RSS Feed
Twitter
New York City has recently witnessed several bedbug sightings, causing some potential visitors to stay away.
The discoveries of these pests at high profile areas, however, are often not full-blown infestations. Bloomingdale’s, for instance, reported finding only one bug in the entire department store. On the other hand, Lincoln Center’s were found in the dressing room and, in a statement, the Empire State Building revealed that the bedbug occurrence was specific to a uniform area in the basement of the building, and that the area has since been treated and fully cleared.
While it is not clear why these rust-colored bugs have become such a problem in New York City, experts theorize that an increase in international travel and the banning of certain pesticides may be partly responsible. Despite the name, bedbugs are not insects confined to just hiding in beds. These rust-colored insects can also hide in places such as walls and clothes, and can hitch rides in laptops, bags, and suitcases. They can go for a year without feeding, which makes it even harder for them to eradicate.
NYC & Company, the city’s tourism agency, said that it has not seen mass cancellations because of bedbug fears. But officials said that some hotels and museums have already voiced their concerns that the bedbug rumors will drive travelers away.
Officials in Mayor Bloomberg’s administration are worried about the effect not only on the city’s image but also on the $30 billion tourism industry. Tourism officials are now keeping an eye on the situation while they are trying to decide how to address the public relations side of the issue.
As bedbug reports have spread to office buildings and schools, New Yorkers themselves have become wary even of regular activities like shopping, going to the movies, and going to work.
Posted in 
Tags: 
