When temperatures increase, so do the incidents of bugs, including those that your mother sang about before you went to bed

As complex, rollercoaster climate change alters life on this planet, we will confront new and unforeseen challenges. Some problems we can anticipate such as reduced food supply and further reductions of biodiversity. We’ve encountered higher, more fatal flooding incidents as a result of decreased biomass, as well as drought. But other symptoms of global warming, such as the new tide of insect infestations in the UAE, may seem less dramatic and less obvious.

Could rising temperatures in the United Arab Emirates be the cause of a new tide of insect infestations?

A bed bug super-strain in the UAE

A new at new strain of bed bugs has infiltrated the United Arab Emirates. Only 5mm long, they hitch a ride into people’s homes via clothing and personal items, and then stake out in beds, paintings, wall sockets, and essentially any other elusive, dark place.

The bugs are more active during the summer due to the heat and humidity, but remain a problem year-round, according to pest experts. “The incidences are increasing,” said Mr R, the operations manager of National Pest Control, with offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.

“Out of 10 inquiries, seven of them are for bed bugs.”

These bugs are able to survive up to 18 months without food, though they typically seek out nourishment every eight days. When they do, they sneak out of their dark crevices at night, while the rest of the home is fast asleep. AirBNB and short term rentals have been a number one reason for bed bug infestation in large cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Same is true for cities like New York.

How to get rid of bed bugs in the UAE

As a result, bed bugs are very difficult to snuff out. Further adding to their cunning, the pests have evolved to resist low level pesticides used to control them, and require several blasts, leading to drastic efforts to exterminate them. Unfortunately, some of these methods have exterminated people instead.

“The Ministry of Environment and Water has increased the limits on the kinds of pesticides available to licensed pest control companies after two of five-month-old triplets died when pest controllers sprayed their neighbour’s home in Ajman in late March,” according to Detrie.

Dubai’s municipality demands that pest controllers disclose the pesticides they are using, as well as their registration certificates, but this hasn’t stopped some “rogue” outfits from taking matters into their own hands.

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that are about the size and color of apple seeds. They usually live indoors but can also be found in hostels on roofs and in mattresses on patios where people lounge and rest. They feed mostly on human blood although here and there they can agree to suck the blood pets.

They don’t eat food crumbs, skin cells or anything else for that matter. Your blood is all they are interested in.

Bed bugs are flat in general, even after a blood meal, and very good at hiding in small cracks. They don’t have wings, and they don’t jump. But crawl slowly to you at night when you are asleep. Telltale signs are dime-sized swollen patches that are both itchy and sore. They usually appear in the back of your neck but can also appear on other body parts as well, usually those that are hidden like the tummy.

The smaller, younger stages bedbugs (nymphs) start out tan and darken as they grow to the adult stage. Bed bugs that have recently fed will be swollen and reddish. Bed bugs don’t carry diseases, but their bites can cause itchy skin reactions. People who are worried about being bitten, or that they have bed bugs in their homes, also may be anxious and lose sleep.

We got bedbugs from a hostel in Jerusalem and we have many friends with infestations in the UAE. If you are desperate you might go as far as throwing out your entire bedroom. But you needn’t do that. There are eco friendly solutions on the market, so look out for them.

Be wary of dangerous pesticide companies in the UAE

“They treat their own accommodation with this gas, which comes in a tablet form, and then it will kill people sleeping in the next unit,” according to Dr. Alan Dickson, the founder of Ridapest.

These tablets reportedly sold at flower shops are said to be more appropriately used out of doors, for agriculture, though this writer certainly hopes that is not the case. Anything that has the power to kill indoors is bound to be equally toxic outdoors.

“In June, a Nepalese man and an Indian woman were killed in Sharjah after their lodgings were fumigated by colleagues using banned pesticides,” according to Detrie.

Carbon dioxide foam that freezes bugs is considered a friendlier alternative to the killer gas tablets.

“It’s a premium service, but we’ve supplied these treatments to some clients. Our clients can stand in the room next to us while we do the treatment.” said Mr R.

Ecological treatments against bed bugs

Heat treatment is the the most effective eco-friendly bed bug solution available. You can rent a professional heat chamber from an extermination company or contact a bed bug removal professional to treat an infestation. Heat treatment brings the overall temperature of the affected area up to 118 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 90 minutes. The heat destroys any bugs that have infested your home, as well as their eggs.

Heat steam all cloth furniture, like mattresses and couches, by passing the heat steamer close to all surfaces. Once the heat treatment is complete, you should vacuum all bed bug debris and immediately throw out the vacuum bag or container contents. You want all the eggs, every single one of them, gone out of your life.

Diatomaceous earth found in health food stores will kill bed bugs. Treat washable fabrics and steam clean your mattress and box springs if possible.  Dust food grade diatomaceous earth liberally around the legs of your bed. Make sure no fabrics touch the floor and that your bed doesn’t touch any of your room’s walls.

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