South Korea has placed a bedbug sniffer dog at its main international airport to try to prevent the insects entering the country from the Paris Olympics.....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Ceco, a two-year-old beagle, is leading the bedbug detection efforts at the Incheon International Airport in Seoul.
Pest control company Cesco trained the dog to sniff out pheromones, the chemicals released by bedbugs, according to the Korea Post.
The company said that Ceco has an accuracy of at least 95 percent in detecting bedbugs.
“Ceco can detect bedbugs far more faster than the human eye, identifying every stage of bedbug life, from eggs to adults, within just 1 to 2 minutes per room—a significant advantage for the hospitality industry,” the company said, per the Korea Post.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said the dog had been deployed at an airport booth, along with a human bedbug control expert, which will remain active until September 8.
Passengers coming from areas at risk of bedbug infestations can be checked at the booth and receive extermination services if needed.
If bedbugs are found, they can be exterminated using a steam gun, ultraprecision microscope, and a special hot air chamber, as the bugs die at temperatures above 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
The airport is also enhancing quarantine and disinfection measures, including by regularly disinfecting aircraft, with a focus on those coming from Paris.
The hub will also regularly be disinfected in areas with high passenger traffic.
Lee Han-kyung, the head of the Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, said: “It is important to block the inflow of bedbugs in advance because it is difficult to control them once they are discovered.
Therefore, we will strengthen preemptive blocking measures starting from the airport through public-private cooperation.”
South Korea sent 144 athletes to compete at the Olympics in Paris. Along with the athletes, other officials, trainers, and spectators also traveled to the French capital.
Paris had a bedbug outbreak in late 2023 which sparked widespread media attention.
It was reported that the insects were infesting the Paris metro system and buses, along with various other public places. Videos went viral showing the creatures spotted in various locations around the city.
The infestation, less than a year before the 2024 Paris Olympics, had sparked some concerns about the city’s ability to safely host the event.
However, so far, there have been no signs that the Olympics have caused the spread of bedbugs.
Late last year South Korea also had its own bedbug outbreak, which sparked a firm nationwide crackdown.
The small, parasitic insects feed on the blood of humans and animals, typically causing itchy bites and discomfort. They often are found in mattresses, furniture, and other soft fabrics…CONTINUE READING>>
