There has been a sudden increase in consultations related to bedbug infestations in major metropolitan areas of Japan, including Tokyo and Osaka, according to reports from pest control associations in these prefectures. The resurgence of bedbugs in Japan follows similar outbreaks reported in countries like France and South Korea, causing concerns as domestic and international travel rebounds after the pandemic.
Bedbugs, measuring nearly 5 millimeters in length and considered nocturnal relatives of stink bugs, typically hide in cracks and gaps in furniture during the day, emerging at night to feed on humans. Their bites can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, resulting in intensely itchy welts.
The challenges in detecting these tiny pests and the ability of female bedbugs to lay hundreds of eggs in their lifetime make infestations particularly problematic, easily spreading when the bugs hitch rides on belongings or clothing.
While bedbugs have been present in Japan since the late 19th century and experienced widespread distribution at certain points in time, their numbers significantly decreased around 1970 due to the widespread use of potent insecticides. However, from the 2000s onward, some bedbugs have developed resistance to these insecticides.
The Pest Control Association of Tokyo reported that the capital received nearly 306 bedbug-related consultations through November, surpassing the 247 consultations received in 2022. The increase in consultations indicates a growing awareness and concern about bedbug infestations in the region. The ability of bedbugs to thrive and spread, particularly in urban areas, emphasizes the importance of effective pest control measures to manage and mitigate infestations.
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