Bed bug infestations have surged across New Mexico, affecting cities large and small, with 2025 predicted to be a particularly severe year due to warmer weather and increased travel. Here’s what’s happening and how five key cities are responding to this persistent public health challenge.
1. Albuquerque
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Scope of Problem: Albuquerque faces widespread bed bug issues in homes, apartment complexes, group homes, shelters, hotels, and motels. The city’s Westside homeless shelter has experienced ongoing infestations, highlighting how congregate living settings are especially vulnerable.
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City Response: Albuquerque’s Environmental Health Department takes complaints for multi-unit dwellings and works with property managers to ensure prompt extermination. However, the city does not provide pest control services for single-family homes—residents must contact private pest control companies.
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Community Impact: Infestations in shelters disrupt lives, causing anxiety and making it difficult for residents to break cycles of homelessness and unemployment.
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2. Santa Fe
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Situation: Santa Fe, like Albuquerque, sees bed bug cases rise during periods of increased travel and in shared housing environments. Pest control professionals in the area report regular calls for bed bug extermination, especially in the summer months.
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Response: Local pest control companies offer a combination of physical removal, steam, and chemical treatments. Public education on identifying and reporting infestations is ongoing.
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3. Carlsbad
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Scope of Problem: The oilfield boom in Carlsbad and surrounding Eddy County has led to a tripling of bed bug service calls in recent years. Man camps, hotels, and RVs associated with oilfield workers are hotspots for infestations.
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Response: Pest control companies have ramped up services, but the transient nature of oilfield housing makes eradication challenging.
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4. Artesia
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Situation: Artesia, also in Eddy County, mirrors Carlsbad’s struggles. The influx of workers and frequent turnover in temporary housing contribute to rapid bed bug spread.
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Response: Increased pest control efforts focus on oilfield accommodations and hotels, with public awareness campaigns targeting both residents and employers.
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5. Los Alamos
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Scope of Problem: Los Alamos, while smaller, is not immune. Reports indicate bed bugs in residential homes, apartments, and hotels, especially during summer travel peaks.
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Response: Local pest control specialists offer comprehensive treatments, and residents are encouraged to report infestations early for effective management.
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Why the Epidemic Persists
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Bed bugs are resilient: They breed quickly, hide well, and are increasingly resistant to common pesticides.
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Travel and temporary housing: High rates of travel and shared accommodations (shelters, oilfield camps, hotels) facilitate rapid spread.
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Challenges in eradication: DIY methods are often ineffective; professional pest control is usually required, sometimes involving multiple treatments.
What Residents and Cities Are Doing
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Reporting and management: Cities like Albuquerque have systems for reporting infestations in multi-unit dwellings and work with property managers to enforce treatment.
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Prevention and education: Public health departments advise sealing cracks, using mattress covers, reducing clutter, and avoiding secondhand furniture to prevent infestations.
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Professional intervention: Experts recommend hiring reputable pest control companies for integrated pest management, including heat treatments, steam, and targeted insecticides.
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Table: Bed Bug Epidemic in Five New Mexico Cities
| City | Key Issue Areas | Response Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | Shelters, apartments, hotels | City reporting, pest control partnerships, education |
| Santa Fe | Homes, apartments, hotels | Professional pest control, public awareness |
| Carlsbad | Oilfield housing, hotels | Increased pest control, focus on transient housing |
| Artesia | Oilfield housing, hotels | Targeted pest management, employer engagement |
| Los Alamos | Homes, apartments, hotels | Early reporting, comprehensive treatments |
Bed bug infestations are a growing concern in New Mexico’s largest and fastest-growing cities. Community vigilance, prompt reporting, and professional pest control are critical in combating this persistent epidemic.
Sources
[1] https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_g/G324/index.html
[2] https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/bed-bugs-infest-westside-shelter-in-albuquerque/
[3] https://www.cabq.gov/environmentalhealth/urban-biology/insect-infestation/bed-bugs
[4] https://www.nmhealth.org/about/erd/eheb/bbp/
[5] https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/how-to-get-rid-of-bed-bugs
