Problems associated with insect pests

Spread of disease/pathogens e.g. malaria, Contamination of work surfaces & foodstuffs, Damage to property - Structural damage, Allergies/asthma, Psycho/social stresses, Poor staff relations, Prosecution & closure, Adverse public opinion, Loss of reputation/income from tenants, Compliance with legislation

Public Health Acts 1936 & 1961

deal with premises which are filthy & verminous (eggs, larvae, & pupae (or nymphal stages) of insects & parasites

Public Health etc. (Scotland) Act 2008

Part 9 amends Environmental Protection Act 1990 for Scotland to include insect infestation as statutory nuisances

Food Hygiene Regulations – stemming from Regulation (EC) 178/2002 of the European Parliament

lays down principles & requirements of food law Article 14 deals with unsafe food - food shall be deemed unsafe if it is considered to be injurious to health or unfit for human consumption

Complete metamorphosis

young have a different form from adults & undergo a pupal stage to become adult - Larval stage undergoes radical change in protected environment of a pupa/cocoon - emerging adult is totally different in body form to the larva - beetles, wasps, moths, flies

Incomplete metamorphosis

young develop gradually, appearing similar to adults - no pupal stage - Nymphs undergo a series of changes through moulting - final moult wings & reproductive organs appear - cockroaches

Bedbug development

Incomplete metamorphosis , Feed solely on blood – require blood meal - to develop between instars (life stages) & to reproduce, Female produces 2-3 eggs/day – deposited around environment bedbug live in,

Problems associated with Bedbugs

Bites, Skin Rash, Allergic reactions , Psychological effects – sleep deprivation, anxiety – in extreme cases inducing delusional parasitosis , Minority of people show no reaction , Itching, inflammation, secondary infection , Bedbugs contaminated with >30 human pathogens – no real evidence to prove biological or mechanical transmission , Possible transmission of MRSA??

Economic impact

high-risk groups - those who frequently use hotels - business or holiday - “hitchhike” rides on clothing, luggage, aids spread - costs hospitality industry, increased laundry expenses - replacement of bedding & furniture - structural cleaning & physical modifications - lost revenue from negative publicity - insurance claims & lawsuits

Evidence of bedbugs

Blood spotting, live or dead bugs, eggs, coriander smell,

Treatment of bed bugs Non-chemical methods

Vacuuming - helps remove dirt to insecticides more effective, but will not remove eggs

Treatment of bed bugs Non-chemical methods

Heat - bedbugs are sensitive to heat – rapidly killed above 45°C When using heat for bedbug control high temperatures must be applied suddenly - gradual increase can cause bedbugs to disperse Infested linen - launder in hot water then hot tumble dry

Treatment of bed bugs Non-chemical methods

Steam – kills all life stages of bedbug including eggs Use of steam rather than insecticide can be used for some customers – mattress, beds - very time consuming - no residual effect Better to have steam treatment followed by insecticide - can provide better long-term control than insecticides alone

Treatment of bed bugs Non-chemical methods

Cold - recommended to the occupier for small items - freezing has the advantage that heat sensitive materials will not be damaged

Treatment of bed bugs Non-chemical methods

Trapping & barriers - traps, monitoring devices, barriers will not eliminate bedbugs – part of IPM programme Traps catch host-seeking bedbugs via an attractant &/or provision of harbourage Bedbug dispersal behaviour must be considered when monitoring - advisable to use a number of bedbug monitors placed strategically throughout a room - do not just place monitors near the bed Barriers aim to prevent bedbugs reaching bed legs - placed underneath bed legs/casters - ensure no aspect of bed or linen touches the wall or floor - barriers effective means of monitoring an infestation only

Treatment of bed bugs Non-chemical methods

Mattress encasements – smooth polyester fabric fitting snugly to mattress/base – prevent bedbugs accessing mattress & contain any already present - Seamless surface provides fewer harbourages – should also be impenetrable to bedbugs - zips should also be ‘bug proof’ Beneficial as it avoids need to dispose of mattresses that are harbouring bedbugs

Treatment of bed bugs - Chemical methods

Choice of formulation & active ingredient - type of formulation – liquid, dust etc - selected for treatment depends on its usage patterns - dusts can be used in areas occupied by electrical equipment &/or wall voids if bugs are penetrating such areas - liquid formulations can be utilised in more obvious locations - suitable active ingredients e.g. bendiocarb - Aerosol insecticides can be used for ‘quick kill’

Bedbugs code

Eu code of practice version 2 bedbugs management

Global Public Health Threat - Mosquitoes

relevant to public health when population density make them a nuisance but some species are major threat to human & animal health - vectors of disease - viruses (yellow fever, dengue fever), protozoa (malaria)

Mosquito life cycle

Complete metamorphosis, mated female is fertilised for life - flies away to find a blood-meal, lifespan – 3-4 weeks depending on weather conditions & predation

Feeding behaviour

during blood meal female can ingest pathogens from infected host - female injects saliva to stop blood coagulation - pathogens have evolved to accumulate in salivary glands to exploit this route into host - Female infects new host during subsequent blood meal

Feeding Behaviour

Some species enter human dwellings to bit (endophagic behaviour), others bite outdoors (exophagic behaviour) - Aedes females bite/rest mostly outdoors - Culex pipiens (house mosquito) bite/rest mostly indoors - Anopheles species almost exclusively bite at night, Aedes species peak biting activity at dawn/dusk

Feeding behaviour

Some species feed on people (anthropophilic), some on animals (zoophilic), some have no preference (indiscriminative biters)

West Nile Virus

viral mosquito- borne disease – can become neuro- invasive - ongoing spread in western hemisphere causing concern - Birds are important virus reservoir

West Nile fever

Incubation period 3-14 days after bite - 80% of human infections asymptomatic - 20% result in West Nile Fever (WNF) symptoms - 1% develop severe neuro-invasive WNF - long- term disability or death

Symptoms of WNF

fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, vomiting, occasionally with a skin rash & swollen lymph glands

Dengue virus

endemic in tropical/subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, South America - imported cases in Europe & USA

Dengue fever symptoms

80% asymptomatic or mild infection - flu-like illness which can affect infants, young children & adults high fever, accompanied by severe headache, pain behind eyes, muscle/joint pain, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or rash

Some case develop into a serious, potentially fatal illness (5%)

Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever – bleeding under skin, from gums & nose, vomit blood or pass blood in faeces - Dengue Shock Syndrome – most severe form - severe abdominal pain, vomiting, feeling irritable, low temperature – medical treatment essential

Transmission of dengue

Transmission via bite of an infected Aedes mosquito

Malaria

significantly contributes to low educational achievement in children - exists in over 100 countries - about 90% of disease burden resides in Africa - Latest estimates - 282 million malaria cases in 2024 - estimated 610 000 deaths

Malaria transmission

Mosquito is vector for parasitic protozoan Plasmodium – 5 species Transmitted via bite from an infected female Anopheles

Severe malaria symptoms

seizures, mental confusion, kidney failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, coma, & death can occur. If not treated within 24 hours P. falciparum malaria can progress to severe illness often leading to death

Mosquito species

,

Aedes

Floodwater mosquitoes - lay eggs on moist soil or in containers that catch rainfall, Asian tiger mosquito and Yellow fever mosquito - dengue

Culex

Pipiens - northern house mosquito - main carrier of West Nile virus

Anopheles

breed during warmer months – eggs deposited on water surface, prefer clean water habitats, carry malaria