Revenge of the Bed Bugs

For most of the last 30 or 40 years, bed bugs were rarely seen, but in recent years they've made a real comeback. Merchant primarily works with pest control professionals, and bed bugs are their worst nightmare, he said.

"Infested structures are mostly hotels and apartments, arguably two of the least profitable and most difficult places to service," Merchant said. "Infestations are usually centered around beds and bedrooms, often the most cluttered and private rooms of a home. Good service is extremely time consuming and requires diligent follow-up to be successful."

Bed bugs are no picnic for those whose bedrooms are infested either. When bed bugs bite, their salvia causes irritation and inflamation.

No one really knows why bed bugs have become more common, but increased international travel has probably contributed to the rise, Merchant said. Crazy ants, a.k.a, "crazy rasberry ants," and rover ants are the "biggest pest surprises in recent memory," Merchant said.