A single bed bug attack has caused three huts on the popular Whanganui Journey Great Walk to be closed for immediate fumigation.
It comes less than a week after the Department of Conservation (DOC) announced it will be closing one of its huts in Stewart Island in an attempt to evict a hardy infestation of bed bugs.
DOC director of heritage and visitors, Steve Taylor, said the department is taking the matter seriously and treating each hut as if it has an infestation.
Taylor said this week's report on the bed bug attack comes from a credible source, despite the bugs not being previously reported in huts along the Whanganui river.
The Whakahoro and Tīeke huts will be temporarily closed for treatment and the John Coull hut will remain closed.
Taylor said the department has been in touch with everyone booked to stay in the huts through to the end of the season and notified them of the closures and fumigation plans.
He said several individuals expressed they would still continue with their plans but might camp instead, and those who choose to cancel will receive refunds.
The department said bed bugs are not a common issue, but infestations sometimes happen.
DOC said it will work swiftly to get on top of any small infestations before they become a larger problem.
"Obviously, we want people to enjoy their experiences in the great outdoors, and part of doing that comes from knowing the facilities and services the department can be relied upon," said Taylor.
He said people using the huts or any of DOC's facilities can do their part by thoroughly cleaning hiking gear between each location and declaring bed bug sightings so the department can deal with them promptly.
