Fresno Seeing Rise In Bloodsucking Bedbugs

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) ― New York travelers creeped-out about an infestation of bedbugs have made national headlines.

Now, Fresno can be added to cities seeing a rise in the bloodsucking pests.

The county Department of Public Health doesn't track bedbug reports. But local pesticide firms tell the Fresno Bee they have seen a surge in bedbug calls and, rather than hotel and motel infestations, the mites are turning up in residential areas.

And getting rid of them isn't cheap: Professionals need to be called in and it costs an average $1,500 to get rid of bedbugs.

Terminix sales representative Clarence Williams says they are seeing new cases each day, compared to two or three cases during an entire year a few years back.

San Joaquin Valley Pest Control's Bret Clay says his Fresno office had 40 bedbug calls last month.

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