Rich Jernstedt, the chief marketing officer of the massive PR firm Fleishman-Hillard, emails us to explain why, exactly, someone at his firm had the bright idea of mocking Fox News as a nasty, bedbug-infested den of disease, and offering Fox guests a free de-lousing in order to get publicity for a pest control client. Rich, Rich, you don't understand: we're with you on this one. Fox News is a nasty, bedbug-infested den of disease. And we like to see a PR firm uncharacteristically attack a powerful media outlet. We're hoping for a full-on war here! But, reading between the lines of Rich's email, it sounds like Fleishman has done some serious groveling since its CEO got mocked by Fox on-air in retaliation last week. His full email about "our friends at FOX," below:

Fox News will always have its revenge! Back in March, news of a bedbug infestation in Fox's newsroom surfaced, and the huge PR firm Fleishman-Hillard took advantage of it to promote one of their pest control clients—offering a free de-lousing to any Fox guests. You just knew that Fox wouldn't let that insult slide. Today, the fair and balanced station got its on-air vengeance against the PR firm [PRNewser], with a little of Fox's trademark gratuitous humiliation:

Fleishman-Hillard, one of the world's largest PR firms, seems pretty worried about that recent bedbug infestation at Fox News! Fleishman is sending out press releases for its client, Hot Shot insecticides, offering a free Hot Shot to anybody who's been a guest on Fox lately. So they don't bring the nasty Fox bugs back home! Funny thing is, most PR firms are painstakingly careful not to offend any media outlets, but here's a brave one that's willing to stand up and call Fox News—I'm really paraphrasing here—a den of dirty bloodsucking insects that has tainted anyone who set foot on its premises. Lots of people have said that before, but never a PR agency. Good show, Fleishman! Hope Fox doesn't get offended next time you're pitching them clients (such as Target, Motorola, Dow Chemical—email me for a longer list)! It's a good thing Fox News doesn't hold grudges, ha ha. Full pesticidal press release after the jump.

A tipster tells us that the Fox News employee who caused the bedbug infestation has been fired; he's described as "a satellite desk guy who was greasy and gross." Sounds like a likely suspect! Any further information, email us. [Earlier]

How is Fox News supposed to bring the REAL news to the American mainstream when they are busy fighting off a bug infestation of the newsroom? If only we were making a metaphorical joke about the network's tendency to employ cockroaches. We're not! A liberal media outlet, the New York Times, reports that Fox News discovered an infestation of the dreaded, disgusting BEDBUGS a few weeks ago "when an employee 'caught a bug and showed it to us.'" YUCK. But Fox News employees get even nastier than that: One of them brought the bugs in!

The bedbugs epidemic—or at least, an epidemic of stories—continues to plague urban areas! Today, the Washington Post examines bedbugs in the media: "'The bugs are back' is so perfect a trend story that it seems hand-forged by the trend-story gods. It's what happens when you combine a creepy villain, primal fear and squishy statistics."

We declare the infamous hipster loft building at 255 McKibbin Street to be an official no-go zone. Over on the building's MySpace—the building has a MySpace!—the tales of bedbug woe throughout the building are pouring in. It is time to fully quarantine the area. Put up the barbed wire and the guard towers!
BEDBUGS are a MAJOR ISSUE!!! [248 McKibbin MySpace]

Bedbugs "used to be associated with cramped and dirty living quarters, grimy motels and high-rise living in places like New York," but are now "snuggling into households across Southern California, giving people the heebie- jeebies." HA. Suckers! [LAT]

• Hey, who tagged our office? And what the heck does it say?
  

Trash day never looked so dire as it did outside 213 East 10th Street this morning. Grody! Bedbugs ahoy!

• Why you can never, ever trust anyone to tell you the truth about bedbugs. Or the truth in general, come to think of it. [eefers]
  

We had our own bedbug infestation about two years ago. Intern Alexis, famously, faced hers around the same time. So, while we're always glad to hear other New Yorkers being warned of the problem, we can't help wondering what made the Times decide yesterday was the right time for an article headlined, "Just Try to Sleep Tight. The Bedbugs Are Back."