Bed Bug Infestation Surge in Lincolnshire
Bed bugs have been giving sleepless nights in Lincolnshire, with a growing number of commercial establishments, including schools and medical centres, getting infested. The increased incidence of bed bugs in the county has been confirmed by a local pest control expert.
Norman Howie, Head of Operations at pest control company Xeric Ltd, based in Sturton by Stow, Lincolnshire, explained that bed bugs are frequently found in hotel beds, office blocks, schools, medical practices, pubs, and care homes across the county.
"We have dealt with bed bugs across Lincolnshire in hotel beds, office blocks, schools, medical practices, pubs and care homes. People think they are only in beds but they aren't," Howie explained. He added,
"They can latch onto a suitcase or clothing. People might have them in their homes and not even realise."
Addressing the widespread myth that bed bugs only infest beds, Howie clarified that they could also latch onto suitcases or clothing. This could inadvertently result in homes being infested without the residents realising it.
Ease of Treatment and Preventative Measures
Bed bug infestations can be dealt with by pest control teams within a few days. However, an infestation can still cause significant disruption to businesses or households. The most effective method of eradication involves the use of heat treatments. Xeric Ltd utilises a specialised portable heat system which pumps jet streams through insulated pipes to exterminate the bugs. The system can heat spaces to controlled temperatures of around 58 degrees for four hours.
Mentioning dual challenges that have hit Lincolnshire simultaneously, Howie mentioned, "Bed bugs and flooding has come at the same time, it's quite extraordinary."
Insecticide Resistance and Impact
Due to the growing issue of insecticide resistance among bed bugs, alternative methods of control are being actively sought, informed Dr Richard Naylor, director at the Bed Bug Foundation. Meanwhile, he also highlighted that while there's minimal evidence of bed bugs transmitting diseases, their presence severely impacts mental health.
"The key thing with bedbugs is the mental health impacts which can be really severe. As people who get bedbugs tend to have a lot of shame about it,” Dr Naylor, who completed a PhD in bedbug ecology at the University of Sheffield, explained.
Living Bed Bug Free
Prevention remains better than cure, and as part of preventative measures, Dr Naylor suggested keeping bags away from beds when visiting hotels or hospitals could reduce the chance of bed bug infestation.