A couple years ago, my family and I moved into an apartment after selling our house. We lived in the apartment for several years and during that time we picked up bedbugs. It was either from the neighbors (we lived in row home apartments) or they brought in by one of us. (Who knows)
I knew better, but my mother said "We won't take them with us and if we do, I'll have them removed from the new place". Well obviously, that wasn't a good idea. After a week or so at the new place, I could tell we still had bedbugs and they were as strong as ever.
My brother told me "Since they're not affecting me, I'm not too worried about it". From there I decided I'd have to fight this alone since no one else cared and I was the primary one being bit.
I decided to cake my baseboards with D.E. and just try to make it without complaining too much, as all my complaints fell on deaf ears. Well, finally just last night my brother's girlfriend needed to adjust the crib that their 7 month old baby sleeps in. And guess what was found hiding out in part of that crib? Yup, a whole litter of bedbugs. Now finally, my brother says he'll do something about it (calling an exterminator) when he gets his taxes back in the new year. I could've paid for this myself a few months ago since I had a little extra cash from selling an old car of mine, but mom decided the quote was too pricey (We don't have much money). But now he'll have to foot the bill and in the process kiss away his entire tax refund since the treatment won't be cheap.
I guess for those in denial, the shock factor has to be introduced somehow for them to understand the real issue. Bedbugs aren't the only thing in life where this is true, but denial is one ugly mofo.