Infestations of bugs are being reported in higher numbers in Fort McMurray, and for some residents and business owners it is causing them to bug out. Some residents came back to find their homes still standing, with little or no actual damage, but now they are seeing infestations and bug problems that they did not have pre-fire evacuation. According to exterminator Sher Gray emergency calls are common. Gray explained “I still have my regular clients that I service, but the emergency calls and inspections have probably doubled since my last trip up here in April. Normally I’d get maybe five to 10 calls over a week. I’m probably at around 35-40 calls and I’ve only been here three days. People haven’t been here for a month, the bugs have had free roam. And now all the tractors and bulldozers are here. They’re cutting down the burnt timbers, they’re turning the soil over to get it ready for planting and for new trees, and so they’re stirring up nests and stuff.”

University of Alberta entomology expert John Acorn explained how Fort McMurray residents can deal with bugs and infestations. According to Acorn “I would encourage people to not panic. Just go about the business of cleaning things up. Only use the pesticides or call in an exterminator if it’s a persistent problem.” Gray also said for people to “Just peel the bedsheets back… give it a nice check. And if you see any black dots or any movement that’s a good sign that there’s something there. In general, be aware of your surroundings. If you are staying in hotels, whether it be here in Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Florida, anywhere, bed bugs are worldwide. We’re hoping that this is just an anomaly. But so be it if we have to come up more frequently than usual. That’s what we’re here for.”