In recent times, the discovery of bed bugs in Busan has heightened concerns among citizens. In response to this, Pusan National University (PNU)  has also taken measures to address the bed bugs issue, particularly in the PNU dormitories. 

According to PNU dormitories on November 23rd, for four days from November 14th to 17th, bed bugs were confirmed in Busan, student room and public areas of four PNU dormitories (Woongbee Hall, Jayoo Hall, Jilli Hall, and Hyowonjae) at the Busan campus were disinfected for bed bugs . On November 21st, bed bug prevention was also carried out in the PNU dormitories of the Yangsan campus.

This recent bed bug extermination was conducted separately from the regular pest control. The administrative office of PNU dormitories stated that, in response to the anxiety caused by the appearance of bed bugs, they urgently scheduled an extermination plan and used special insecticides for bed bug prevention. The method of pesticide application also differed from the conventional approach of spraying throughout the dormitories; instead, it involved removing the bed covers of all residents and flipping the mattresses to apply the pesticide.

To enhance the effectiveness and safety of the extermination process, the cooperation of students has been requested. The PNU dormitories notified residents through the PNU dormitory app whenever the extermination on two floors was completed, recommending re-entry after a two-hour period. Advance notifications were also provided to inform students about the implementation of extermination measures in all areas. An official from the administrative office of PNU dormitories said, “Given the nature of bed bugs, if we miss even one spot, all the prevention would be for nothing. Therefore, we conducted extermination not only in the residents’ rooms but also in common areas, leaving no space untouched, including the resting areas for the management staff.

Amid growing fear of bed bugs, PNU students say they feel a little relieved by the preventative measure this time. Bed bugs have been discovered in university dormitories across the country, including Daegu and Cheonan City, where extermination had not been conducted. Furthermore, although later proven false, in a post on PNU online anonymous community, “Everytime,” on November 11th, before the extermination took place, a student claimed to have been bitten by bed bugs in Jayoo Hall, contributing to heightened anxiety among residents. Kim So-Young (Dept. of Food Science and Nutrition, 22), a resident in Jayoo Hall, said, “As the spread of bedbugs is a big issue, preemptive prevention by PNU was a good response.”

As concerns about the appearance of bedbugs have intensified, other universities in Busan are also trying to prevent bedbugs. Pukyong National University has also prevented bed bugs in dormitories, and Tongmyung University, Busan National University of Education, Busan University of Foreign Studies, and Korea Maritime and Ocean University are seeking countermeasures by providing measures and recommendations to prevent the spread of bed bugs. 

Meanwhile, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has released a bed bug information booklet, containing methods for bed bug prevention, dealing with bed bug bites, confirming the presence of bed bugs, among other information. According to the booklet, it is crucial to practice measures such as “not bringing items that could serve as breeding grounds for bed bugs into homes” and “immediately checking spaces like mattresses or sofas when visiting accommodation facilities.” In case of a bed bug bite, it is advised not to scratch the affected area to prevent secondary infections. Instead, applying corticosteroid cream or taking oral antihistamines can help alleviate the symptoms.

If you find a bedbug in PNU dormitories, you can report it to the administrative office of each dormitory, the national government call center 110, or the public health center in Busan.

Reporter Choi Yoo-Min

Translated by Lim Chae-Kyung