Victoria Falls City Council has started disinfecting some residential areas following the detection of some bed bugs, known as insikizi in isiNdebele.
Bed bugs are small reddish-brown insects that feed on people’s blood usually at night as they hide in beds.
They usually infest homes, hotels and hospitals.
In Victoria Falls, the council authorities have been disinfecting parts of Chinotimba to cut the life cycle of the invasive insects.
Bugs spread through used furniture, luggage, backpacks, purses and other items.
They can migrate between rooms in multi-unit buildings such as hotels, hospitals and complexes.
A bed bug bite can result in a number of health problems such as skin rashes, insomnia and allergy among others.
In a statement, the city council encouraged residents to immediately report to health officials in the event of their premises getting infested.
“Victoria Falls City Council is urging its valued residents, stakeholders, and visitors to be on high alert for the presence of bed bugs in all areas of residence in the city,” read the city statement.
One can tell if his or her premises are infested through reddish blood stains on bedding after bed bugs have been crushed, dark spots, tiny eggs or egg shells and live bed bugs.
Those bitten show signs of bite marks similar to mosquitoes or flea bites, irritation or swelling on the body, itchiness of the body, lack of insomnia, anxiety or rashes from continuous scratching.
Residents are encouraged to wash all clothes and bedding in hot water, expose mattresses and linen to the sun, fill wall cracks, mostly arrange property and steam clean houses regularly.
