News

A bill pending before the U.S. House of Representatives would help Americans sleep tight by eliminating bed bugs’ bite.

The Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite Bill, co-sponsored by Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) would establish a matching grant program by the U.S. Commerce Department in consultation by the U.S. Travel and Tourism Board.

“Unfortunately, it’s not a joke,” Butterfield said. “Fifty years after being virtually eliminated, bed bugs are back all across the country.”

The bi-partisan bill, co-sponored by Donald Young (R-Alaska), Donald Payne (D-N.J.), William Jefferson (D-La.) and Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) is a response to America’s bed bug reinfestation. The little critters, which feed on blood and hide in headboards, chairs and couches, can now be found in all 50 states.

According the Orkin Pest Control, the number of bed bugs in the U.S. has increased 50-fold in the last five years. Females can lay up to five eggs a day and 500 during a lifetime.

Federal funds would go to individual states to launch inspection, prevention and eradication programs. To qualify, states would have to require the inspection of at least 20 percent of its hotel rooms. The money would come from funds already allocated to Commerce. Hotels are a prime target because of the risk of transporting bugs to homes.

“It’s becoming a really great concern for travelers,” Butterfield said.

Comments