SHERMAN, TX - For years bed bugs were completely eradicated from the U.S., but now the parasites are making a comeback. Most of the outbreaks are in the northern parts of the country, like New York. But there have been recent reports of bed bugs in Sherman.

Local exterminators say bed bugs are slowly on the rise and they blame the change in pesticides to why they're coming back. From the 1940's to the 1970's, stronger insecticides, like DDT, were sprayed on a regular basis, and the residual chemicals kept the bugs away.

But since then, we've gone to fewer pesticides that are safer, making it easier for bed bugs to spread and live.

"They get very personal, that's true, you know no one likes to think about something biting them in their sleep,” said Art Harmon, owner of Results Environment Pest Management in Sherman.

Harmon has already responded to a few bed bug cases this summer in Sherman, something he says was unheard of just a few years ago. He says it’s nothing to panic about, but a problem to take seriously.

"It's not a wide spread problem, but it is, very slowing, it is increasing,” said Harmon.

International travel has also increased, spreading the bugs from other countries in people's luggage and clothes, and then into hotels, motels and people’s homes.

"You could have a very sterile looking environment and still have bed bugs in that environment because they're not out on the open surface they are hidden during the day time,” said Harmon.

A local motel in Sherman was listed on a bed bug registry website, www.bedbugregistry.com, but has since been removed because the problem was resolved.

"Bed bug control is considered to be expensive because of the time that it takes to do the inspection and do the treatment,” said Harmon.

Exterminators offer chemicals and products to kill bed bugs yourself. Harmon said you must be very thorough to make sure you find all the bed bugs, and then spend the time killing them all off. If you do spot a bed bug, immediately take action. Removing bed bugs takes a lot of time, moving and disassembling of furniture.

"They are a crack and crevice dweller, could be around baseboards, the folds in mattresses, the crevices in bed rails or bedding,” said Harmon.

Some signs to look out for are dark reddish or brown blood spots on sheets, mattresses or pillow cases. Bed bug bites are itchy, red spots, that can sometimes appear as raised welts or smaller like mosquito bites.

"You usually will have a series of bites ranging from usually three or more and they are typically in a row,” explained Harmon.

Another area of concern with school starting back is college dorms. Austin College took preventative measures against bed bugs a few years ago by purchasing bed bug resistant mattresses for all dorms. The college said they wanted to be proactive because so many students from all over the country stay in their dorms.

Here are a few tips on how to stop bed bugs:
• Inspect mattresses and sheets for bed bugs when traveling
• Inspect all clothing, luggage and travel bags for bed bugs
• If you’re a tenant, immediately notify your landlord, they may be liable for exterminating bed bugs
• If you suspect you have bed bugs, conduct a thorough check around all mattresses, sheets, pillow cases, bed frames, baseboards, walls and other areas near where you sit or sleep for long periods of time
• Hire an exterminator: Trying to get rid of bed bugs yourself can be very costly and dangerous. It involves moving and dissembling furniture, fumigating homes and using chemicals in the home