Bed Bugs are a serious problem in New York City but this New York Time's article discusses some ways to deal with the problem through "Knowing the Enemy" and implementing "Prevention and Elimination" measures for your apartment.
The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development received 8,840 bed bug complaints nearly 2,000 more than last year. And chances are the real number of infested households is much larger.
Bed bugs can move easily from apartment to apartment through cracks in walls and floors. So another prevention method not mentioned in this article is Integrative Pest Management (IPM) check out this great Harlem Word with Ray Lopez of The Little Sisters of the Assumption about getting rid of roaches through IPM: http://gethealthyharlem.org/articles/harlem-word-ray-lopez-learn-how... [1]
Links:
[1] http://gethealthyharlem.org/articles/harlem-word-ray-lopez-learn-how-make-your-home-safer-place-and-lower-your-chances-developin
[2] http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/14/health/14brod.html?em