Bedbug Infestation: A Campus Pandemic (I)

 SADIK, Omolola Rukayat 

The mere mention of the word ‘bedbug’ makes many people itch. This highly evasive creature thrives in crowded places such as “apartments, shelters, rooming houses, hotels, cruise ships, cabs, buses, trains, and dorm rooms.” They spread rapidly from room to room, and since our halls of residence house so many students, they are the right breeding ground for infestations. A single student with an untreated infestation can cause a widespread problem. If left unchecked, an infestation in one room can quickly escalate, affecting the entire floor, the entire block, or even the entire hall of residence.

Their primary method of spreading between placels is through human activity. Bedbugs can easily attach to your clothes. This way, you would unknowingly transport them from an infested place and introduce them to new locations. Bed bugs may not be able to fly or jump, but they can crawl swiftly across surfaces. They can crawl on the walls, so if any of your roommates have bedbugs on their beds, do not think you are automatically free from an infestation because you avoid their beds and they avoid yours. According to a publication by Ecoguard Pest Management, bedbugs can exploit cracks and openings in walls, floors, and ceilings to spread from room to room or even between different floors of a building

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention states that bedbugs are tiny, reddish-brown, parasitic insects from the genus Cimex, who are micropredators that feed on blood, usually at night. They are not only a nuisance to human society; they can also be a real headache to get rid of. Fortunately, “bedbug bites are not known to transmit any infectious disease.” However, the impacts of a bedbug infestation extend beyond physical discomfort. Bedbug infestation can lead to stress and anxiety. Their bites cause itchy welts, skin irritation, and sleepless nights. In extreme cases, bedbug infestation can cause anaemia.

Recognising the Signs

To prevent the spread of bedbugs, you must first recognise the signs of an infestation in your corner. However, recognising the signs of an infestation is difficult. These blood-sucking insects hide during the day in the seams of mattresses, bunks, bed frames, tables, or inside cracks or crevices, making them difficult to spot. Nevertheless, here are some telltale signs you can look out for. Recognising these signs early can help you take immediate action to address the problem before you infest another person or room.

Red, itchy bites: The most obvious sign of bedbugs is a continuous experience of bites that occur while you are asleep. We often tend to dismiss bites that occur while we sleep as mosquito bites. However, this is not always the case. Bedbug bites often appear in clusters or in a line. These bites occur on exposed areas of the body, such as the arms, legs, or neck. The bites may be red and itchy, causing discomfort. Unlike mosquito bites, bedbug bites can remain for several days and may become inflamed or infected if scratched. If you continuously experience bites at night or even during the day while you sleep, then it is time to examine your bed for bedbugs and signs of bedbug activity.

Small, dark spots (faecal matter): Bedbugs leave behind small dark stains, which people often mistake for dirt or old. These stains are actually bedbug faecal matter. They look like small black or brown dots. These stains can be on your mattresses, foam, or bedcovers. If you notice these spots, it is a clear indication that bedbugs may be present in your space.

Shed skins or tiny white eggs: Bedbugs shed their skins as they grow, and you may find these skins in the edges, seams, or folds of your bed. In addition, you can find their tiny white eggs in similar places. These eggs are about the size of a pinhead, and you can barely spot them without close inspection.

Speaking with AFAS Press, a 400-level student who chooses to be anonymous, expressed her experience with what she described as “a nightmare.” In her words, “Someone brought the bedbug to our room. It started from one of my roommate’s beds, and it ended up spreading to everyone’s bed. The bedbug issue is a whole lot. Just recently, someone mentioned in my press organisation meeting that bedbugs are in some departmental libraries. A friend said that they are in Kenneth Dike Library. In my hall, there are strong claims that bedbugs are in the reading rooms. Honestly, bedbug infestation is a whole, frustrating lot inside UI.” 

Now, the big question remains, “Is it possible to keep these pests out of your room and your life?”