While bed bugs are not known to pose any biological threat other than itchy bites, they can be extremely difficult and expensive to exterminate. BC Housing, an agency that develops and manages subsidized housing, has spent more than $721,000 trying to rid 43 of its 49 residential developments in British Columbia, Canada, of bed bugs, according to The Vancouver Sun.

Even after spending all that money to spray the residences, the news source reports that it is still unknown whether the infestation is over. The regional health ministry told the Sun that BC Housing is taking further action to ensure that all of the bed bugs are eradicated by using heat treatment trailers to get rid of bed bugs on tenants' furniture and possessions.

One of the hardest challenges for BC Housing residents is moving their furniture to these treatment facilities, as many are disabled and elderly.

A mattress cover can provide additional protection after the heat treatment, just in case a few insects survived the high temperatures. The tightly woven material is designed to trap bed bugs inside so they cannot come out at night and bite unsuspecting sleepers.