A Bakersfield family wants the land lord to get rid of a bed bug infestation.

The family thinks the pesky insects were there when they moved into the apartment. They've thrown out their furniture twice, but the bed bugs are still there.

Kay Hammer lives in the 1900 block of Hasti-Acres Drive, and says the family started getting bitten shortly after they moved in. The tenant says it's a big problem, but she's not sure how the bugs got there.

"They come in many ways," said Hammer Friday morning. "The holes in the walls are very accessible to them, and they multiply like rabbits, I guess."

Hammer said at first the family couldn't figure out why or how they were getting bitten. But, then they checked the mattresses and furniture -- and spotted the small, brown bugs.

According to new guidelines form the California Department of Health Services, bed bugs are making a comeback. "In recent years there has been a resurgence of bed bug infestations throughout the United States," reads the report.

Bed bugs are about a quarter-inch long, and feed on blood, normally during the night.

They can hide in small areas of mattresses and bedding. They can also hide in cracks in walls, behind electric outlet plates and woodwork.

The bug bites cause "red , raised, itchy reactions on the skin," according to the Health Department report, but they do not carry diseases. Hammer has photos of the bites her family suffered on their arms and legs.

Hammer said after discovering the bugs, the family got rid of two beds and eventually three sofas. The last time, she got a couch from a friend -- and quickly it was infested.

"We'd be bitten just from sitting on the furniture, and lift up the cushions and there they were," said Hammer. "They were just covered under the cushion and underneath."

Kern County Public Health Educator Norma Van Sant checked the Hammer apartment, and she's sure the pests are bed bugs. "They're definitely bed bugs," said Van Sant, "The mattresses -- even though they're covered -- you can see them."

Hammer has covered two new twin mattresses with plastic after her grandsons started getting bitten. Van Sant said she found evidence of bed bugs also in dresser drawers, and she spotted holes in the walls where bed bugs could get in. The health educator says the best way to get rid of the bugs is with professional help.

"If they're in the structure, it's very difficult for the tenants to get rid of it without professional help," said Van Sant.

Hammer told the landlord about the bed bugs, and he sent a pesticide company over on Monday -- but there had been no action as of Friday. "We called the exterminator yesterday even, and he said the owner/landlord has never called him back authorizing him to do anything here."

The landlord is Yogi Solanki. He declined to meet Eyewitness News at the apartment, but said by phone that the pesticide company did find bed bugs in the Hammer apartment. Solanki said he would consult with the pesticide company, and would pay for appropriate treatment. "As long as the tenant is cooperating, I'm doing my best," said Solanki.

Pesticide experts say bed bugs may be turning up again after years of not being much of a problem. "One of the primary reasons for the resurgence is an increase in international travel," according to a report from the Terminix company. That pesticide company says they are getting calls about bed bugs from many different types of locations.

"Bed bugs aren't a reflection of cleanliness, as they have been found in even the swankiest of accommodations," according to the Terminix information.

The Kern County Environmental Health Department has seen more reports of bed bugs in hotels and motels. They inspect those locations, and require treatment when any bed bugs are found. The Environmental Health Department does not deal with private residences.

Hammer contacted Bakersfield City Code Compliance, but Officer Wanda Neal said her department refers any bed bug cases to the health department or professional pest control companies.

"Bed bugs are something that's not easily visible," said Neal. "So that's why we're not professionals, and we leave that up to the Health Department where they've been trained -- and the professionals, where they've been trained."

Neal said Code Compliance can send a letter to the landlord and tenant if there is an alleged bed bug infestation. Neal said that had been done in the case of the Hammer apartment.

Eyewitness News talked to several other neighbors in the apartment building, and some reported they had suffered with bug bites. The spokeswoman from the health department said those could be bed bug bites.

The Hammers now have almost no furniture in the living room. They sleep on air mattresses, except for one new bed that appears to be clear of bed bugs so far. Kay Hammer hopes the landlord will get the building professionally treated to get rid of the bed bugs.

"I can't move," said Hammer. "If I move I take them with me. So I'm just kind of in limbo right now."