Pesticide-proof bedbugs now in majority of Seoul’s 25 districts

Bedbugs have made appearances in several areas in Seoul after a private pest control company carried out a total of 24 exterminations in 13 districts, more than half of Seoul’s 25 district.

Pest control workers and dormitory staff disinfect a dormitory at Keimyung University to get rid of bedbugs on Oct. 19. [YONHAP]

Bedbugs have crawled their way in several areas in Seoul, after discoveries of the pests were made in Incheon and Daegu this month.

A private pest control company carried out a total of 24 exterminations in 13 districts, more than half of Seoul’s 25 districts, during October according to Channel A’s report on Monday.

The bedbugs mostly appeared in homes or gosiwon, small living and studying spaces primarily meant for students.

A tenant living in a gosiwon in Yeongdeungpo district first submitted a complaint upon discovering bedbugs on blankets and the floor. Upon arrival, workers from the community health center discovered bedbugs in four separate rooms.

“It is recommended to spray household pesticides containing permethrin on bedding, then air it out after it is completely dry,” said the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) on how to prevent bedbug bites.

The bedbugs are thought to be coming from overseas, with experts seeing the recent increase in bedbugs correlated to the increase in international travel, trade and immigration. This specific type of bedbugs, which are currently widespread in the West, are also considered by experts to be a variant that has become resistant to pesticide.

Bedbugs stay hidden during the day in places such as mattresses and sofas, and come out at night to feed on the blood of humans. Their bite leaves a bright red rash on human skin, accompanied by an irritating itch. In the worst cases, it can also cause a high fever.

The pests can survive up to 100 days without feeding. Unlike mosquitoes, they can immediately start feeding on blood right after they hatch from eggs.

BY KIM JU-YEON [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]