Bedbugs invade Bulawayo

The bloodsuckers have landed in Bulawayo and residents of Mpopoma’s Ward Nine are scratching, spraying and suffering as bed bugs turn their lives into a crawling, itching nightmare.

After months of laughing at Harare’s viral memes of people battling bed bug infestations, reality has struck Bulawayo, hard.

The biting beasts are now sinking their fangs into residents of Block 46 and the flats behind Patapata Beer Garden, leaving a trail of itchy bodies, sleepless nights and rising frustration.

When our Bulawayo Bureau visited the area, a woman from Block 46, with face, neck and hands covered in angry red welts, was scratching furiously as she relived her agony.

“These bugs have turned our lives into a nightmare,” she said. “We haven’t had a peaceful night in weeks. They bite my kids too. We’ve tried everything. Nothing works.”

The bites are bad. The embarrassment is worse. Some residents say the shame is keeping them silent.

“It’s hard to talk about,” said Miss Siphiwe Moyo, another victim. “People will laugh at you. But we are suffering. We are tired. We can’t sleep at all. These bugs are winning.”

Residents claim they have alerted the Bulawayo City Council, only to be told to pay US$47 per household for fumigation. Many can’t afford it.

“That amount is simply out of reach for most of our elderly residents,” said Ward 9 Residents’ Chairperson Mr Stanslous Dube. “The infestation is real. Block 46 and the flats near Patapata are the worst-hit. People are begging for help.”

Ward Secretary for Environment Mr Dumisani Moyo added, “This problem is spreading, and many are too ashamed to report it. We’re pleading with the government for intervention.”

Ward Councillor Donaldson Mabutho promised to visit the affected areas. But Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart had no comment, saying he hadn’t received an official report yet.

What started in Harare has now spread its itchy grip to Bulawayo. In Harare, entire suburbs have been battling the bugs since early this year. Now, experts warn that if left unchecked, Mpopoma’s outbreak could explode across the city.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care, together with local councils and pest control firms, have launched fumigation campaigns across schools and hospitals in the country, with mixed results.

“Many people are boiling water, using paraffin, or experimenting with homemade remedies,” said a health source. “But bed bugs are tough. They hide in furniture, clothing, luggage, and they’re spreading fast.”

Warm temperatures make things worse, so residents are relatively better-off in the cold winter. Heat speeds up their breeding, and Zimbabwe’s dry season gives them the perfect environment to multiply and invade new homes.

This is not just a Zimbabwean disaster. Bed bugs are a global menace. Paris was in panic during the 2023 Fashion Week, as hotels and trains were crawling with the bugs.

New York, Chicago, London, Johannesburg, Mumbai and Sydney have all reported major outbreaks in homes, cinemas, hospitals and transport systems.

Once they strike, bed bugs are almost impossible to eliminate without professional fumigation, and even then, reinfestation is common if communities don’t act together.

Health experts are calling for a national emergency response, warning that the pests are more than just a nuisance. They cause mental stress, insomnia, and long-term skin problems. More worryingly, their presence highlights gaps in urban sanitation.

The Herald