Kells says, "Initially in the infestation across North America a lot
of the issues were in hotels. But we're now finding them getting into
low income housing." International travel may be one reason bed bugs are spreading, but
experts say they're also becoming resistant to many insecticides.
They're tough and expensive to get rid of. That's why Kells worries
about outbreaks in low income housing because residents often can't
afford to hire an exterminator.
There is some good news. A new study this week in the Journal of the
American Medical Association (JAMA) says when bit by a bed bug, most
people have little to no reaction and bed bugs don't appear to transmit
human disease.
But Kells says, "Although they don't transmit diseases, they could almost be considered like a disease themselves."
He says because they're tough to get rid of, bed bugs cause a lot of psychological stress.
He says, "We've had people who have become very sleepless or wake up regularly to see if they have bedbugs feeding on them."
Kells has been working with Adams Pest Control and other companies to
find better ways to get rid of bed bugs. Adams just installed a heat
chamber at its Hamel office to treat infested mattresses and furniture.
The items are placed in the chamber and then heated to 120 degrees for
at least 2 hours.
Company president Todd Leyse says the bed bugs, "Basically dehydrate and almost become like a piece of confetti.
They just become so light they just kind of fall off." Adams
technicians can also deliver that kind of heat to a home with a portable
heat delivery system.
They still can use insecticides as well but it usually takes longer to get rid of the bed bugs.
Leyse says, "We have two people who are pretty much doing bed bug jobs every day of the week."
He says his company has removed bedbugs from hotels, apartments, moving companies, even hospital delivery rooms.
Bed bugs have also been found in movie theaters.
And Kells worries they may get into public transportation.
He says getting bed bugs is not a matter of cleanliness.
He says bed bugs don't look for dirt. They are simply looking for warm bodies where they can get a good meal of blood.
Dr. Kells has some prevention advice.
He says whenever you sleep in a strange place, check for bed bugs
hiding along the piping of the mattress and around the headboard too.
Those are places bed bugs like to hide.
He also checks the luggage carts at hotels before he sets his bags on one.
And when he gets home, he isolates his suitcase and then puts his clothes into the washer or a hot dryer. | 
