"'Bedbugs in Our House...' Nationwide Bedbug Reports Increase Again in December"

The number of bedbug incidents nationwide has increased this month. The highest proportion of cases was found in households.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and other government departments on the 30th, a total of 73 bedbug reports were received by local governments and others from the 18th to the 24th of this month. Among these, 47 cases were confirmed to have actual bedbug occurrences.

According to the KDCA statistics site, the number of bedbug incidents nationwide peaked at 55 cases during the week of the 13th to 19th of last month, then decreased to 28 cases from the 27th of last month to the 3rd of this month. However, weekly reports have been on the rise since then, with 33, 46, and 47 cases respectively.

Since the 6th of last month, out of a total of 299 bedbug cases, 115 cases (38.5%) occurred in households. Following that, goshiwons (small, inexpensive rooms) accounted for the most with 84 cases.

A KDCA official stated, "Currently, the locations of bedbug occurrences are categorized into 11 detailed types, and since households, which have a high interest in bedbugs, tend to report more, the incidence rate is also considered high. We are providing guidance on how to handle bedbugs when found in homes."

According to the KDCA, if bedbugs are found in a household, it is recommended to spray high heat using a steam cleaner or vacuum them up. Contaminated fabrics such as bed sheets should be run in a dryer for more than 30 minutes. When using insecticides, only products approved by the Ministry of Environment should be used, and it is best not to apply insecticides directly on clothing, pillows, or beds that come into contact with the skin.