by William D’Urso – Feb. 24, 2011 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

PHOENIX — The mere mention of bed bugs might make most people uncomfortable.

But it’s a growing problem in Arizona and getting rid of them is turning into big business for exterminators.

Some pest-control firms have diversified and grown their businesses by adding bedbug eradication as a specialty niche.

National revenue in bedbug extermination and management increased to $258 million in 2009 from $98 million in 2006, according to the National Pest Management Association.