Assessment of Bedbug (Cimex Hemipterus Fabricius, 1803) Infestation in Households and Tsangaya Schools in the Sudan Savanna Zone of Nigeria: Prevalence, Distribution, and Control Practices
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2026-1010-5056Keywords:
Bedbug, Households, Infestations, Tsangaya schoolsAbstract
Bedbug infestation remains a persistent public health challenge in many developing regions. This study assessed the prevalence, distribution, and control practices of bedbugs in households and Tsangaya schools across Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina States in the Sudan savanna zone of Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was adopted, involving field inspection and questionnaire-based data collection from 300 respondents. Bedbug infestation was recorded in 59.2% of examined locations, with Kaduna showing the highest prevalence. Infestation levels were significantly higher in Tsangaya schools compared to households (p≤0.05). Walls were identified as the primary harboring sites, supporting the highest populations of bedbugs across all developmental stages. Although 78% of respondents were aware of bedbugs, exposure was widespread. Chemical control methods were more commonly used than traditional methods; however, sanitation practices were generally poor. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences across states, materials, and settlement types, while Duncan’s Multiple Range Test separated group means. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions, improved sanitation, and integrated pest management strategies, particularly in communal living environments such as Tsangaya sschools.
References
Anders, D., Brocker, E.B. and Hamm, H. (2010). Cimex lectularius–an unwelcome train attendant. Eur. J. Dermatol. 20: 239–240.
Aultman, J.M. (2019). Bedbugs: A public health issue. Journal of Environmental Health, 81(6): 24–30.
Dang, K., Doggett, S.L., Veera Singham, G. and Lee, C.Y. (2021). Insecticide resistance in bedbugs. Insects, 12(4): 1–19.
Deku, G., Combey, R., Doggett, S.L. and Mensah, B.A. (2021). Assessment of Tropical BedBug (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), Infestations in Cape Coast, Ghana: Household control practices and efficacy of commercial insecticides and long-lasting insecticidal nets against field bedbugs. Journal of Medical Entomology, 58(4): 1788–1797.
Doggett, S.L. and Lee, C. (2023). Historical and contemporary control options against bedbugs, Cimex spp.. Annual Review of Entomology, 68:169–190.
Doggett, S. L. (2018). Miscellaneous health impacts. pp. 133–138. In: S. L. Doggett, D. M. Miller, and C.Y. Lee (eds.), Advances in the biology and management of modern bed bugs. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK
Doggett, S.L., Dwyer, D.E., Peñas, P.F. and Russell, R.C. (2018). Bedbugs: Clinical relevance and control options. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 31(1): e00077-16.
Gbakima, A.A., Terry, B.C., Kanja, F., Kortequee, S., Dukuley, I. and Sahr, F. (2002). High prevalence of bed bugs Cimex hemipterus and Cimex lectularius in camps for internally displaced persons in Freetown, Sierra Leone: a pilot humanitarian investigation. W. Afr. J. Med. 21: 268–271.
Harlan, H.J., Faulde, M.K. and Baumann, G.J. (2021). Bedbug infestations: Public health implications. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 21(3): 1–9.
Hwang, S.J.E., Doggett, S.L. and Fernandez-Penas, P. (2018). Dermatology and immunology, pp. 109–116. In: S. L. Doggett, D. M. Miller, and C.Y. Lee (eds.), Advances in the biology and management of modern bed bugs. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK.
Juson, A. and Juson, C. (2018). Aircraft, pp. 363–367. In: S. L. Doggett, D. M. Miller, and C.Y. Lee (eds.), Advances in the biology and management of modern bed bugs. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK.
Lilly, D.G. and Jones, G. (2018). Cruise ships and trains, pp. 369–374. In: S. L. Doggett, D.M. Miller, and C.Y. Lee (eds.), Advances in the biology and management of modern bed bugs. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford, UK.
Mbuta, D.M., Khamis, F.M., Sokame, B.M., Ngonga, F. and Akutse, K.S. (2022). Household perception and infestation dynamics of bedbugs in Africa. Scientific Reports, 12: 19900.
Oduola, A.O., Omotayo, A.I., Adelaja, O.J. and Obembe, A. (2017). Bedbug (Cimex lectularius) infestation and its control practices in two selected settlements in Ilorin, Kwara state, Nigeria. Animal Research International, 14(3): 2818–2825
Parola, P. and Izri, A. (2020). Bedbugs. New England Journal of Medicine, 382(23): 2230–2237.
Reinhardt, K. and Siva-Jothy, M.T. (2019). Biology of bedbugs. Annual Review of Entomology, 64: 351–369.
Romero, A., Potter, M.F. and Haynes, K.F. (2019). Behavioral responses of bed bugs to insecticides. Pest Management Science, 75(2): 1–9.
Salter, P. (2019). Before Lincoln library books are checked in, they’re checked out for bed bugs. https://journalstar.com/news/local/before-lincolnlibrary-books-are-checked-in-they-re-checked/article_a2483266-a353- 52b7-a1ce-fd0c70849745.html. Retrieved on May, 2nd 2026.
Sheele, J.M., Gaines, S., Maurer, N., Coppolino, K., Li, J.S., Pound, A., Luk, J.H. and Mandac, E. (2017). A survey of patients with bed bugs in the emergency department. Am. J. Emerg. Med., 35: 697–698
Sheele, J.M., Crandall, C.J., Chang, B.F., Arko, B.L., Dunn, C.T. and Negrete. A. (2019). Cimicosis in persons previously fed upon by bed bugs. Cureus, 11: e5941.
Sheele, J.M., Anderson, J.F. and Tran, T.D. (2021). Bedbugs in communal living environments. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 104(5): 1–7.
Sked, S., Wang, C., Hacker, K. and Michaele, M. (2019). A case study of Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) infestations in an office environment. J. Econ. Entomol., 112: 1821–1830
Tiffin, H.S. and Curnow, J. (2020). Resurgence of bedbugs globally. Public Health Reports, 135(4): 1–6.
Wang, C., Saltzmann, K., Chin, E., Bennett, G. and Gibb, T. (2020). Characteristics of bedbug infestations in urban environments. Journal of Economic Entomology, 113(1): 1–9.
Wang, C., Singh, N., Zha, C. and Cooper, R. (2016). Bed bugs: prevalence in low-income communities, resident’s reactions, and implementation of a low-cost inspection protocol. J. Med. Entomol., 53: 639–646.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Salisu Nura, Mohammed Awwal Galadima, Abdullahi Balarabe Sallau, Aminatu Mustapha Gege, Maryam Aliyu Abbas
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
