Panama City - A nuisance that was largely eradicated during World War II is making a come back: Blood sucking bed bugs are turning up all over the country.
Posted: 10:41 AM Feb 24, 2011 - WJHG.COMReporter: Amber Southard
Email Address: amber.southard@wjhg.com
Panama City - A nuisance that was largely eradicated during World War II is making a come back: Blood sucking bed bugs are turning up all over the country.
They’re usually found hiding in bed mattresses. Called Cimicidae, but better known as "bed bugs," the small parasites feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, including humans. And since 1995, they've been spreading across the U.S. at near epidemic levels.
"A person calls once every two months, but it seems like lately I’ve had more calls -- At the end of 2010, the last two or three months of 2010 and January -- more than I’ve ever had," said Epidemiology Specialist Michael Fluharty.
A viewer alerted us to one of the latest reports at Stone Harbor Apartments on Panama City Beach.
Virginia Ballard, her daughter, and 5 year old grandson have lived at stone harbor for five months. She's concerned about reports of bed bugs in neighboring apartments.
"There’s a small child in the house, and I heard that's really serious (the bed bug situation), and I’ve heard that they travel from place to place and they're really hard to get rid of," said Ballard.
Stone Harbor Corporate officials say, "Any residents with a pest concern of any kind are dealt with expeditiously by a licensed pest control contractor."
They say only one apartment had bed bugs and they've handled the problem. The insect's bite causes skin rashes, psychological effects and allergic symptoms.
"It’s not only the bed bug bite itself, but it's us scratching and introducing bacteria that can cause further problems," said Fluharty.
But officials say you can start looking for bed bugs by just lifting your mattress.
"You find little blood stains -- and you can find them on sheets, especially if you have white sheets. It's a good idea if you have white sheets, so you can see what's going on," said Fluharty.
If you spot the signs, call an exterminator. Health officials believe this current increase in bed bug infestations may be due to more people traveling to less developed countries, and more people buying second-hand furniture.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station
by jacob on Feb 26, 2011 at 04:58 PM
I beleive I am the apartment they are talking about. The situation I called about should have been dealt with after the 1st month I moved in. I called riligiously to get them to come out, and when they finally came, they said it was fleas!! So now, I have to move, buy a new mattress, get rid of furniture, and be without an apartment for almost a month. Stone Harbor appearently doesn't care about their residents.
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by Cindy Location: Panama City Beach on Feb 25, 2011 at 02:50 PM
Stone Harbor says they only have ONE apartment with bugs and they have dealt with it? They are attached together like eight apartments in one! they crawl through the walls!! how can they lie like that! the whole place should be gutted!
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by cme123 Location: destin on Feb 24, 2011 at 07:56 PM
contact your local pest control they are who the hotels call to get rid of there bed bugs....it takes several months.if they will even say anything...due to laws of privicy...
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by Debbie Location: Panama City on Feb 24, 2011 at 05:08 PM
Bed bugs were a problem at Kapalua Apartments on Joan Avenue 2 years ago.
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by beach guy on Feb 24, 2011 at 12:12 PM
If they are at stone harbour apts, then they will be spreading to all the condos and hotels the foreign workers work at. Lots of foreigners living at stone harbour apts, you see them walking down the road there all the time. Jeez, 1st oil, now bed bugs, what next?
From: http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/Bed_bugs_spotted_in_Bay_County_116781548.html
