MBARE – A full-blown bedbug outbreak has gripped Harare’s Mbare suburb, with residents of Matererini and Matapi Flats raising the alarm over an escalating infestation of the bloodsucking insects known locally as “tsikidzi” or “insikizi.” The City of Harare’s Pest Control Section has since rolled out fumigation efforts in a bid to contain the outbreak, which authorities fear could spread rapidly if left unchecked. Mayor Jacob Mafume confirmed the city has activated a scheduled pest control programme, with Mbare prioritized as a critical hotspot.
City health officials say the bedbug menace is more than a localised issue, warning that no home is safe as the pests can travel easily through clothes, mattresses, or luggage. Once inside, they become nearly impossible to eradicate due to growing resistance to conventional insecticides. Feeding mostly between midnight and 5 AM, the bugs locate humans through carbon dioxide and body heat, leaving multiple itchy bites per session and retreating to dark crevices until their next meal.
But Mbare’s struggle is part of a broader global resurgence. Experts say rapid urbanisation, increased travel, and inbreeding among bedbugs have led to new chemical-resistant strains now tormenting cities worldwide. Between 2017 and 2022, 11% of French homes reported infestations, sparking national panic ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Similar outbreaks have rocked major cities across Asia, Europe, and North America — dispelling the myth that the pests are limited to impoverished communities.
In low-income suburbs like Mbare, the situation is worsened by the high cost of private fumigation, making it harder for affected households to fight back. Many residents live in overcrowded flats — ideal breeding grounds for the insects. The psychological toll is growing too, with reported cases of sleep deprivation, anxiety, and depression linked to ongoing infestations. Despite current interventions, authorities warn the battle will be long and complex due to the bugs’ stealthy reproduction and hardiness.
Public health officials urge vigilance, noting early detection is key. Telltale signs include reddish-brown stains on bedding and sightings of the pests themselves. While fumigation remains a common method of control, its effectiveness is now under threat from evolving bedbug biology. With international travel and urban density unlikely to slow down, the microscopic invaders may well continue to thrive unless new pest control strategies are developed and deployed fast.
