JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The beds at several St. Johns County fire stations have been replaced after several firefighters were bitten by bedbugs.
The county said stations have spent the last few days working with professionals to try to exterminate the problem.
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"They can drop their sock on the floor and a bedbug can crawl in," said George Richardson, of Peninsular Pest Control.
He said he's seeing more bed bugs than ever because more people are traveling overseas and bringing them back to the U.S.
Richardson said if someone spots bedbugs, they should immediately call a professional exterminator. Additionally, he said cleaning is the key to get rid of them.
"Clean the bedding, bed sheets and linens, but also any of the clothes that are in the bedroom," Richardson said.
Bedbugs are so small they can fit into the tiniest spaces. One thing you can do to prevent bedbugs from getting in your mattress is to get a cover for the mattress, something they can't get into.
Richardson said the last thing you should do is use pesticides on the bugs. He said that can do more harm than good.
Professionals can use equipment that exposes bedbugs to heat and begin the process of killing them off.
If you're bitten by a bedbug and experience a strong reaction, you should see a doctor.
"It can be 24-48 hours after they have fed that you start itching," Richardson said.