A new report says Charlotte is one of the worst cities in America when it comes to bed bugs, and the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners will lobby lawmakers to do more to stop the problem.
Orkin pest control said its exterminators have been busy in the Queen City. Charlotte ranks 33rd on Orkin's list of "Top Bed Bug Cities."
The city jumped 13 spots since last year, meaning there have been hundreds of additional calls for bed bugs.
"You mention bed bugs and people automatically get a shiver up their spine," said Mecklenburg County Commissioner Bill James.
The Mecklenburg County Health Department can investigate only hotels that offer a nightly rate for rooms, but not motels that offer a weekly rate.
The Health Department said the reason weekly-rate motels aren't regulated as tightly is because the law says there's a lowered expectation of service. Sheets and towels aren't regularly cleaned in those establishments; sometimes, they're not provided.
"We get complaints every day that we can't follow up on because we don't have that regulatory authority," said Bobby Cobb, with the Health Department.
James said it doesn't take much for bed bugs to spread from one motel to one restaurant to one neighborhood.
He said in two weeks, he will ask the county commission to write write a letter to lawmakers, signed by the Health Department.
"It would be better for the Legislature to give us the authority to go in and regulate these weekly institutions," James said.
James said this should be a priority for legislators, because tens of thousands of people will be in Charlotte this summer for the Democratic National Convention.
"You take a lot of people, you squeeze them into a small spot like with the DNC convention, and I think it's going to be bad news," James said.
WSOC
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