Questionnaire survey of common bedbug (Cimex lectularius) infestations in Israel

The number of reports of human bedbug infestations has dramatically increased worldwide since the mid-1990s. Personal reports by Pest Management Professionals (PMPs) in Israel indicated that in recent years bedbugs have spread all over the country. The aim of this investigation was to study the epidemiology of bedbug infestations and to gain insights into the control of this biting arthropod, by analyzing a questionnaire sent to all registered PMPs in Israel. A confidential 17-question questionnaire was sent by mail to all PMPs. Data were collected from January to June 2009. Out of 1,147 questionnaires sent, 143 (12.5%) were returned and analyzed. The respondents were active in this profession for periods ranging from 1 to 52 years (average 18.1 years). Seventy-seven (53.8%) of the respondents reported that they had seen and treated at least one bedbug infestation in the country during the period covered by the questionnaire. During the years 2006–2008, a 50–150% increase occurred in the reported cases of infestations in comparison to the period of 2001–2005. Bedbugs were mainly reported in new (10) and old (31) hotels, in new (31) and old (84) residences, in new (8) and old (8) prisons, as well as in industrial buildings (13). Banned use of organophosphates inside houses and work places as well as increasing numbers of foreign workers and new immigrants from developing countries were considered as further reasons for the increased number of bedbug infestations. The most commonly used pesticides by the PMPs were pyrethroids, followed by organophosphates and carbamates. Increased public awareness, education of PMPs and clients, appropriate treatment of the infestation, surveillance, prevention, and use of insecticides other than pyrethroids, are all needed to minimize the risk of acquiring or transporting bedbugs, and to prevent their re-establishment in Israel.