Venus Charumbira
Health and Environment Reporter
The Bulawayo City Council has denied claims of a bedbug infestation in the City around Nkulumane area.
Bedbugs are small, flat parasitic insects that feed on human blood and other warm blooded animals. Bedbugs infest their surroundings when someone brings them unknowingly. They look for places where people usually spend most of their time.
According to recent rumors, bed bugs are in the area of Nkulumane where as Nkulumane residents claim to have not seen any.
“I have not seen or received any notification on the arrival/presence of bedbugs in our area, everyone is just living their normal life,” said Dennis Ndlovu a Nkulumane resident.
Bedbugs spread by getting into the seams and folds of lagguage, folded clothes, furniture and anywhere else they can hide. Bedbugs are attracted to dirty laundry and feed on human blood which can result in itchy bedbug bites.
“Bedbugs do not cause or spread diseases to people. It’s parasites bites can cause itching, as well as allergic reactions”, said a pharmacist who preferred anonymity
To avoid bed bugs it is important for residents to clean and get rid of clutter and dirt in their rooms, move their furniture away from walls.
According to a City Council statement, “Bedbugs crawl rapidly than fly or jump, their small size allows them to spread and hide to new locations. They can be found in places like single family homes, apartments and condominiums, short stay rentals like hotels and motels”.
Therefore, in order to be safe from bedbugs, it is advisable for people to stay in a clean environment.
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