South Korea Takes Aggressive Measures Against Escalating Bedbug Infestation
South Korea battles a surge in bedbug cases, prompting a nationwide crusade against these pests Bathhouses, dormitories, and train stations are on high alert as the country strives to tackle this growing issue
South Korea recently joined the list of countries combatting bedbug infestations, as a surge of outbreaks affected bathhouses, university dormitories, and train stations nationwide. As a response, the government launched a four-week campaign with the goal of eliminating these bloodsucking pests, after receiving reports of thirty suspected or confirmed infestations since the end of October.
Prior to this, the country was mostly bedbug-free after previous extermination efforts, with only nine infestations reported to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention (KDCA) since 2014. However, there has been a sudden reappearance of these pests, causing concern among the public. This resurgence is accompanied by reports of similar outbreaks in France and the United Kingdom, as well as an increase in cases in the United States. Social media is currently flooded with images and personal stories of encounters with these insects, further fueling the alarm.
Pest control companies are receiving an overwhelming number of requests for assistance, as individuals seek help in dealing with the problem. Certain websites have even dedicated sections to address this issue, providing users with a platform to share tips on how to tackle pests. These suggestions vary from avoiding going to the cinema to standing on public transportation. The comments received demonstrate the mixture of fear and confusion experienced by a public who hadn't encountered pests in a significant period of time.
One website user inquired, "If I come across a bedbug, should I discard all electronics?" Meanwhile, another contemplated, "Could placing double-sided tape around my mattress prevent the bugs from reaching me?" Lastly, someone straightforwardly expressed their preference, stating, "I would rather have Covid than deal with bedbugs."
Fear of stigma
Experts indicate that the ongoing outbreak is expected to deteriorate prior to improvement. This observation is attributed to people's apprehension of being stigmatized in case of being bitten, which contributes to heightened concern.
Bedbugs do not transmit diseases, but they can cause discomfort and disturb sleep due to their itchy bites. If individuals scratch the bites excessively, it may lead to secondary skin infections. Additionally, being bitten by these small insects, which are less than 1 cm (0.3 inch) in diameter, may be considered socially embarrassing.
The official mentioned that private pest control companies are being collaborated with by the government to acquire a deeper understanding of the situation. This is crucial as there may be individuals who are hesitant to report cases directly to the authorities due to concerns about potential negative effects on their businesses or reputations.
Deputy Minister for Ecological Transition Clement Beaune at the Elysee Palace following the Council of Ministers meeting in Paris on September 20, 2023. (Photo credit: Andrea Savorani Neri/NurPhoto/Getty Images)
France pledges to take action as Paris faces a widespread infestation of bedbugs, leaving no one immune. This issue has raised such alarm with the South Korean government that it is fast-tracking the importation of more potent pesticides to ensure adequate control measures.
In the meantime, pest control companies report a significant increase in the number of phone calls they receive from individuals seeking assistance.
"Our company used to receive fewer than five annual calls regarding bedbugs, but now we are receiving two to three calls daily," stated Eom Hae-won, CEO of Incheon-based pest control firm, Choa Clean.
Due to the limited number of outbreaks in the country in recent years, local companies lack experience in effectively eradicating pests. Consequently, the available pesticides have proven to be less effective, as mentioned by Eom. Therefore, our purpose in collecting bedbugs is for research and experimentation.
Seoul searching for bedbugs
The city government of Seoul, in its effort to combat bedbug infestation, is introducing a novel approach called the "Bedbug Reporting and Management System" alongside the "Zero Bedbugs City, Seoul" initiative. As part of this initiative, the government plans to conduct inspections in a total of 3,175 lodging facilities, bathhouses, and jjimjilbangs (Korean saunas with rooms of varying temperatures).
"These special inspections will be ongoing during the year-end holiday season, especially in areas that have a large number of hotels and bathhouses, which are frequently visited by foreign residents," stated the city government in a press release.
The city has also pledged to offer pest control assistance for small living units known as jjokbang or gosiwon, which are usually around 3-6 square meters (30-60 square feet) in size and accommodate some of the most impoverished residents in Seoul.
Subways and cinemas are among the other high-risk areas. The government plans to conduct regular steam-cleaning of subway seats as part of their campaign. According to Park Yoo-mi, a senior health official in Seoul, bedbugs are not carriers of diseases. However, their blood-feeding habits can cause discomfort, allergies, and both psychological and economic harm.
How to beat the bugs
According to Seoul National University's Professor Lee Si-hyeock, his team of agricultural biotechnology researchers has observed significant insecticide resistance, even when insects are thoroughly immersed in a highly concentrated solution.
The issue of bedbug resistance demands more attention, as it has not received sufficient awareness thus far. According to Lee Hee-il, the division director of Vectors and Parasitic Disease at the KDCA, although the country has mostly been bedbug-free in recent years, there have been occasional instances.
He suggested that factors behind the outbreaks could include the increase in post-Covid travel and the insects growing resistance to pest-control measures.
M5E1CX Bed bug Cimex lectularius parasitic insects of the cimicid family feeds on human blood. Insect on the wall of the apartment
Tomasz Klejdysz/Alamy Stock Photo
Bedbugs have been found to be evolving resistance to commonly used insecticides, making heating the most effective solution. Research suggests that a temperature of approximately 45 degrees Celsius can effectively eliminate both the bedbugs and their eggs.
According to him, utilizing a dryer or iron can effectively eliminate both bedbugs and their eggs from fabric.
"Given the difficulty of completely eradicating bedbugs, the optimal strategy is to prevent their entry into your home," he advised. "Timely and proactive actions are pivotal."
The Seoul City Government discourages individuals from bringing potentially infested items into their households, according to the "Bedbug Prevention and Response Guidelines." Their advice includes avoiding used furniture and old books, as they pose a higher risk of infestation. Additionally, the guidelines emphasize the importance of repairing damaged areas, such as cracks and wallpaper, in order to reduce potential bedbug habitats.
Yang Nam-kyung contributed reporting.
