Virginia officials are calling them the "leading public health pest" of this century.

Bedbugs are back, and state leaders want to make sure you know about them.

Local exterminators say bedbugs are definitely in the Valley, but the question is how do residents get rid of them

They live in the crevices of mattresses, sofas and sheets, and they feed on human blood.

"Every year I see a little more bedbug activity here in the Valley, and I think we are in a prime location for the bedbug situation to grow even more," says Jim Boggs, an exterminator with PermaTreat.

Boggs says bedbugs have been in Harrisonburg for the last four years.

He visited a home in the city Thursday to get rid of the pests.

"The homeowners have to go through so much prior to us even showing up to do the treatment. They have to empty out dressers, clothing has to be washed, dried, bagged up," comments Boggs.

Experts say bedbugs are here to stay. How to get rid of them is the problem.

"Bedbugs originated in the caves of the Middle East and just have spread throughout the world," says David Price, a certified entomologist.

He says bedbugs have developed a resistance to most pesticides.

"It's evolved from hotel room into our homes," adds Price.

"There are no real products that a homeowner can use to take care of the situation," said Boggs

Experts say the bedbug problem was eliminated back in the 1960s, but due to international travel, they're coming back.

Unfortunately, the problem is not going to go away in the near future.

"Don't let it get out of control because we can get to it before you notice it. It's a lot better than once it explodes, because bedbugs reproduce quite rapidly," says Boggs.

Experts say bedbugs do not transfer any diseases to humans.

Residents should call a professional to take care of the problem.

The Environmental Protection Agency warns consumers to be cautious of companies who claim to be able to get rid of bedbugs. Officials say only use trusted professionals.

Also, you should never use a pesticide indoors that is intended for outdoor use.