Panic spreads through Mbare as bloodsucking bedbugs invade Matererini plus Matapi Flats. The City of Harare Pest Control Section started spraying these areas Monday after residents complained about the tiny pests known as "tsikidzi" or "insikizi". These creatures, smaller than rice grains, feed on humans between midnight plus 5am, leaving multiple bites during their five-minute feeding sessions. They sense people through body heat plus carbon dioxide from breath before drinking blood.
Mayor Jacob Mafume promised regular pest control across affected suburbs, putting Mbare at the top of the list. Nobody remains safe from these insects that hide in mattresses, clothes, and luggage. Many poor households in Mbare struggle because they cannot pay for private fumigation services. These pests have become resistant to many chemicals through inbreeding, causing problems worldwide, including in France, where 11 percent of homes reported infestations between 2017 and 2022.
Experts link the global bedbug comeback to rapid urbanization, increased travel, plus growing pesticide resistance. People can spot infestations through reddish-brown blood stains on mattresses or the visible bugs themselves when moving. Regular cleaning helps prevent problems, but chemical resistance makes complete elimination difficult. The insects travel easily across borders, hiding in travelers' belongings and spreading worldwide despite control efforts.
Mayor Jacob Mafume promised regular pest control across affected suburbs, putting Mbare at the top of the list. Nobody remains safe from these insects that hide in mattresses, clothes, and luggage. Many poor households in Mbare struggle because they cannot pay for private fumigation services. These pests have become resistant to many chemicals through inbreeding, causing problems worldwide, including in France, where 11 percent of homes reported infestations between 2017 and 2022.
Experts link the global bedbug comeback to rapid urbanization, increased travel, plus growing pesticide resistance. People can spot infestations through reddish-brown blood stains on mattresses or the visible bugs themselves when moving. Regular cleaning helps prevent problems, but chemical resistance makes complete elimination difficult. The insects travel easily across borders, hiding in travelers' belongings and spreading worldwide despite control efforts.
