While the struggling Mets and Knicks make few headlines, bedbugs are making headlines again in New York City.

New York had reported 377 infestations in 2004, compared to just 2 in 2002 and 16 in 2003. Whether this is due to better reporting or a significantly higher number of cases is anyone’s guess, but it’s thought to be a bit of both. . Cases have risen across the United States, but it is New York that shows the most worrying trend.

And it’s not just the less prosperous areas. Hordes of bed bugs were found in duplex apartments on Park Avenue, and those who lived in a Riverside Drive co-op were forced to spend $20,000 to eliminate these bugs. Entomologists have identified the resurgence of bed bugs as a major concern being attributed to the increasing number of immigrant settlers arriving from third world countries, as well as increased travel activities and the use of less effective insecticides.

New mattresses purchased at department stores may also have become infected with other things found near the new mattress. Since companies agree to remove old beds and sofas when customers buy new ones, bed bug transfer is likely to occur.

Once they have entered a home, bed bugs can attach themselves to clothing and this can result in transfer to neighboring apartments. Anyone staying in any hotel is more likely to bring bed bugs home. Some of the most popular and notable US/New York hotels have even been reported to have infestations. In addition to this, bed bugs have also been found in private schools, in hospital maternity wards, and in the waiting rooms of a downtown New York hospital.

So who is the enemy?

Bed bugs (scientifically named Cimex lectularius) do not have wings unlike many other insects. They are brown in color and measure up to a quarter of an inch. Bed bugs are nocturnal parasites and are rarely active during the day. They are active when near human hosts, but only come out at night. Because of this, most people will only discover them once their population increases to many hundreds or even thousands.

Although human blood is their favorite food, bed bugs also feed on the blood of cats, dogs, birds, or other mammals. Bed bugs have highly developed mouthparts that they use to bite into skin and suck blood. They normally only attack people when they are asleep.

Bed bugs will eat for as long as they have available. They will eat slowly and gorge on human blood for a few minutes. They expand up to three times their normal size once they fill with blood. But, due to the way they consume blood, humans usually don’t notice.

Bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, and their bites only produce small red welts that dermatologists sometimes mistakenly identify as scabies or hives. An adult bed bug can live up to a year and a single female can lay up to 500 eggs.

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Increasingly, insecticides purchased at local hardware stores are becoming ineffective in fighting bed bugs. They are becoming increasingly hardy and resistant to insecticides over the years. It has also been found that using roach bombs only disperses them to different areas.

Pest control groups in the US and also in New York now advise people with bed bug infestations to wash and bag every piece of clothing in all infested rooms as part of any pre-extermination procedure. Any clothing or bedding that has been severely infested should always be discarded, as they cannot be safely sprayed with insecticides. Clutter should be cleaned up ahead of time, as spaces cluttered with belongings will only delay the inspection and treatment process.

Also, bed frames, cabinets, and dresser drawers may need to be cleaned as various chemicals will be used in the treatment and will need them to reach every nook and cranny.

Despite the various ways to combat bed bugs, people must accept the fact that they have returned and will continue to be in the Big Apple.