Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Bed bug infestations in an urban environment.

Stephen W Hwang1, Tomislav J Svoboda, Iain J De Jong

  • 1Centre for Research on Inner City Health, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. hwangs@smh.toronto.on.ca

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|April 15, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Bed bugs are reemerging in Toronto, Canada, with significant infestations found in homeless shelters and other urban locations. This study highlights the public health impact, especially on vulnerable populations.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Mortality Risk After Moving From Homelessness Into Supported Housing: A Cautionary Note and a Call to Action.

American journal of public health·2026
Same author

Acute healthcare utilization associated with positive SARS-CoV-2 testing or serology among people experiencing homelessness: A prospective cohort study.

PloS one·2026
Same author

Examination of objective and subjective cognition and their association with functional outcomes: A cross-sectional study in a Canadian sample of homeless and precariously housed adults.

Neuropsychology·2026
Same author

Ethno-Racial Differences in the Effectiveness of Housing First on Healthcare Utilization Among Homeless Adults with Mental Illness: At Home Chez-Soi, a Pragmatic Randomized Trial.

Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities·2026
Same author

Complexity among people experiencing homelessness: A scoping review of definitions and measurement approaches.

American journal of community psychology·2026
Same author

Invasive Group A Streptococcal Disease in Persons Experiencing Postpandemic Homelessness in Canada.

JAMA network open·2026

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Urban Entomology

Background:

  • Bed bugs were once uncommon in industrialized nations but are now reemerging.
  • Infestations pose risks to public health and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the extent of reemerging bed bug infestations in Toronto, Canada.
  • To identify common locations of bed bug infestations, with a focus on homeless shelters.

Main Methods:

  • Documented complaints of bed bug infestations from Toronto Public Health.
  • Surveyed pest control operators regarding treated locations.
  • Assessed bed bug presence in homeless shelters.

Main Results:

  • Toronto Public Health received complaints from 46 locations in 2003, primarily apartments and shelters.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Pest control operators treated 847 locations, mainly single-family homes and apartments.
  • Bed bug infestations were found in 31% of surveyed homeless shelters, with 4% of residents reporting bites at one shelter.

    • Conclusions:

    • Bed bug infestations are a growing concern in urban environments like Toronto.
    • Homeless shelters are significantly affected, impacting resident health and well-being.
    • Public health strategies are needed to address this reemerging pest issue.