Bed bugs are one of the most menacing and hard to kill insects that exist, and it is clear to everyone that their populations are increasing rapidly. When considering the modern bed bug epidemic, it becomes clear that certain locations stand a greater chance of becoming infested with the insects than other types of locations. This is in spite of the fact that pest experts claim that bed bugs can infest any location no matter the conditions. For example, bed bug infestations are common within hotels. Of course, this does not come as a surprise, as hotels see numerous guests from areas all over the world; and any one of these guests can easily, and unknowingly, transport bed bugs into hotels and motels. However, bed bug infestation rates seem to be increasing within public housing facilities as well. Perhaps the media reports on bed bug infestations that occur in public housing facilities more often than they report on bed bug infestations that occur within other locations. In any case, many people believe that the government is neglecting bed bug treatments within public housing complexes. The most recent example comes from Charlotte, North Carolina. A public housing resident in the city has been enduring a bed bug infestation within his living space for years, and government employees do not seem motivated to hire pest control professionals to end the bed bug crisis. The bed bugs in this man’s apartment are so numerous, that he has taken to spraying his skin with poisonous insect-killer in order to experience a few moments of relief from their incessant biting.

Kobie Emanuel is a fifty three year old man on disability due to an autoimmune disease that makes him vulnerable to even mild forms of infection. It is for this reason that Emanuel’s doctor claimed that his bed bug-infested public housing unit is killing him. Although it is true that bed bugs do not spread disease, their bites can, nevertheless, lead to serious medical issues for people who have compromised immune systems. The excessive itching that results from bed bug bites can break skin, which can cause secondary skin infections.

Emanuel was forced to quit working four years ago after his declining health made walking a major challenge. Now, Emanuel can barely afford to live within his government-run housing facility. He, and a few other residents have complained to the state housing authority about the bed bug presence, but no action has been taken to eradicate the insect pests; instead, representatives with the housing authority claim that no evidence of bed bug activity has been found within the public housing complex. Sadly, spraying Raid on his skin is the only thing Emanuel can do to prevent bed bug bites within his living space.

Do you think that the bed bug epidemic that is affecting public housing complexes in America will continue to worsen in the years to come?