Bed Bugs found in Columbia hotel

The Boone County Health Department found bed bugs in America’s Best Value Inn hotel off I-70 Drive.

Andrea Waner with the Health Department said they received a complaint about the bugs Monday.

Waner said, “Today, they found the presence of bugs in one room and the evidence of them in another.”

There were five rooms total needing to be inspected, but two of the rooms were occupied by long term guests.

Waner said the hotel called pest control to have the rooms treated already.

Once they are treated the health department will come back and re-inspect the infested rooms.

Waner explained why bed bugs may be more common.

“Travel has actually increased the amount of bed bugs you see in certain places.”

She said things like luggage, clothing and pillows are the most common items that transfer bed bugs.

Waner also said bed bug bites are like mosquito bites.

The EPA said another reason for increased bed bug sightings are due to increased resistance to pesticides.

There is currently no data regarding the bugs transferring diseases to humans.