PestAway Pest Control Blog
Bedbug infestations had increased across the Australia
The bedbug is of widespread distribution around the world, but in earlier times it was much more frequently encountered than is the case nowadays, even though there has been a resurgence since about 2000. Australia has experienced a sudden and unexpected resurgence in bed bug infestations. It is not only the degree of the resurgence that has shocked and surprised many, but also the variety of places that bed bugs have come to infest and the widespread geographic spread of the insect.
A survey in 2006 revealed that infestations had increased across the nation by an average of 4,500% since the start of the decade. In response, a multi-disciplinary approach to combat the rise of this public health pest was implemented and involved the coordinated efforts of several organizations.
Bedbugs are one of the true “bugs”, even though Bedbugs are not currently known to spread disease; the damages attributed to bed bugs can be significant. The bites of bedbugs can prove very irritating. They are nocturnal bloodsuckers at all stages of their development, so a substantial infestation can lead to much biting and annoyance. Historically they are associated with the sleeping quarters of hotels, taverns, inns, hostels and other dormitory-type facilities. In domestic residences, any infestation is usually centred on the bedrooms.
The activity of bedbugs in premises is usually detected by the irritation caused to sleepers, although blood spots on the sheets may be the first indication. In infested premises, evidence of activity can include: live bugs hiding in cracks and crevices in furniture, behind skirting and architraves, among books, behind wallpaper, in bedding, especially in grooves and alongside piping in the mattress, and in other harbourages; eggs cemented to similar surfaces; cast skins; small dark-brown excreta marks on sheets, walls and other surfaces and, in the case of heavy infestation, a sickly sweet “buggy odour”. This odour is caused by body secretions, but may be masked by other odours prevalent in unclean premises.
When the bedbug bites its victim, salvia with anticoagulant properties is injected. The bugs have a tendency to “test bite”, which often results in a line of bites. For some people, the bite is painless and there is no allergic reaction. However, many people react with local swelling at the site of the bites, followed by mild to severe itching and irritation.
An essential first step in the control of bedbugs in buildings is to determine the extent of infestation by careful inspection. All possible hiding places should be inspected, including furniture, wall linings, skirtings, architraves, curtain rods, light fittings, picture frames, picture railings, shelves, appliances and bedding, including mattress. Every crack, crevice and fold must be inspected. PestAway Australia provides fast and effective bedbug inspection and control in Melbourne and greater Victoria.
The key components of the strategy and multi-disciplinary approach to combat the rise of this public health pest, bedbug, included the introduction of a pest management standard “A Code of Practice for the Control of Bed Bug Infestations in Australia” that defines and promotes “best practice” in bed bug eradication. The Code of Practice for the Control of Bed Bug Infestations in Australia was developed under the auspices of the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association (AEPMA), the peak industry body for pest controllers (The concept of a bed bug industry standard was first outlined at the 2005 annual AEPMA conference).
PestAway is AEPMA certified, provides professional bed bug control services (homes, residential and commercial buildings, and hotels) and practices Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which stipulates that PestAway inspects and monitors your home and property first, and then eliminates sources for bedbug activity and recommends any repairs needed to keep bed bugs out. If any pest-control materials are needed to be used, PestAway Australia will apply them in a way that minimizes any risk to you, your family, your pets or the environment.
Click here for more details about bedbug control.
If you are in need of a bedbug inspection or control, please contact PestAway Australia.
Posted by PestAway Australia on 18th June, 2012 | Comments
Tags: There are no comments for this post Post a CommentHTML is not allowed in comments, http://... will be automatically linked.
|
|
