KHAS Weather

Overcast

Pressure : 29.87 in

Dewpoint : 63.0 °

Wind : Southeast

11.5 mph

More Weather

Bed bug problems show increase in Nebraska

Tools

Email this article
Print this article
YouNews™
Share
- Delicious
- Digg
- LinkedIn
- MySpace
- Newsvine
- Reddit
- StumbleUpon
- Tweet

by Dara Newson

Story Created: Feb 5, 2013 at 5:57 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 5, 2013 at 9:52 PM CDT

It's the last thing you'll want to find inside your home, in your bed and on your skin. Bed bugs are creeping their way from city to city. Nebraska stats show the problem is increasing compared to 2012.

There are several factors that play a part in the bed bug infestation.
One of the reasons is the high travel society we live in. As travelers explore... bed bugs are finding ways to move right along.

They're reddish brown, six-legged creatures that come out during the night searching for a warm body.

"Everybody travels everywhere and so if a bed bug infestation was in another town you get those little hitch hikers that move on the suitcase and then they move around," said Elizabeth Killinger.

Elizabeth Killinger, UNL Extension Educator for Hall County has received increased calls of bed bug problems.

"If someone has a high infestation rate in their apartment bed bugs can move to the apartment next door and go through the walls," Killinger said.

Statistics released show the Hastings, Grand Island, Kearney and Lincoln area ranked 41st in the nation for bed bug infestations up seven spots compared to last year. Omaha came in at 17.

A full size bed adult bug can get as large as 3/8 to a 1/4 of an inch.

Whether in hotels or dorms, the little blood feeding parasites thrive in high density areas. They end up on suitcases, clothing or boxes.

"It's not an indication of income or cleanliness or anything along those lines," Killinger said.

As the evasion increases the bugs are harder to eradicate.

"They're becoming a little bit more resistant to some of the popular products that were normally used on them," said Killinger.

And, the problem is expected to get worse before it gets better.

The best way to get rid of bed bugs is through calling your local pest control company. I spoke with Carey's Pest Control here in Hastings, the owner tells me zipper mattress covers are a good way to help keep bed bugs out.