Bed bug complaints down in Edmonton

Landlords and tenants in Edmonton are making progress in the fight against bed bugs, a public health inspector says.

Sandra Hamilton from Alberta Health Services says complaints about the pests dropped by10 per cent last year.

"We still have a lot of bed bugs, but I think people are learning about them and acting quickly," Hamilton said. "So, a lot of the time when people call us, the problem has already been addressed."

While information seminars and pamphlets have helped reduce complaints, Hamilton says tenants still need to be cautious.

A recent survey found that 80 per cent of Edmonton landlords have dealt with bed bugs over the past five years.

Most landlords spray infected apartments and Hamilton predicts they may start passing the cost onto tenants