The issue of Bed Bugs has been an issue for homeowners and rent accommodations for a number of years. 2017 is no exception.

Brad Giesbrecht, Senior Public Health Inspector, for the Cypress Health Region, explain what the first step is if you see that you have Bed Bugs.

Giesbrecht said, "If you are in your own home and you suspect you have bed bugs the process is to contact a professional pest control company. So now if you are renting and suspect that you may have bed bugs then you want to

contact your landlord immediately and arrange to have a pest control company come check things out for you. So just an important item to note at any time when a person is dealing with their landlord or making requests they need to

be doing that in writing and documenting it."

In the 1940's it was thought that Bed Bugs were eradicated but since 1995 they have made a strong come back due to legislated changes in Pesticides that are less effective, pesticide resistance, and more world travel.

Over the counter, pesticides do not work with this insect. Geisbrecht said, "It's similar to the old adage, what doesn't kill them makes them stronger. So spraying bed bugs with household over the counter products. It's not going to be

strong enough to kill them, It's not going to be strong enough to get the eggs or the young. So it's not going to solve the problem.

There is the potential to make them more resistant to these chemicals." He feels that a professional pest control is the best way to effectively and efficiently control the problem.