Preliminary Study of Bedbug Infestation in A Hostel at Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Bedbugs are nocturnal obligate blood suckers that can invade human habitation. Their bite causes sleep disturbances, skin reactions, loss of concentration and social stigmatization. Nigeria has recently experienced a high bedbug infestation rate, especially in homes, hotels, and hostels. Therefore, this preliminary investigation was primarily conducted to document bedbug infestation for the first time in a university hostel at Awka. Sensitization of hostel management personnel and four occupants of the inspected room was done to obtain their consent prior to commencement of the investigation, which was allowed to take place between 5-6pm on 14th August 2024. Convenient sampling was used to collect bed bugs from beddings in the suspected room. Collected bedbugs were transferred to the Entomology Unit of the Department of Parasitology and Entomology Laboratory for identification using standard entomological keys. Blood-stained bed spreads, obnoxious odor of bed bug feces, dead shriveled bedbugs and molted skins of bedbugs were observed during the inspection, an indication of chronic bedbug infestation of the room. A total of seventy bedbugs, with a preponderance of nymphs, followed by adult females and then males were recovered within one hour allowed for the investigation. Bedbug identified belong the species Cimex lectularius. Findings from this work will help in evidence-based pest management policy on periodic fumigation of offices, lounges, rooms and conveniences in students’ hostels and other facilities in the university so as to tackle bed bug infestation on campus.