You aren't imagining it: Bedbugs ARE having a moment right now
Bedbugs are having a moment.
In late September 2023, they reached record numbers in France. Then, a few weeks later, a library in West London, UK closed due to a bedbug infestation.
The problem isn't isolated to Europe - experts say we're amid a global bedbug resurgence following a few years of relative calm, thanks to COVID-induced lockdowns that limited travel and therefore, the spread of bedbugs.
As for Canada? We have a problem here, too. Especially in cities like Toronto and Vancouver, two of the "bedbuggiest" cities in the country, according to pest control company Orkin Canada.
Ontario seems to be the province with the biggest bedbug problem overall, with 8 out of Canada's top 10 bedbug hotspots showing up in the province.
So why do bedbugs keep turning up in public places?
"I think it's a case of people not being as careful and traveling a lot more," Sandy Smith, a forestry professor at the University of Toronto, tells The Weather Network.
"They're always out there and can survive in these conditions that we live in because they're human specialists."
Bedbugs are small, wingless creatures that feed on the blood of sleeping humans and animals. They can reach lengths up to 10 mm and resemble apple seeds.
These stealthy pests can readily hitch rides from one room to another via clothing, backpacks, and other objects they can easily cling to. They struggle to attach themselves to smooth, metallic surfaces and cannot fly or leap.
Bedbugs will always be near humans because they need our blood to survive.
While they aren't known to transmit disease, their bites leave behind red, itchy marks.
Bedbugs and the weather
"Like all organisms, in all insects, they have an optimal range. Our household temperatures are about right for them," Sandy says.
Adult bedbugs usually live around ten months, though they can extend their longevity to a year or even more inside a hospitable home with temperatures between 21°C and 28°C.
They will hang out anywhere there are people -- like on subway trains, inside schools, and in hotels -- but they prefer to hang out near beds, hiding in mattress crevices.
Bedbugs can tolerate the cold, but if exposed to below-freezing temperatures for several days, they will die.
"We're blessed in Canada with a really cold winter," Sandy says, adding that putting your mattress outside for five days during a cold spell will kill them.
They don't do well in warmer temperatures, which can cause them to become dehydrated.
Bedbug FAQ
How do bedbugs get into my home? Once again, they're master hitchhikers. They can enter your home through clothing or backpacks, luggage, or purses placed on upholstered surfaces. They can also come into the home through infected furniture, according to the New York Department of Health.
How do I reduce the risk of bringing bedbugs home? Keep your bags or suitcases on stands when at hotels. When you return home, wash your clothes and place them in a hot dryer.
How do I confirm a bedbug infestation? You can see the bugs. You may also visit their droppings, eggs, or shed skin on your living spaces.
What do I do if I have bedbugs? Contact a reputable specialist with a proven track record of successful bedbug removal. Bedbug infestations can be challenging to eradicate, and professional assistance is often necessary for adequate control.
VIDEO: Canada's bedbug hotspots
Thumbnail image courtesy of Canva Pro. File photp.
