Bed bug infestation a growing concern

Public health officials are taking a stand against an impending danger in the household—bed bugs. This comes after an increase in the number of reports from stakeholders, which include public health officials, property owners, businesses, and tenants, the previous spring. Officials are now posting public notices lecturing the public on how to prevent and treat bed bug infestations in normal households and accommodation businesses. The now-dreaded bed bug has made its species felt across the entire country, being found in movie theatres, expensive hotels, churches, dormitories, hospitals, and even in posh apparel stores.

The hotel industry in New York is specifically suffering from the bed bug threat, as public fears of infestation has affected most especially expensive hotels in the city. The air of uncertainty has also made itself felt even in the tourist and travel industries, thus the introduction of standing conferences and summits discussing the bed bug problem. Part of the lessons to be learned is that bed bugs are expertly capable of hitchhiking onto luggage, furniture, beds, clothing, and other personal items according to L.A. County Public Health Director Jonathan E. Fielding.

Also characteristic of bed bugs is their ability to hide in materials such as throw pillows, drapes, and even electronic gadgets. Even more frightening is the survivability of the specie’s adults throughout a whole year without nutrition. Thus, the impending increase in travel for the holiday season carries a warning of increased cases of bed bug infestations. The public is advised to call on fumigating services upon suspicion of bed bug activity in their surroundings.