Here's a subject that might make your skin crawl: bed bugs. After years of decline, bed bugs are now a growing problem in metro Vancouver.
They are tiny parasites that come out at night, attracted to heat and CO-2. Their main target is humans and they can leave nasty bites. One woman interviewed by CTV got hundreds of itchy bites on her legs after staying in a hostel in Australia. But it's not just a problem for travelers, pest control companies say they're seeing more infestations in private homes. Robb Quinn of Orkin PCO Pest Control recommends getting down and checking the seams of your mattress.
Getting rid of bed bugs may involve chemicals or steam treatments. The cost ranges from several hundred dollars to over a thousand. It's important to note that bed bugs are not considered a health problem --just a nuisance.
There are a number of factors contributing to the increase. Travel as I mentioned is one --another is the ban on certain chemicals which helped control numbers -and a final one might be our growing desire to recycle and re-use old furniture. A dresser or table picked up a garage sale won't seem like such a bargain if you end up with a bed bug infestation ---so be aware.
The Health Authorityoffers a guide to bed bug control.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen
