TORONTO, Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Ontario announced a $5 million campaign to stamp out bedbugs Monday.
The province also has set up a Web site -- bedbugsinfo.ca -- with information on preventing and treating infestations, InsideToronto.com reported.
"We are taking a proactive stance in addressing the growing issue of bedbugs," provincial legislator Mike Colle said during the announcement at a Toronto senior center. "This issue really devastates people."
Colle said infestation reports have soared from 46 in 2003 to 1,500 in 2009.
"No doubt there is a huge demand for (financial) help," he said, noting getting rid of the pests can cost thousands per infestation. "It's not a poor person's thing; anyone can bring them in. You have to find the source and know what to do to prevent them from coming in."
Sujata Ganguli, director of the senior center, said it has clients in five public housing buildings currently dealing with the insects.
"The public awareness campaign is fantastic," she said. "Some of our clients who don't have the Internet won't be able to access the site, but this means our staff has access to the information."
