New York:
Blood sucking bedbugs have made a strong comeback in New York, forcing temporary closures of some reputed outlets here.
In recent days, the bugs forced the temporary closures of a Victoria's Secret and Abercrombie and Fitch. The shops say they have rid their stores of the tiny pests, but experts say the infestations are just the latest indication of the bedbug's strong comeback.
After mostly being eradicated from the US a half century ago, infestations are so common that New York City formed a Bed Bug Advisory Board in 2009 to focus on preventing infestations, Christian Science Monitor reported.
According to New York City's Housing Preservation and Development department, bedbug complaints in the city have skyrocketed over the past five years, from just over 500 in 2004 to over 10,000 in 2009.
In June, the New York state legislature passed a law requiring landlords to give potential renters a "bedbug history" of their property.