‘Super’ bedbugs are becoming resistant to treatment – Stock Daily Dish

Global travellers to blame for the rise of super bedbugs resistant to common treatments and theyre causing a surge in bumps, blisters and blood spots

Global travel is to blame for an astronomical rise in bedbugs, as the critters hitch a ride on travellers clothing and bags.

The blood-sucking bugs are also becoming resistant to insecticides, further fueling their rising numbers.

Scientists are warning pest controllers may have to rely less on chemical warfare to kill off the pests.

Instead, they should try vacuuming, steam or heat cleaning, anti-bedbug mattress covers and pest traps.

A previous report claims the number of bedbugs call outs in London last year soared by 108 per cent.

Bedbug bites themselves are painless and do not spread disease.

Yet, a reaction can occur within minutes or as long as two weeks after youve been bitten.

Signs youve been bitten include:

Source: NHS Choices

Scientists at Purdue University, Indiana found early signs of resistance among bedbugs to two commonly used insecticides chlorfenapyr and bifenthrin.

Out of 10 bedbug populations collected across the US, three showed significantly reduced susceptibility to chlorfenapyr and five responded poorly to bifenthrin after seven days of exposure.

Bedbugs have already shown significant resistance to other common insecticides including deltamethrin and other treatments of the same class.

Bedbugs are oval-shaped, flat and up to 5mm long with a yellow-brown colour, causing them to resemble an apple seed.

Rather than living in beds, the bugs reside in nearby cracks and crevices and emerge at night to feast on their hosts blood after being attracted to their heat and carbon dioxide emissions.

Richard Conroy of the holiday illness company SickHoliday has the following bedbug advice for holidaymakers:

Firstly, dont assume that because youve booked into a swanky five-star resort that youre safe from bedbugs youre not.

When you get to the hotel, wherever it might be, use a torch to inspect the mattress and sheets.

Pay special attention to seams and crevices.

Put your dirty laundry in a plastic bag and keep it away from the floor.

If you suspect theyve invaded your clothes, make sure you wash or dry clean them before you return home.

While its vital homeowners are vigilant, its a myth that bedbugs only infest unclean areas.

Ranjen Gohri, pest control expert at the insurer 24|7 Home Rescue, said: Bedbugs arent attracted to dirt, so theyre not a sign of an unclean home, but clearing up any clutter will reduce the number of places they can hide.

Once in your home, bedbugs can quickly spread from room to room. Wait too long before you identify the problem and they could completely contaminate your home.

Inspect your mattress and bed regularly for signs of an infestation. Avoid buying second-hand mattresses and carefully inspect secondhand furniture before bringing it into your home.

He said: If you suspect youve been infected, the first thing you need to do is strip your bed and wash the sheets and blankets in hot water, before tumble drying for at least 30 minutes.

Better still get rid of them altogether by wrapping in bin bags and disposing in a bin.

Make sure you either throw your mattress away, or thoroughly vacuum it, and your carpet under your bed. Then make sure you take the vacuum outside and dispose of the contents.

Because 30 per cent of bedbugs live in your bed frame and headboard, its vital that you clean those thoroughly, too.

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'Super' bedbugs are becoming resistant to treatment - Stock Daily Dish