Bedbug Crisis Hits Malta? Local Exterminator ‘Can’t Believe How Many Reports’ He’s Been Receiving
As a “global resurgence” of bedbugs continues to dominate headlines following an explosion of reports in Paris earlier last month, it seems like the crisis may have already landed in Malta.
Speaking to Lovin Malta, Arnold Sciberras, a popular local biologist and exterminator, said he can’t believe just how many bedbug reports he’s been getting recently.
“It didn’t take long for a lesser wave to hit the Maltese islands” Sciberras said, referring to the reports coming from Paris and the ease with which such an infestation would be able to move via local transport systems, high-speed trains and extremely busy airports like Charles de Gaulle.
Indeed, the bedbug crisis caused a a political row as Paris City Hall said the invasion of bloodsucking insects must be tackled before next year’s Olympic Games and the transport minister summoned train and bus operators to prevent the bugs multiplying on seats.
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“The species that we have locally is the common bed bug – Cimex lectularius – known locally as Baqqa in Maltese,” Sciberras said. He went on to note that a rise in tourism most likely led to an increase in bedbugs in Malta.
“Since 2017, bedbugs have become quite a major crisis,” he continued.
“My hypothesis is that it’s caused by many foreigners coming from infected countries such as the UK, France and Poland,” Sciberras went on.
“These organisms are carried involuntarily on their hosts from the infected countries. In fact, during COVID times, the species decreased again, only to rise slowly in 2022 and at a faster pace recently. So… ”
What are bedbugs exactly?
“These are insects that feed on human blood, usually at night,” Sciberras explained.
“Their bites can result in a number of health effects including skin rashes, psychological effects, and allergic symptoms. Bedbug bites may lead to skin changes ranging from non-visible to prominent blisters. Symptoms may take between minutes to days to appear. Itchiness is common, while some may feel tired or have a fever. Typically, uncovered areas of the body are affected and three bites occur in a row. Bites from these insects are not known to transmit any infectious disease.”
“Their size ranges between 1mm and 7mm,” he continued. “They spread by crawling to nearby locations or by being carried within personal items. Bedbugs spend much of their time in dark, hidden locations, like mattress seams or cracks in the wall.”
There are a few ways to get rid of bedbugs…
“Eliminating bed bugs from the home is often difficult, partly because bedbugs can survive up to 500 days without feeding,” Sciberras stressed.
“Repeated treatments of a room may be required, and these treatments may include heating the room for more than 90 minutes, frequent vacuuming, washing clothing at high temperatures, and the use of various pesticides only carried out by professionals.”
“The best way of avoiding getting bedbugs in your house is to avoid getting second-hand furniture, and avoid keeping foreign baggage overnight,” he said.
Have you ever had bedbugs in Malta? Tag someone who needs to check this out ASAP.
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