According to some local exterminators, bedbugs are no longer just a problem at the national level.

"We are having cases of bedbugs and we do have them in Acadiana," said Hilton Richard, a pest supervisor at Lafayette's J & J Exterminating.

Richard says he's seen a lot of pests in his 15 year career at J & J, but when it comes to bedbugs, he's never seen anything like the past few months. The company now fields on average between three and four calls everyday for bedbugs, and offers services to get rid of them.

"It's basically a bug that travels; you get it overseas, you can bring it through luggage, hotel rooms, that's basically what happens," said Richard.

From fixing a bedbug problem to preventing it, there are ways to protect yourself and your home. At Mattress Direct "Protect-a-Bed" products are becoming more popular. They're essentially sleeves that zip around mattresses and pillows to inhibit bedbugs.

"People are seeing it, so once we explain to them exactly how it works and exactly how it protects their mattress, they're referring people here and we're starting to get people to come in here just for that reason," said Patrick Sonnier with Mattress Direct.

Extermination and prevention; two such ways, available in Acadiana to help you follow that old addage and not let the bedbugs bite.

Jim Hummel

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