NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Bedbug Resurgence Apparent In Nashville Hotels, Apartments

Bedbug Resurgence Apparent In Nashville Hotels, Apartments

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Metro Public health officials said bedbugs are popping up at hotels across the Midstate.

They're also making their way into homes.

Dogs such as chocolate Labrador named Sky are used detect the insects.

Sky's skill is in heavy demand these days because the insects are evidently making a comeback in Middle Tennessee.

They have been spotted in dozens of Nashville hotels and homes.

Travelers beware because they can help transport bedbugs.

"They're going overseas and they're coming home bedbugs in their suitcases," said Chuck Nelson, dog inspectors.

Once they settle into mattresses or sofas, bedbugs are hard to find. They hide, reproduce quickly and bite.

"Anytime you wake up with bug bites all over you it's a horrible feeling, a very uncomfortable feeling," Nelson said.

So homeowners and hotel managers rely on bug finders such as Sky and exterminators that kill the pests by freezing or poisoning them.

"She has a PhD in bed bug location. She sure does," Nelson said about Sky.

The Metro Public Health Department has received 30 complaints of bedbugs at area hotels this year. They received 35 complaints in 2007.

To check if a specific hotel has bedbugs, call the Metro Public Health Department at 615-340-5630.