CINCINNATI -- An itchy invasion is taking over several fire stations in Cincinnati as fire crews battle it out with bed bugs, local station WLWT reported.

Firefighter union leaders met with city council members to discuss the issue.

Firefighters said that every time they make a run, they brush up against a couch or a bed and sometimes pick up an unwanted hitchhiker.

The situation was so bad at one station the crew had to get rid of their couch.

"We've got 26 fire houses we're chasing them from, as soon as one house seems under control another house pops up," Firefighters Union President Marc Monahan said.

Firefighters didn't consider bed bugs to be a hazard of their job, but now the health department said that the firefighters' Tyvex suits should be worn and disposed of after every run.

"I would advise them to put it in a plastic bag and dispose of it. That is what it going to take to get this under control," Health Department Dr. Mohammad Alam said.

Firefighters said that just not very practical but they are scratching their heads and everything else -- over what to do.

One firefighter had so many bites, he couldn't draw a circle the size of a quarter without hitting one on his arm.