scenes with Citizen's Academy
Many Bio-One owners sign up for their local Citizen's Police Academy to acquaint themselves with the activities of their local police department. This week, Bio-One owner, Ginger Akemon, in Jacksonville, FL earned her Citizen's Police Academy certificate from the Clay County Sheriff's Office.
"Definitely a learning process. Each County has their own, my goal is to go to each county's classes. This was 10 weeks long and over an hour drive each way, but well worth it, " said Ginger.
Hoarding Transformation in Long Beach
In Long Beach, the Bio-One team has been working hard on several hoarding projects. These before and after pictures show the detail and expertise our teams bring to each job.
Have you ever seen hoarding shows on TV? Our team has first-hand experience remediating these situations with care and compassion. From clutter, trash, to animal hoarding, we understand that the removal of items can be stressful and sometimes overwhelming for families involved. Bio-One will make it a priority to establish trust to ensure everyone is comfortable and ready for each day to begin.
It's as simple as 1, 2, 3.
First, we always offer estimates at no cost to you. An experienced crew leader will tour the home and propose a plan based on your needs, expectations, and goals.
Second, our certified technicians are trained to be mindful of all possessions. We make it a priority to find and save items of value whether that's a wallet, coin collections, legal documents, photo albums, or baseball cards.
Third, we want to make sure you are 100% satisfied and happy with our work. If for some reason something else needs to be done, we are here for you.
Call Bio-One today to learn how we can help.
Bio-One teams across the U.S. answer calls to help their communities and remediate a variety of scenes. In our new blog series, we'd like to bring you into the Bio-One world by sharing stories of the unique and important work we do for local communities.
Here is Week 4 of our Bio-One Weekly Wrap-Up.
New Start for New Haven Veteran
In New Haven County, Bio-One and Junkluggers answered the call to help a veteran and his disabled wife. The couple were overwhelmed with a hoarded home and much of their furniture would need to be disposed due to biohazardous conditions. With Bio-One's Help First, Business Second motto in mind, Bio-One owner, Matthew Hill, teamed up with Junkluggers to re-furnish the home with gently used furniture at no cost to the client.
“Anytime we can give a little more to our clients, we always seize the opportunity,” said Hill. “Junkluggers has been an awesome organization with a great mission that fits nicely into what we are trying to accomplish.”
#HelpFirst for Heart-Breaking Scene
In South Carolina, Bio-One owner, Kris Elliott, was called to disinfect and clean a heart-breaking trauma scene. After hearing the family's story, he generously decided not to request payment for his services and shared their GoFundMe page on Facebook. As of March 20, Bio-One offices in North Carolina and South Carolina have contributed just under half of the total donations. This is #helpfirst at it's finest.
If you'd like to learn more about the family and donate, please visit their GoFundMe page.
Poker Run Supports Law Enforcement
Supporting local law enforcement is a 24/7 activity at Bio-One! In Tuscon, AZ, the Bio-One team participated in the South Arizona Law Enforcement Foundation (SALEF) poker run. SALEF collaborates with law enforcement to understand their greatest needs, and work with businesses in the community to raise money by presenting community events and submitting for grants.
Looks like they were gifted a beautiful day for cards, corn hole, and backing the blue.
