Biting Insects - Bed Bugs & Fleas

People working in offices and similar places often complain of being bitten by fleas and when the premises are examined no sign of ingestation can be found anywhere. The following may be the cause of the problem.

• Bird mites, these often turn up when least expected, usually after a premises has been pigeon proofed, or had pigeon clearance carried out. Pigeons are very prone to a rather nasty biting mite (Derymanyssus gallinae) which is almost transparent when hungry and bright red when it has been fed. The use of oblique light will reveal them on a surface.
• Ceratopogonidae (Culicoides) the famous biting midge of Scotland in particular, but not exactly exclusive to that area. These flies only bite exposed areas, whereas the bird mite is not so choosy.
• Very heady-duty carpets prduce tiny particles, much too small to be seen with the naked eye. The minute inflexible spikes they produce move easily on air currents via the ventilation systems etc. Sharp paper/card dust particles are also able to cause skin irritations. These fragments produce the effect remarkably like an insect bite, but unlike fleas they will affect only tender skin areas, not merely those which are constricted and favoured by fleas.
• Terrazzo, vinyl, liinoleum and rubber floor coverings generate static, which can pick up tiny fragments. These are then rubbed or scratched and a bit can be simulated.
• Most biting insects inject an anaesthetic/anticoagulant then feed on blood. The sufferer only starts itching when this wears off. A bite outside could manigest itself later indoors.
• Dermatitis from one cause or another and allergic rashes.

A commonly documented scenario is that people accumulate a negative (static_ charge by walking across a synthetic (nylon) carpet. This tenst to attract dust and fibres, which exhibit a positive charge, and depending upon the particles/fibres concerned may be irritatin to a person's skin.

Achieving and maintaining clear conditions, particularly under desks, around wall angles and where paper/card files are stored is recommended. Anti-static treatment following cleanign may also prove beneficial.

When faced with complaints of 'biting insects', especially in office situations some investigation should be carried out to discount the possibility of any insect/bird mite involvment. 'Flea Traps' have previously been used in such investigations. These are small dome shaped traps with a sticky base and incorporate a light to act as a heat source to attract parasitic insects/mites.

Bed Bugs

Bedbug Infestation
This is most commonly found in bedrooms and spread to other rooms or dwellings by transference of bedding and furniture, but not clothing or bodies as they do not spend a long time on the host. Suitcases can become infested, and where hotels, hostels and lodging houses have trasient occupants then there may be increased likelihood of infestation, especially with immigrants from warm countries where bugs are more prevalent. Timber and furniture taken from infested homes which are being demolished can also cause cross-infestation.

In centrally-heated premises bedbugs will breed all year, but usually they die out at the onset of winter in Britain, leaving a few to continue the life cycle of multiplication during summer months.

Detection and Control of Infestation
To ascertain the extent and location of an infestation, inspection of likely harbourages is necessary. Spots of excrement, clusters of tiny eggs, and live insects flushed out with a pyrthroid aerosol, characteristic almond-like smell, cast nymph skins and marks on bedding all indicate infestation in additions to bites suffered by people.

Fleas

There are approximately 60 species of fleas in the UK, all of which are blood-sucking parasites of warm-blooded animals. Flease are dark brown, flattened laterally (site to side) and covered with backward pointing "combs" of bristles. This allows them to travel forwards very rapidly between the hairs of their host animal and also helps them to cling tightly and resist dislodging by scratching. Fleas have well developed back legs, enabling them to jump onto the host and also to escape if necessary.

Flease cause problems for a number of reasons:

• The spread of disease. Two disease in particular, Murine typhus and bubonic plague are zoonoses - that is, animal disease spread to man through flea bites. The Tropical Rat Flea Xenopsylla cheopis, from the Black Rat spread plague in the 14th and 17th centuries, killing one third of the population of Europe during the Black Death. Flease can also transmit tapeworms, the eggs being swallowed by the host when biting the fur in an attempt to kill the flea.
• Flea bites irritate and can sometimes produce walnut-sized wellings. Some people become sensitised to the bite. Scratching can lead to secondary infection.
• Flease are unwelcome residents in houses that keep a pet dog or cat. They are also a problem in hospitals where feral cats live in ductings.

Flea Trap For estimating and monitoring flea infestations. The flea trap is supplied with a screw-in bulb.

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