Current status and problems of bedbug control in the pest-control industry

Abstract

Prior to the mid-twentieth century, bedbugs were very common in Japan, thereafter, decreasing rapidly. However, bedbugs have been resurging since about 1995. Bedbugs are increasingly becoming a problem within residences of all kinds, including homes, apartments and hotels for several years. As few people have experienced bloodsucking, most people are not aware of the existense of bedbugs and subsequently permit bedbug infestation. Bedbugs become resistant to pyrethroids that are widely used to kill them. To control bedbugs, early detection is needed, and when bedbugs are found, organophosphorous insecticides should be sprayed into cracks and crevices as soon as possible and the spraying needs to be repeated several times. In hotels, it is important to refrain from providing infested rooms and sharing contaminated vacuum cleaners and beddings until bedbugs are eradicated.