A survey on the infestation levels of tropical bed bugs in Peninsular Malaysia: Current updates and status on resurgence of Cimex hemipterus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

Objective To survey current bed bugs infestation status in 11 states and federal territory in Peninsular Malaysia. Methods Targeted sampling in the urban areas was performed and the sites in each state were selected based on foreign workers' abundance and reports from pest control professionals in Malaysia. The collected bed bugs were classified into different strains obtained at the respective sites. Results Out of all 185 surveyed sites, approximately 38 of them have been actively infested with one species, Cimex hemipterus (F.). A high number of collected bed bugs were found in the states of Perak (24.8%), Selangor (21.0%) and Kedah (16.1%). In terms of preferred harborages, bedding, crevices in walls and floors and cushion seats were common locations with 49.2% infestation. Bed bugs were dominantly found in dormitories of foreign workers (51.6%) compared to residential houses and public accommodations such as hotels and airports. Conclusions Migration activities and reused infested furniture probably were the possible reasons to bed bug resurgence.