In the past month, there has been a surge of reports about bed bugs, resulting in numerous photos and videos circulating on social media platforms. To shed light on the areas in the UK that are most affected by these blood-sucking insects, researchers at Merlin Environmental analyzed Google search data. By comparing the number of bed bug-related searches with the population size, they identified the UK’s hot spots for bed bug infestations. Out of the 20 largest cities in the UK, four were classified as having a “very high infestation,” and London claimed the undesirable title of the “Bed Bug Capital” of Britain. Interestingly, the study revealed that smaller cities also experience high levels of infestation. Curious to know if your city made the list? Take a look at the map below, which showcases the 20 largest cities in the UK ranked according to their bed bug infestation rates relative to their population sizes. London seemed to follow in Paris’ footsteps, as recent footage emerged of bed bugs infesting the underground and buses. Who would have thought that Leicester, the 13th most populous city, would take the second spot in terms of infestation rates? Manchester came in third, with Wakefield boasting the lowest rate of bed bug problems among the surveyed cities.
Bed bugs may sound like a plague that is too ominous to be true, but their prevalence in the UK is becoming a growing public health concern. Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, expressed his genuine concern about the possibility of bed bug infestation on the London Underground. Following the massive bed bug outbreak in Paris, Khan has been in contact with French officials to exchange information on the matter. Shockingly, a viral video captured a bed bug crawling on a passenger’s leg in the London Victoria Line, and similar incidents have been reported on Manchester bus services. Dr. Richard Naylor, an etymologist from the Bed Bug Foundation, explained that bed bugs were once more common in London, with almost every house in the city infested in the 1930s. However, after World War II, efforts to improve living conditions significantly reduced their numbers. Despite their decline, bed bug populations began increasing rapidly in the late 90s worldwide. The Covid-19 pandemic briefly impeded their spread due to travel restrictions, but the remaining bed bug populations have become highly resistant to pesticides used for treatment, making them harder to eradicate. Dr. Naylor noted that multiple factors contribute to the success of bed bugs, such as their ability to thrive in densely populated areas. They easily spread through apartment buildings and sheltered housing complexes, infesting entire buildings over time. Additionally, their reproduction and feeding rates are influenced by temperature, with warmer weather making it easier for them to thrive and reproduce. The ongoing climate change may exacerbate the bed bug problem. To combat bed bug infestations, chemical treatments using pyrethroids are commonly used, as older chemicals like DDT were banned due to their impact on British birds of prey. However, bed bugs have developed resistance to pyrethroids, leading to less effective treatments. Surviving individuals with resistance often establish new infestations in neighboring areas, resulting in more resistant populations. Bed bugs can travel up to 100 feet per hour, allowing them to move from room to room in search of a host. Due to their paper-thin bodies, they can hide in the smallest cracks and crevices, making them challenging to detect. They often hitch a ride in clothing or luggage, enabling them to spread when humans travel. These nocturnal insects find their hosts by sensing the carbon dioxide emitted from our breath, even in complete darkness. A female bed bug typically lays one egg per day, with a maximum of seven under favorable conditions. The eggs resemble grains of sand and take 10-15 days to hatch. To locate bed bugs, specially trained dogs that can detect the bugs’ communication pheromones are often employed. With their speed and ability to hide, bed bugs pose a significant challenge when it comes to eradication efforts.
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