The bedbug crisis that plagued France, the United Kingdom and other European countries not only has not eased, but has now spread to South Korea. The South Korean government is facing a formidable enemy and the people are in panic. Many people are afraid to go to the cinema and would rather stand on the subway.
The Seoul City Government is committed to preventing bedbug infestations in facilities such as subways and cinemas, which are frequently used by citizens. （Credit: Seoul City Government）
South Korea has become the latest country to declare war on bedbugs following a wave of outbreaks, with bathhouses, university dorms, and train stations across the country on high alert.
Following the infestation of bed bugs in many countries, South Korea has recently become another country that has declared war on bed bugs. Bathhouses, university dormitories and train stations across South Korea are on high alert for bed bugs and are on alert.
Thirty suspected or confirmed infestations have been reported since the end of October, prompting the government to announce a four-week campaign aimed at eradicating the bloodsucking pests.
By the end of October, 30 suspected or confirmed bedbug infestations had been reported, prompting the South Korean government to announce a four-week deworming plan.
Previously, the country had been practically free of bedbugs following past extermination campaigns, with just nine infestations being reported to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention (KDCA) since 2014.
Previously, after multiple rounds of pest eradication campaigns, bed bugs have been basically eliminated in South Korea. Since 2014, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has only received 9 reports of bed bug infections.
The sudden resurgence of the pests, which follows reports of similar outbreaks in France and the United Kingdom and an increase in cases in the United States, is spreading alarm among members of the public, with social media awash with pictures and accounts of people’s encounters with the insects.
Following the proliferation of bed bugs in France and the UK, and the increasing number of bed bugs in the United States, the sudden spread of bed bugs in South Korea has panicked the public, and social media is full of pictures and descriptions of people encountering bed bugs.
Pest control firms have reported being inundated with requests for help while some websites have created dedicated sections to the problem, offering users a place to share tips on how to deal with the pests, with suggestions ranging from avoiding the cinema to standing on public transport.
Pest control companies report receiving overwhelming requests to remove pests, and some websites have dedicated a section to bed bugs, where users can share advice on how to deal with bed bugs, such as not going to movie theaters or standing on public transportation. .
Some of the comments reflect both the fear and confusion of a public that has largely not needed to deal with the pests for many years.
Some of the comments reflect panic and confusion among South Koreans, most of whom have not had to deal with bed bugs in years.
“Should I throw away all electronics if I spot a bedbug,” asked a user on one website, while another wondered: “If I put double-sided tape around my mattress, would that stop the bugs getting on me?”
One user asked on one site: “If I see a bed bug, should I throw out all my electronics?” Another user wondered: “What if I wrap double-sided tape around my mattress?” , will the bed bugs not be able to bite me?”
Another said simply: “I’d rather have the Covid than bedbugs.”
Another simply said: “I’d rather get COVID than get bitten by bed bugs.”
While bedbugs do not spread diseases, the itching from their bites can cause a loss of sleep and secondary skin infections if people scratch them too hard. Being bitten by one of the insects – which are less than 1 cm (0.3 inch) in diameter – can also be seen as socially embarrassing.
Although bed bugs do not spread disease, the itching of bed bug bites can lead to insomnia and secondary skin infections if people scratch too hard. Being bitten by a bedbug (less than 1 centimeter in diameter) can be embarrassing.
In the capital of Seoul, the city government is launching a new “Bedbug Reporting and Management System” and a “Zero Bedbugs City, Seoul” initiative, under which it says it will inspect 3,175 lodging facilities, bathhouses, and jjimjilbangs (Korean saunas with rooms of varying temperatures).
In Seoul, the capital of South Korea, the city government released a new “Bed Bug Reporting and Management System” and a “Zero Bed Bug City Plan”, which will inspect 3,175 accommodation facilities, bathhouses and saunas.
The city has said it will also provide pest control support for small housing units known as jjokbang or gosiwon, which typically measure around 3-6 square meters (30-60 square feet) and house some of Seoul’s poorest residents.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it will provide pest control support for small houses such as the Examination Hall, which are usually only 3 to 6 square meters and are where some of the poorest people in Seoul live.
Other areas deemed high-risk include subways and cinemas. The government says its campaign will include periodic steam-cleaning of subway seats.
Other high-risk areas include subways and movie theaters. The government said the deworming campaign will include regular steam cleaning of subway seats.
“Bedbugs are developing resistance to the insecticides that we commonly use, so the most effective solution these days is heating. It turns out that a temperature of about 45 degrees Celsius can kill the bugs and the eggs,” said Lee Si-hyeock, professor of Agricultural Biotechnology at Seoul National University.
Lee Si-hyuk, a professor at the Department of Agricultural Biotechnology at Seoul National University, said: “Bed bugs have become resistant to our commonly used insecticides, so the most effective method now is high-temperature insecticide. Practice has proven that temperatures of about 45 degrees Celsius can kill bed bugs and Insect eggs.”
He said using a dryer or an iron could be an effective method for eliminating bedbugs and their eggs from fabric.
Professor Li pointed out that using a dryer or iron can effectively kill bed bugs and insect eggs on fabrics.
In its “Bedbug Prevention and Response Guidelines,” the Seoul City Government advises people against bringing items with a risk of infestation into their homes. It says high risk items include used furniture and old books.
In its “Guidelines for Bed Bug Prevention and Response,” the Seoul Metropolitan Government advises people not to bring home items that pose a risk of bed bug infestation. Such high-risk items include used furniture and old books.
“Repairing damaged areas such as cracks and wallpaper can minimize potential bedbug habitats,” it adds.
The guide also states: “Repairing damaged areas, such as cracks and wallpaper, can eliminate as many potential bed bug habitats as possible.”
English source: CNN
Translator & Editor: Dani
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2023-11-10 08:57:00
