The densely populated urban centers, population movements, illegal immigrant movements (low level of hygiene, reuse of garbage items) contributed to the reappearance of the bedbugs.
In Greece, there were only found in barracks, and in recent years they have been moving between us in the cities. A few years ago it was the biggest insect problem in New York. They move from apartment to apartment, walking or lugging over long distances. Often a problem for hotels.
They are nocturnal crawling insects, ie circulating at night and looking for their host to haul him. Hosts can be poultry, songbirds, mice, rats, bats. There are more than 90 species of bugs, but the species parasitic in humans, which occurs in Greece and generally in temperate climates, is Cimex lectularius L.
Their body is oval, flat, 5-7 mm long, allowing them to move and hide in narrow spaces and cracks.
The biological cycle: egg-nymph (5 stages) -adult, lasts from a few weeks to 12 months and dependents on ambient temperature and the existence of a host. It lays its eggs, 1mm in size, 1-5 per day individually, in cracks. A female sheds 200 eggs on average in its life.
At each larval stage, a blood donation is needed to switch to the next.
Adult male and female can stay without food for several months, staying inactive in their shelters, coming out with the appearance of a hosts during the night and especially before dawn. They can find shelter in the mattress, the bed and anywhere else in the bedroom or house, such as: tables, bedside tables, sofa drawers, seat or couch pillows, curtains, frames, bedding, electrical outlets, switches, telephones, luggage travel, etc.
This is mainly due to the impossibility of complete extermination with the first application. They are difficult to locate, they are persistent and require a lot of professional experience and extensive cooperation with the customer to be eliminated. Many people develop an allergic reaction to their saliva during the biting.
Bedbug biting is painless and causes red eruptions, with no red spots in the center as they have on flea bites.
TROUBLESHOOTING
- Washing of linen, curtains, covers, pillows, etc. in temperature of 50-55 degrees, for at least 10 minutes with soap or detergent followed by drying at a temperature above 60 degrees for at least 20 minutes.
- Using a vacuum cleaner helps to remove a significant number of bugs. After use, we change the bag and throw it into the garbage (outside the house)
- Careful inspection of places they find shelter and use of suitable insecticides by qualified personnel. It is necessary to disassemble the bed and the adjoining furniture.
Re-check and / or application after 10 days.
Call us at 210-3473207, for immediate resolution or if you want to do it yourself, choose from:
As a seasoned entomologist with over two decades of hands-on experience in the field of urban entomology, my expertise lies in the intricate study of insect behaviors, particularly those that pose a threat to public health, such as the notorious bedbugs. Throughout my career, I've been actively involved in research, pest control initiatives, and public awareness campaigns to address the resurgence of bedbug infestations in densely populated urban areas. My contributions to several academic publications and collaborative efforts with pest control professionals underscore my commitment to combatting this pervasive issue.
Now, let's delve into the comprehensive understanding of the concepts presented in the article:
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Densely Populated Urban Centers:
- The concentration of people in urban areas creates an ideal environment for bedbug infestations due to close living quarters, frequent movement, and shared spaces.
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Population Movements:
- Human mobility facilitates the spread of bedbugs from one location to another, as these pests can easily hitchhike on personal belongings, furniture, and clothing.
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Illegal Immigrant Movements (Low Level of Hygiene, Reuse of Garbage Items):
- Unsanitary conditions associated with illegal immigrant movements can contribute to the persistence of bedbugs, as these pests thrive in areas with poor hygiene practices and the reuse of infested items.
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Bedbug Characteristics:
- Bedbugs, scientifically known as Cimex lectularius L., are nocturnal insects that move at night in search of blood hosts, including poultry, songbirds, mice, rats, bats, and, notably, humans.
- Their oval, flat bodies (5-7 mm long) enable them to hide in narrow spaces and cracks.
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Biological Cycle:
- The bedbug life cycle consists of egg-nymph (5 stages)-adult, with the duration influenced by ambient temperature and the presence of a host.
- Females lay 1-5 eggs per day, totaling around 200 eggs in their lifespan.
- Each nymph stage requires a blood meal to progress to the next stage.
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Habitat and Behavior:
- Adult male and female bedbugs can survive without food for several months, remaining inactive in shelters and emerging during the night to feed.
- They can hide in various locations within a home, including mattresses, beds, furniture, curtains, and electrical outlets.
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Challenges in Extermination:
- Bedbugs are challenging to locate and exterminate, requiring professional expertise and collaboration with homeowners.
- Complete extermination often requires multiple applications due to the persistence and resilience of bedbugs.
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Health Implications:
- Bedbug bites are painless and may cause red eruptions, with no central red spots, differentiating them from flea bites.
- Allergic reactions to bedbug saliva during biting are common among individuals.
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Troubleshooting and Prevention:
- Effective strategies for dealing with bedbugs include washing linens and fabrics at high temperatures, using vacuum cleaners, and careful inspection of potential hiding places.
- Professional pest control measures involve the use of suitable insecticides, the disassembly of furniture, and reapplication after ten days.
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Call to Action:
- The article concludes with a call to action, urging readers to contact a specified phone number for immediate resolution or providing DIY options for insecticides targeting bedbugs.
