Bedbugs at Department of Conservation (Doc) huts in Southland have prompted rangers to warn potential travellers to check their gear while travelling.
Doc heritage and visitors senior ranger Dale Chittenden said wardens were checking North Arm Hut, at Stewart Island, daily.
‘‘Only one recent visitor has received bites while staying at the hut, but we’re still taking this very seriously,’’ he said.
‘‘Bedbugs are known hitchhikers and notoriously tricky to get rid of, so we’re requesting visitors check their gear to make sure bedbugs are not coming in or out of huts and other accommodation.’’
They can appear without warning in high-use, shared sleeping areas.
The North Arm Hut last underwent a full chemical treatment in late September, while Luxmore Hut, on the Kepler Track, was treated in October. This treatment posed little risk to people.
Mr Chittenden said if a full treatment was required, it might pose a risk to hut users so the hut would be closed temporarily.
‘‘Our response involves deep cleaning, chemical treatments and monitoring. We also communicate with our local accommodation providers, so they are aware of the situation. We want to control the bedbugs while avoiding disruption to the Great Walk experience; we don’t want a couple of bugs to spoil people’s plans.’’
North Arm Hut will be closed today while a contractor carries out further bedbug treatment. Luxmore Hut will be treated again within the next two weeks and both huts will remain open until further notice.
The best advice for stopping the spread of bedbugs includes leaving gear outside huts where possible, cleaning and airing out gear regularly and not disturbing glue traps.
People who wished to cancel bookings could get a full refund.
