Central Idaho battles bed bugs

KETCHUM, Idaho – An increasing number of central Idaho residents are requesting help getting rid of bed bug infestations, pest exterminators in the region say.

Todd Nelson of Bedbug Thermal Solutions in Hailey said he’s getting a couple of calls a day from residents wanting relief from the tiny reddish-brown insects that feed off human and animal blood, their bites often leaving red welts.

He said the large number of visitors drawn to the vacation region that includes Sun Valley and Ketchum made it inevitable that bed bugs would eventually arrive.

“It was only a matter of time until they came here,” said Nelson. “We’re going to get them worse than we have them now.”

Bed bugs have been on the rebound in recent years, taking root in college dorms, hospitals, hotels and homes. The bugs live in the crevices and folds of mattresses, sofas and sheets.

Entomologists say the pests are appearing on a scale not seen since before World War II.