To avoid bites on cinema nights, trousers are your best protection, as bedbugs cannot bite through fabric. But experts say more thorough measures are needed to keep the pests out of one's home.
Mr Ivan Goh, general manager of Q-Vector Pest Management, said bedbugs usually enter one's home via people who travel or those who pick up infested items and take them home. He does not recommend tackling bedbug infestations without professional help. "Often the anti-bedbug sprays you buy from stores kill only live bedbugs, but not the eggs. You should engage a licensed pest controller."
Placing contaminated items under direct hot sunlight will kill bedbugs. Certain items may be infested beyond rescue and have to be discarded. Mr Goh suggests they be treated with anti-bedbug spray and wrapped up before disposal. He urged cinemagoers to check their clothing after a movie. Signs of infestation include small black droppings on bedsheets.
Some Singapore pest control firms report increase in bedbug infestations, expect more to come
One way to avoid bringing the pests home from overseas is to soak clothes and other items in water hotter than 60 degrees Celsius, said one expert
As bedbugs cause bedlam in other parts of the world, major pest control firms are reporting an increase in infestation numbers here and predicting that there will be more to come.
In the past two months, cases at Aardwolf Pestkare have increased by around 40 per cent. The firm’s sales manager Pierce Chan noted that there is a global resurgence, with Paris and South Korea experiencing infestations. However, travellers to any part of the world need to be wary, he said. “Personal hygiene is a very important factor. We just have to keep a lookout to places that we travel, especially in hotel rooms and the things that we are going to bring back from overseas,” he said.
At Pestbusters, there has been a 10 to 15 per cent increase in the number of enquiries and cases over the past six months. “It's been increasing steadily and I suspect that it could maybe still increase slightly based on the holiday season being around the corner,” said Mr Joachim Lee, an entomologist at the firm. Similarly, Mr Chan expects a 20 to 30 per cent increase in the number of infestations here in the first quarter of 2024, after people return from their trips overseas during the December school holidays.
How to check for bedbugs when you travel – and avoid bringing them home
Bedbugs seen in the seams of a sofa bed, in L'Hay-les-Roses, near Paris, France, Sep 29, 2023. (Photo: Reuters/Stephanie Lecocq)
Seen the news about a bedbug infestation in Paris? Or trending videos on TikTok of the pests scurrying out from under train seats in the City of Light?
With the French capital having recently hosted Fashion Week and the Rugby World Cup, there are growing fears of the bedbug problem spreading globally as visitors return home with the creepy-crawlies in their clothes and cases. French authorities have insisted that not a single bedbug has been found by sniffer dogs deployed to the public metro. Yet reported sightings over in London prompted Mayor Sadiq Khan to state on Tuesday (Oct 10) that the situation was "a real source of concern".
For those who might be travelling to the affected regions, here’s what you can do to (try and) protect yourself from the little pests.
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What you didn't know about bedbugs
We've all heard the familiar children's rhyme about bedbugs. But there's nothing like having to deal with an actual bedbug infestation! With the recent news of how bedbugs are crawling all over Paris, these pesky pests are making everyone worried ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics. But while it's normal to be completely creeped out by them, it's also important to note that bedbug outbreaks are incredibly common. What's more, having all your facts in order is important to properly deal with a bedbug outbreak.
Bedbugs are insects that feed on the blood of animals and humans. Adult bedbugs are reddish-brown, while younger ones are smaller and can appear translucent or yellowish. Bedbug eggs are tiny and white. The Latin name for bedbugs is Cimex lectularius, which means "bug of the bed." An adult bedbug is roughly five to seven millimeters long, or about the size of an apple seed. It can be difficult to spot bedbugs, since they're expert hiders. But if you notice tiny black flecks, then you can surely suspect bedbugs, as that's their fecal matter. Also, if you're looking for them, check crevices and creases in your mattress. Because bedbugs are nocturnal, they often hide in wall voids or other dark places, like cracks and crevices.
Bedbugs leave a cluster of itchy bites on your skin, often on your arms or shoulders. However, only 30% of humans exhibit any sort of signs of bedbug bites. Many simply don't have a reaction to their bites. While bedbugs carry disease, they don't transmit them to humans. However, possible excessive itching left from their bites can sometimes increase the chance of a secondary skin infection. Why do bedbugs enjoy invading our beds? Well, they’re attracted to the carbon dioxide that humans exhale. This is why they'll often hide in the wall voids of our bedrooms and emerge during nighttime.
How to keep your home fly-free
When the warmer months come around, flies come too. Whether you live in a big city, the suburbs, or in the countryside, flies are everywhere. And although flies may not seem dangerous, they tend to carry diseases and filth with them, which can cause problems for your living environment, and the health of both you and your loved ones (including your pets).
Therefore, it's time that you learn how to get rid of the flies in your home. Browse through this gallery to discover how. Are flies harmful? - In many cases, flies won't do any harm. However, they can carry viruses and bacteria that can spread when they bite, such as cholera, E. coli, dysentery, and a tropical infection called yaws.
How to get rid of houseflies - Before you purchase a can of pesticide, try to get rid of flies naturally. There are various methods:
- Lavender - Lavender is an excellent way to repel flies. Its smell wards them away, simply because they can't stand the scent.
- Basil - Basil is another plant with a scent flies can't stand. You can use it in various areas throughout your home, such as near your food or your garbage cans.
- Vinegar and dish soap - Mix apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap in a tall glass. Cover the glass with plastic wrap. Secure the plastic wrap with a rubber band and poke small holes in the top. This will trap those small, annoying fruit flies.
- Cayenne pepper and water - Mix cayenne pepper with water and spray around the house to deter flies from coming in. Just be careful you don't get any in your eyes!
- Venus flytrap - Venus flytraps are carnivorous plants that eat insects, including flies. They will break down the insect over five to 12 days, and then spit out the exoskeleton.
- Natural trap bait - You can also use foods or drinks that are attractive to flies in order to trick them into a trap.
- Essential oils - Many essential oils have strong odors that chase flies away. Some good ones are clove oil, thyme oil, peppermint oil, lemongrass oil, and cinnamon oil.
- Insecticide and other repellents - In addition to natural ways to get rid of flies, you can use insecticides and traps to kill or remove them.
