BOISE, Idaho — You may have heard of bed bugs being a problem in big cities like New York, but as Boise grows, it's taking on those big-city problems as well.
In the past six months, Ada County Paramedics have noticed an increase in bed bug calls.
Because of more people traveling to and from Boise, Dina Hardaway, Infection Control Officer for Ada County Paramedics, said that more bed bugs are coming into our area as well.
"There is so much more international travel now; we're getting more populated just within our city and within our county," Hardaway said. "Just with those conditions alone, they are brought into our area."
Due to the uptick in bed bug cases, Ada County Paramedics have spent the past few months learning new protocols, including tracking data on infestations and learning techniques on how to identify and exterminate them from equipment.
Hardaway says that while the bugs aren't a public health crisis-- because they don't spread disease-- they can still be a nuisance.
To prevent the spread of bed bugs, be sure to check the seams of mattresses and underneath base boards. Make sure to wash second hand clothing and clean up used furniture after buying it. If you're traveling, wash all of your clothing and vacuum your suitcase.
If you do end up getting beg bugs, there's no need to call 911-- just be sure to call your local exterminator.
For more information on how to get rid of bed bugs, visit the Environmental Protection Agency's website.
