The interior ministry will urgently provide financial support to local governments fighting the spread of bed bugs.

Announcing the move on Monday, the ministry said it was allocating two-point-two billion won, or over one-point-six million U.S. dollars in special tax grants for municipalities to purchase pesticides as they conduct their four-week long intensive inspection and control period.

Support for pest control will be strengthened in vulnerable areas like guesthouses and off-campus dorms.

The government’s joint response team on bedbugs also plans to introduce effective insecticides during the intensive inspection and control period, while providing information to the public.

Interior Minister Lee Sang-min vowed to ramp up inspections and make all-out efforts on a pan-government level.