NYC report: Bedbugs spreading like never before, city commits to battle them

NYC looks to stop massive bedbug spread

NEW YORK — Bedbugs are spreading at an unprecedented rate in New York City and officials say they are implementing a plan to battle the infestation.

The efforts are mostly concentrated on educating New Yorkers about prevention and treatment.

The bloodsucking pests have rapidly multiplied throughout many U.S. cities in recent years.

Experts say it is impossible to fully understand the scope of the problem. Many people have them without knowing.

For the first time, the city surveyed New Yorkers about bedbugs last year. It told The Associated Press the findings on Wednesday: More than 6 percent of New York City households said they had the pests in the last year.