Bed bug concerns as RWC approaches

July 1, 2011

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- ARCHIVE VIDEO: Are bed bugs infesting NZ? (October 2010, 3:57)
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A plague of bed bugs is causing concern ahead of the Rugby World
Cup.

Numbers of bed bugs worldwide are growing, particularly in
Europe and backpackers are being blamed for transporting them back
here.

A lack of awareness of the bug in New Zealand and stereotypes of
the bug are adding to the problem.

Around 85,000 tourists are expected in New Zealand for the Rugby
World Cup tournament in September. Most will be staying in paid
accommodation.

Exterminators say their work load is rapidly increasing.

David Brittain from Kiwicare says they brought in 20,000 bedbug
products a year ago and have sold double what they expected to.

“They don’t care if the bedroom is clean or dirty, residential
or commercial. The majority of people don’t realise they have
bedbugs because most people don’t react to their bites,” he
said.

He says bedbugs are in higher infestations around our national
parks possibly because more backpackers frequent these
locations.

Michael Baines from the Motel Association says they have a
strong ongoing education program that includes a roadshow on
bedbugs they take to their members.

Baines says they teach hotels how to spot bedbugs and the best
way to eradicate them.

He says even though bedbugs are not a danger to health, for
motels it is matter of a quality of stay and bedbugs are bad for
reputation.

Extermination treatment requires a combination of strong
pesticides, vacuuming, heat treatment and plastic wrappings that
suffocate the bugs.