Since the early 1990s American exterminators have started to dent the urban roach population.

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Now in the US, he explained, exterminators are employing similar tactics when confronted with the worst infestations.

BBC: Bed bugs 'dodge insecticides' with molecular tricks

Officials in the 1950s created a so-called rat patrol of exterminators ready to parachute in and stamp out migrating vermin.

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But until these are created, exterminators are having to resort to other means to beat the bugs.

BBC: Bed bugs 'dodge insecticides' with molecular tricks

Among the measures it is expected to consider is a ban on selling second-hand mattresses and better training for exterminators.

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