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Bed bug infestations 'increasing' | Bed bug infestations 'increasing' |
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There has been a massive increase in the number of bed bug infestations, according to a survey. | There has been a massive increase in the number of bed bug infestations, according to a survey. |
Statistics from councils in London and the Midlands show the rate increased three-fold in the last decade. | Statistics from councils in London and the Midlands show the rate increased three-fold in the last decade. |
The figures were obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by Bed Bugs Limited, which says the insects "breed at a phenomenal rate". | The figures were obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by Bed Bugs Limited, which says the insects "breed at a phenomenal rate". |
Bed bugs are insects that commonly hide in mattresses and carpets and in the crevices of furniture. | Bed bugs are insects that commonly hide in mattresses and carpets and in the crevices of furniture. |
They are a reddish-brown colour, oval-shaped insect that can grow to a quarter of an inch long. | They are a reddish-brown colour, oval-shaped insect that can grow to a quarter of an inch long. |
They cannot fly and survive by sucking blood from a host animal, mainly at night. | They cannot fly and survive by sucking blood from a host animal, mainly at night. |
There are distinct hotspots in highly populated areas, with lots of multi-occupancy housing where the bugs can easily spread from one household to another. | There are distinct hotspots in highly populated areas, with lots of multi-occupancy housing where the bugs can easily spread from one household to another. |
Bed bugs spread on clothes, bags and in furniture when it is moved. | Bed bugs spread on clothes, bags and in furniture when it is moved. |
They do not choose a dirty home over a clean one - all they are interested in is your blood. | They do not choose a dirty home over a clean one - all they are interested in is your blood. |
BED BUG SIGNS Bed bugs are not known to carry diseases, but many people develop an itchy swelling when bittenCheck bed and furniture for black dots, which are bed bug faecesCheck sheets for blood, as feeding bugs can be rolled on and squashed | BED BUG SIGNS Bed bugs are not known to carry diseases, but many people develop an itchy swelling when bittenCheck bed and furniture for black dots, which are bed bug faecesCheck sheets for blood, as feeding bugs can be rolled on and squashed |
Microbiologist for Bed Bugs Limited, David Cain, said: "If exposed, anyone can bring them home and quickly have a problem, as they breed at a phenomenal rate." | Microbiologist for Bed Bugs Limited, David Cain, said: "If exposed, anyone can bring them home and quickly have a problem, as they breed at a phenomenal rate." |
It is thought that one of the reasons for the rise is increased travelling. | It is thought that one of the reasons for the rise is increased travelling. |
There are corridors of infestations that radiate out from airports like Heathrow and Gatwick, which support the theory that bedbugs have been brought back to this country from countries where they have never been eradicated. | There are corridors of infestations that radiate out from airports like Heathrow and Gatwick, which support the theory that bedbugs have been brought back to this country from countries where they have never been eradicated. |
Experts say they are also spread on public transport and short of decontaminating passengers every time they get on a bus, train or plane it would be impossible to stop them spreading. | Experts say they are also spread on public transport and short of decontaminating passengers every time they get on a bus, train or plane it would be impossible to stop them spreading. |
The advice from Mr Cain is "don't sit down". But the epidemic is not just a British problem. | The advice from Mr Cain is "don't sit down". But the epidemic is not just a British problem. |
The World Health Organisation says there are infestations in many cities throughout Europe and North America, where bed bugs have been stopped in the past through the use of strong pesticides like DDT, many of which are now longer used. | The World Health Organisation says there are infestations in many cities throughout Europe and North America, where bed bugs have been stopped in the past through the use of strong pesticides like DDT, many of which are now longer used. |
In April this year the US government hosted its first ever bed bug conference after the insects re-emerged in dormitories, hospitals, shelters and hotels in several cities. | |
Michael Hann, the Guardian's film and music editor, and his family have been plagued by bed bugs at their home in north London. | |
His wife and son developed rashes after being bitten. | |
He said: "We had exterminators come into treat, and after they had gone away I took away my daughter's wooden-framed bed. | |
"Even leaving aside the dead bug bugs that came out, falling out on to the white sheets I had laid down were, I would say, 40-50 live bed bugs that came out of her bed - all filled with blood." |