Thursday, March 6, 2014

Bedbugs, an Emerging Pest

Bedbugs, an Emerging Pest

By Maria Shneider


The common bedbug, Cimex lectularius, is a parasitic insect that feeds on your blood while you sleep. They love to hide in furniture and bedsheets until night falls, at which point they emerge to feed on their unconscious host. Bedbugs are easily the most noxious pest you could find in your home.

These unwelcome guests will bite up to 4 times each while feeding, often forming a straight line called a ‘breakfast, lunch, and dinner’ mark. They feed for 10 minutes at a time, growing several times their original size as they become swollen with blood. Afterwards, they can lay dormant for up to a year without food, but will bite you again in a few days given the opportunity. Like mosquitoes, these insects are attracted to the carbon dioxide we give off, as well as our body heat.

For decades, bedbugs were rare in Western nations. With the introduction of the pesticide DDT in the 1940s, bedbugs had been nearly eliminated from most urban centres. DDT eventually proved to be toxic to wildlife, and widespread use was eventually banned in many nations by 1980. As a result, bedbug populations have been on a slow rise for decades. Bedbug bites are once again becoming a serious nuisance for some people.

These bites can be alarming at first, especially in the case of a severe infestation. The most common symptom is itchy, red weals. Some people develop blisters or allergic reactions, although it is the exception. Another important symptom is restless sleep, especially after the victim is aware that there are bedbugs present.

Despite these symptoms, bedbugs are not generally recognised as a carrier of any severe illness. However, recent studies have shown that they are capable of harbouring antibiotic resistant bacteria, although the significance of this fact is not yet known. In any case, if you suspect a bedbug infestation, you should call a pest control agency to confirm the presence of bedbugs and eliminate them.

The hidden truth about bedbugs is that they emit a chemical signature that specially trained dogs can detect. A pest control agency might bring one of these dogs to your home to help confirm the presence of these pests. Once the source is found, the inspector needs to search the area to visually identify the bedbugs.

Once all doubt has been removed, you will have to decide how to eradicate the infestation. There are numerous options available, but you should pay special attention to methods that reduce the use of pesticides (called integrated pest management). The use of pesticides in the home can cause adverse reactions that are best avoided. Pesticide-free methods include mattress encasement, high-intensity vacuuming, and heat treatment.

Spreading awareness about bedbugs is an important tool in preventing the spread of this pest. For decades, they were practically eliminated in industrialised nations, and people may not be aware of the symptoms of bedbug bites. If you see signs of an infestation, look into it. You’ll sleep better for it.




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