Bed Bugs Crawling All Over Anchorage

ANCHORAGE - Bed bugs keep Ken Perry busy.

"From August to May, I handle 2 to 5 calls a day from around the state," said Perry, the general manager for Pied Piper Pest Control.

Since the beginning of the year the company's responded to more than 100 calls about infestations.

"Some infestations we go into, they're so bad they're climbing on the walls. You walk in and there's bed bugs all over the walls and you know they have a very serious problem," said Perry.

One tenant in the Park View complex on Ninth and Karluk says she's had an issue with bed bugs and worries about them coming back.

"I'm always concerned especially when people have them real bad and they come into your house because they cling to clothing because you have to wash all your clothing and everything down in your apartment," said Barbara Guthrie.

Property managers say there's an isolated incident at that complex with bed bugs in three units right next to each other. They say they're working with tenants to address the problem.

Managers say it's up to tenants to report bed bugs, but the property management company will pay for the exterminator. Tenants are responsible for stripping their beds and washing their clothes, but managers say they get free laundry to help.

Exterminators say bed bugs aren't just an issue in Anchorage.

"The problem has spread so badly and it's mostly among the people who can't afford anything. I'm also getting a lot of calls from the Bush. People who've come to Anchorage and stayed in hotels that had problems and now they've got bed bugs in their little communities. They can't afford to have an expert go out and service it."

Exterminators say there are a few things you can do to prevent bed bugs. Protect your luggage if you go on vacation by covering it with plastic bags and make sure to bug-proof your home as much as you can by using protective plastic covers on your box spring.