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A plague of bed bugs is causing concern ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
Numbers of bed bugs worldwide are growing, particularly in Europe and backpackers are being blamed for transporting them back here.
A lack of awareness of the bug in New Zealand and stereotypes of the bug are adding to the problem.
Around 85,000 tourists are expected in New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup tournament in September. Most will be staying in paid accommodation.
Exterminators say their work load is rapidly increasing.
David Brittain from Kiwicare says they brought in 20,000 bedbug products a year ago and have sold double what they expected to.
"They don't care if the bedroom is clean or dirty, residential or commercial. The majority of people don't realise they have bedbugs because most people don't react to their bites," he said.
He says bedbugs are in higher infestations around our national parks possibly because more backpackers frequent these locations.
Michael Baines from the Motel Association says they have a strong ongoing education program that includes a roadshow on bedbugs they take to their members.
Baines says they teach hotels how to spot bedbugs and the best way to eradicate them.
He says even though bedbugs are not a danger to health, for motels it is matter of a quality of stay and bedbugs are bad for reputation.
Extermination treatment requires a combination of strong pesticides, vacuuming, heat treatment and plastic wrappings that suffocate the bugs.
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