City dubbed 'Disneyland for bed bugs' with pest killers bracing for new outbreak
A world-famous city has been nicknamed "Disneyland for bed bugs" as pest control services are overwhelmed with calls.
Hong Kong's residents are in a state of panic, making hundreds of calls daily to exterminate the bugs from their homes and businesses. This comes after the UK and parts of Europe battled a bed bug invasion that left many with itchy red spots.
Francisco Pazos, owner of Nobedbugs-HK, has spoken out about the seriousness of the situation. He usually receives around 400 requests per month, but told South China Morning Post he had done a "month's work in the last three days". "The amount of work we have right now is unbelievable", he added.
Hong Kong's residents are in a state of panic (AFP via Getty Images)Likening the situation to a theme park for the tiny pests, he said: "Hong Kong is like Disneyland for bed bugs... because it is so dense, there are lots of places for them to lay eggs but also move from person to person. This demonstrates the significant level of concern among Hong Kong citizens regarding the widespread bed bug issue and their proactive approach in acquiring appropriate products to prevent infestations."
Henry Cheng Kwok-hang, owner of Ivy Pest Control Corporation, revealed that his workload has doubled due to the infestation, reports the Daily Star. But he said there was some hope for the next few months as the weather becomes cooler and humidity decreases, which is "not a suitable climate for many insects, including bed bugs."
"Insecticide powder and liquid available over the counter are effective in killing bed bugs if used correctly nevertheless, the application should be carried out by professional pest control operators who have experience in searching infested sites.", he said. Bed bugs live in tiny cracks and crevices in the bedroom, usually around the bed frame, and are about the width of a credit card. They are pale brown in colour when not eating, but turn a reddish brown colour when fully fed on blood. While they aren’t necessarily dangerous, they can be very annoying, and leave people with a bad reaction to their bites.
'Council had to move us from our flat because of bedbugs – it was horrific'
A bite is usually small, flat or raised areas of the skin that appear red or blistered. These bites might become inflamed or itchy, and it may take a few days for the bite to appear on the skin. One of the strongest signs of a bed bug infestation in a room is an unusual odour with no other obvious cause. This is often described as a musty, sweet smell. Other signs that there bed bugs in a room include dark blood stains on sheets and bedding, as well as poo from the insects, which look like small brown spots.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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