NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Bed bug infestations have spread to NWT communities, although some affected households might not even know it yet.

Duane Fleming, territorial chief environmental health officer, shows an enlarged photo of a bed bug during a press conference alerting people of bed bugs in Yellowknife on Thursday.

The Department of Health and Social Services confirmed Dec. 16 that bed bugs have infested at least three NWT communities, including Yellowknife. Landlords from two apartment buildings in the capital recently reported finding bed bugs, but the NWT's chief environmental health officer said the department is not prepared to say which apartment buildings were infested, only that the outbreaks, which were confined to a single unit in each building, "are being dealt with."

Duane Fleming also wouldn't say which other two communities, besides Yellowknife, had reported discoveries of the blood-sucking insects nor has the department informed those communities of the infestations.

"I don't want to confirm the other cases, in part because any of the communities could have bed bugs. We have no way of knowing for sure," Fleming said, explaining there could be other cases residents haven't reported. The department first became aware of a case of bed bug bites in May and confirmed three infestations at residences within the past three months.

Fleming said as far as he knows, this is the first outbreak of bedbugs in the territory, although recent cases have been widely reported across southern Canada and the United States.

"Undoubtedly somebody brought them as hitchhikers from down south," he said. "We're almost certain of that."

"It's been a growing problem worldwide that has caught up to us as well," he added, saying the recurrence of bed bugs can be partly blamed on decreasing use of DDT and other pesticides.

Bed bugs are brown and flat, about the size of an apple seed, and turn dark red after feeding on blood. They can't fly or jump but can fit in tiny crevices, under mattresses and box springs, and usually come out at night to feed. Their bites usually form itchy welts and can cause allergic reactions, although Fleming said people react to bed bug bites in different ways. Some may not even be able to tell they've been bitten.

"You might not have any reaction at all - you wouldn't even be able to see a bite if you got one. Some people react more than others. If you do react, it's usually a red, swelling welt where the bite is, very similar to a mosquito bite," Fleming said.

Other telltale signs are tiny blood spots or specks of waste on sheets, clusters of eggs or discarded casings of growing bed bugs on mattresses. They can be difficult to get rid of - Health Canada's website recommends calling an exterminator. There is only one in NWT, located in Hay River - or steam cleaning. Fleming said bed bugs can't withstand extreme heat or cold, but their normal lifespan can be up to a year.

The health department has posted information about bed bugs on its website.

"We encourage anybody with bed bugs to contact us just to let us know, that way it will help us monitor what the situation is like," he said.

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