Bedbug (Cimex lectularius) infestation and its control practices in two selected settlements in ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria
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Date
2017
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Abstract
Bedbugs are cosmopolitan insects of public health importance. Their characteristic biting
and blood feeding activities result in both physical symptoms and psychological distress
in affected hosts. This study investigated the incidence of bedbug and control practices
among students and indigenes living in two different settlements in Ilorin, Nigeria.
Bedbug were surveyed and collected from household materials from fifty apartments
randomly selected from each of the new and old student hostels and family houses in
Tanke and Oja-Oba area of Ilorin. Bedbugs collected were persevered in 70 % alcohol
and identified using taxonomic keys. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain
information on respondent’s demography, perception about bedbug infestation and
control practices in sampled houses in the study areas. Sampled data were analysis using
percentages. Results from the survey revealed that the number of respondents with
knowledge of bedbug was not significant (p>0.05) compared with those without. Family
houses in indigenous Oja-Oba study location were the only site with bed-bug infestation.
Higher numbers of bedbugs were collected on mattresses. Out of the 200 respondents,
20 (10 %) employed the use of chemical method in bedbug control and precisely, 12 (60
%) of these use a locally made formulation named otapiapia. The intensity of infestation
in Oja-Oba and insignificant knowledge of bedbug among the respondents suggest the
need to raise the level of public awareness and also canvass for an improved living
conditions in the affected areas.