With bedbugs a growing problem across the country, the National Pest Management Association yesterday applauded Hawai'i legislation to increase prevention and public awareness of the bloodsucking insects.

State House and Senate resolutions introduced this month request the state health director to conduct a prevention and education campaign on the "increasing incidence of bedbugs," saying Hawai'i's visitor industry and residents are susceptible to the pests and the high costs related to controlling them.

The National Pest Management Association has received reports of bedbugs in 43 states, including Hawai'i, said Cindy Mannes, vice president of public affairs for the association. The association — a trade organization with more than 5,000 members — said bedbug infestations nationally have increased 63 percent in the past four years.

"It's an issue out there, not just in Hawai'i, and (the resolutions) could serve as a model for other states for public awareness and education," Mannes said, adding that it is a problem not only in hotels but in college dormitories and residences around the nation. "We feel as an industry that this issue is going to get worse before it gets better because it's become so prevalent. ... One of the things that we're trying to do is educate the consumer on what they look like ... what to do if you find them, because they multiply so quickly."

An infestation of bedbugs could be devastating to tourism, Hawai'i's No. 1 industry, said Rep. Marilyn Lee, who introduced the House resolution.

"For a place that depends on tourism, it's a real economic issue if that were to be established here," she said. "It's one of those things that has been on the news, both national and international, and it's something worth looking at.

"I want to be careful — I'm not saying we have an epidemic, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure in this case, because this is one thing we don't want to get."

Experts and others say the growth in international travel and the change in pest control to more targeted, safer methods have contributed to the re-emergence of bedbugs nationally. Hawai'i's mild climate and large numbers of international visitors also make the state more susceptible, they say.

Some local pest control companies say reports of bedbugs are increasing in Hawai'i.

"Oh definitely. It is a growing problem by far," said Keith Yakabe, pest-control supervisor and consultant for XTERMCO Inc., which has treated bedbugs in homes and hotels. "Five years ago, we were lucky to do half a dozen bed bug jobs a year. But now it's like we may be doing that every month. It's really on the increase."

Mohinder Maan, owner of Diversified Exterminators on O'ahu, agreed.

"I have been at the head of this company for 29 years, and I would like to say the first 26 years we may have done two or three (bedbug) jobs. Not more than five jobs in the first 26 years," he said. "But now lately, oh, it is on the upswing as far as bedbug infestation is concerned. We receive an average of about five calls a month now."

Adult bedbugs are about the size of a small ladybug and are flat, oval and wingless. They are brown but turn red after feasting on blood. Adults feed regularly but can live six months without eating.

The nonbinding Senate resolution is scheduled for a Friday hearing before the Senate Health Committee. A state Department of Health representative said the department is finalizing testimony on the resolution, but added: "As far as we know, bedbugs do not transmit diseases, so they're more of a nuisance than a public-health issue. Our preference is to focus our limited resources on vectors that do spread disease. And we do respond to complaints about bedbugs."

Of the 984 complaints to the state Department of Health's vector-control branch in the past year, 26 were about bedbugs at homes or hotels, Okubo said.

Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association president Murray Towill said he has not heard of bedbugs being a problem locally, but added that it's an issue the industry must be diligent about.

"It's an issue that people in the hospitality industry are aware of and want to stay on top of," Towill said.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com.