SPOKANE, WA- The holidays are all about family and tradition. But, what if you could never invite anyone over to your home to celebrate because of a bed bug infestation?  Welcome to Gina Knight's world. For the past seven months, Knight, her husband and four kids have been living with bed bugs.  On Thursday Dec. 17 that changed.  For the second time this week, Prime Pest Control heat and chemically treated for bed bugs at a local home for free just in time for Christmas.

"I'm super excited.  The free treatment will take a lot of stress off my shoulders," said Gina Knight.

Knight said having bed bugs has taken its toll on their family, especially her 8-year-old daughter.

"My daughter won't sleep because she's afraid of the bed bugs and she's constantly getting bit," added Knight.

In the spring, Prime Pest Control quoted Knight for a bed bug treatment, but the owner of the home decided to go with another pest control company.  The treatment however was not successful and the bed bug infestation spread rapidly.

"It's awful.  The bed bugs don't go away.  We can't go anywhere for fear of transferring them to friends and family," said Knight.

When Craig Bergmann, a technician at Prime Pest Control, heard about Knight's story, he knew he had to help.

"We are honored to give the gift of a pest free home this holiday season," said Bergmann.

In the past year, calls for bed bug treatments have doubled in the Inland Northwest. To keep up with the demand, Prime Pest Control tripled its heat treatment equipment.  Because some strains of bed bugs are resistant to chemicals, heat treatment is the most effective method to eradicate the pest. Prime Pest Control also added another bed bug sniffing K9 to its staff.  "Donnie" and "Allie" are highly trained labs with an incredible knack for finding the source of bed bugs in a home.

Knight said she's now looking forward to Christmas morning.  With the unwanted guests soon to be gone, her extended family will now be able to stay at their home for the holidays.

"It's awesome a company would do something like this for our family.  We are very thankful," added Knight.

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