Commuting In...

Bedbugs are hitchhikers; they travel with people and with items that travel with people.

As the parasites spread at hotels, hospitals, schools and homes, it's natural that some workers will inadvertently transport them into the office, says Larry Pinto, co-author of the Bed Bug Handbook. And in a big office, there can be more than one carrier. "(Different) people can be bringing them in," he says. Pest management firms have had a 57% increase in bedbug-related calls in the last five years, and an 81% increase since 2000, according to the survey. Nearly all the firms polled — 95% — said they've had to tackle a bedbug case in the last year. Four out of every 10 treatments were in commercial buildings.

"It shouldn't be any surprise that it's on the rise in office buildings," says Potter, who is considered one of the top bedbug experts in the country. "If you look at where they show up, apartments, hotels and (houses) are on the top of the food chain. But with time, they move into other places."

Once bedbugs settle into corporate digs, it's tough to get them out.

The apple-seed-size insects dine on human blood. They hide in crevices and are resilient to many insecticides. They can live for a year without feeding.The offspring of two fertile bed bugs that move in can produce a new bug every 14 days. They infiltrate the workplace through various routes, such as on the suitcases of frequent travelers or on the purses, laptop cases and gym bags of employees who have infestations at home. They can also be brought in by office visitors, shipments or deliveries, vendors, and maintenance staff.

Being proactive is the best way to keep such lawsuits at bay. 

 If you have a policy and you are upfront, it's a lot harder to sue an employer.

Unwanted Publicity

Global ad agency Saatchi & Saatchi, which had a minor bed bug incident at its New York office last year, had those troubles posted on popular gossip site Gawker and ad industry blog Agency Spy. Fears of incurring brand damage is what keeps many firms from broaching the subject with employees, vendors or customers. No one wants to be known as the company with bed bugs. Even the folks at former president Bill Clinton's office in New York are mum on the bed bug topic. The Daily News reported that the New York City-based charity had exterminators in for bed bugs last year.

Physical and Mental anguish for workers

Physical and mental anguish for workers Some victims have absolutely no reaction, while for others, the subsequent swelling and itching can be painful. Even without an extreme physical reaction, a bout with bedbugs can be psychologically scarring, with victims reporting depression, anxiety, paranoia and stress. "Probably one of the most under-reported issues is the mental anguish that comes with having bed bugs," says NPMA's Henriksen The bed bug situation was "very traumatic" for Fox's Clark, says Schnurman. When many folks think of bed bugs, they have a half-smile remembering the popular "good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite," rhyme, he says. "But when it hits home, it's horrible. It's absolutely horrible."

Widespread infestations

If caught early enough, the bug troubles can be contained to just a few cubicles. But if management doesn't spot a problem — or ignores bug sightings — the critters can eventually take over multiple floors of an office building. If you go to an apartment where there's an infestation, it'll typically be centered on the bed or by the couch. But in an office, it can be anywhere. They start wandering down the cubicles and down the walls looking for food. "The nocturnal critters prefer late-night dining if evening-shift workers are around, but can adjust to daytime feeding if necessary, says NPMA's Henriksen: "They are in (a) search for the human blood meal, and they will find it any way they can."