A Pesky Problem: Bed Bugs

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ohio -- There's concern and confusion among families in Franklin County over a growing problem: bed bugs.

NBC 4's Mikaela Hunt got the FAST FACTS.

The Franklin County Board of Health said it's heard from Whitehall City Schools and South-Western City Schools about bed bugs.

SWCS told NBC 4 it did not have a student with a bed-bug problem but a family inquiring about the bugs and whether the district had a policy. It does not.

SWCS and other districts were waiting to see what the Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force recommended. Should there be bed-bug policies similar to head-lice policies in local school districts? The taskforce, consisting of rental housing, social services, schools and fire departments met Wednesday afternoon.

Apartments and hotels actually experience the greater problem. 

The FCBH said six apartment complexes recently were under orders to be exterminated after a problem showed up with the bugs. The apartment complexes told NBC 4 that their facilities are now clean.

The general concensus was the bugs are resistant to a lot of pesticides and are more prevalent now with parts of our society being transient.

In the meantime, prevent the bugs from taking over your house with these tips from Protect-A-Bed:
1. Inspect secondhand furniture thoroughly before bringing it home. Avoid picking up abandoned furniture in the street.
2. When traveling, inspect sofas and mattresses at hotels for black spotting on the corners of mattresses.
3. When you get home, immediately hot launder all clothing and inspect luggage.
4. Encase mattresses and box springs with a bed-bug-proof bedding encasement. This is not the same thing as a mattress pad.
5. Wash bed linens once a week in hot water.
6. Vacuum floors regularly.

Hunt will offer a detailed report this evening on NBC 4 and nbc4i.com.

Stay tuned to NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for more information on this developing story.

To send a news tip or submit a story idea, e-mail .

MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video