Bedbugs found in two Iqaluit apartments

Two public housing units in Iqaluit have been fumigated due to bedbugs.

It's the first case of bedbugs the Nunavut Housing Corporation has had to deal with.

"This was brought to our attention in early January and we reacted immediately and met with people," said Alain Barriault, president of the Nunavut Housing Corporation.

"And within about a 10-day period anyway we had someone in there to fumigatefor bugs."

Barriault said the bugs have been exterminated.

There's no single agency in Nunavut in charge of dealing with bedbugs.Residents are being advised to notify their landlord, if they see the creatures.

"Bedbugs can spread from one apartment to another so they don't necessarily stay in the same place," said Barriault. "Bedbugs are not related to people having a messy or untidy home. It can happen to anybody."

Bedbugs have become an issue in most major southern Canadian cities, such as Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal. Theytravel easily, hitching rides inblankets, clothing, furniture and even books.

Authorities don't consider bedbugs to be a threat to human health, because they don't transmit disease, but they do bite and can lead to skin irritation and allergic reactions.