The bedbug (cimex lectularius) have become one of the most vexatious pests on the planet. They are spreading at an enormous pace throughout the World and Ireland has not escaped. In fact, the concern now is the aggravating factor that they are now being found in other locations beyond the bedroom. In the U.S., for example, bedbugs have been found in schools, theatres and libraries.
The bedbug is a great hitch hiker and can survive without a blood feed for a very long time – up to a year or more. This, of course, is their main source of sustenance and they emerge at night, attracted by the heat and CO2 of the human host, and climb on to the skin to feed. They firstly inject an anaesthetic under the skin of the host body before feeding, thus making it less likely that the host will be disturbed. Once engorged on the blood of their victim, they return to harbourage for the night.
Typically, the bedbug will infest mattresses and bed bases but can also be found in the cracks and crevices of occasional furniture, behind skirting boards, in the folds of curtains, behind headboards, in bedside lamps, telephones and, sometimes, within the binding of a book. In short, they can be found almost everywhere. They will climb on to luggage thus enabling the spread of the bug to hotels, guest houses and private homes.
Bedbugs can only be effectively eliminated by professional means. There are no products available to deal with them on a DIY basis and the longer bedbug activity is ignored, the more serious the infestation will become. They are rapid breeders and victims testify to the very uncomfortable itchiness and soreness after being in contact with bedbugs. Sometimes, there can be a delayed reaction to bedbugs thus making it very difficult to pin down the precise location of contact.
A good tip is never to place your luggage on the bed after you arrive at any destination. Leave it in the wardrobe until you have had at least one peaceful night’s sleep. If you have not been bitten on the first night, you are highly unlikely to be sharing your room with bedbugs.
Inspections for suspected bedbug activity must be extraordinarily thorough.