Bedbug scare hits Rotorua

17th March 2006

By KELLY MAKIHA in Rotorua

Rotorua's accommodation industry is downplaying the discovery of a blood-sucking bug that has cost overseas tourism industries millions.

American visitor Jim Sattler says he was bitten by bedbugs while staying at a Rotorua backpackers. Owner Graeme Entwhistle admits there probably were bedbugs in his building but says he has taken the appropriate steps to get rid of them.

Mr Sattler called in the Rotorua District Council to inspect a couch at the backpackers where he said he was bitten. Although the health inspector could not find any bedbugs, it was recommended the premises be fumigated.

Mr Entwhistle predicted the bedbugs were probably in the visitor's room and he fumigated the couch and the bedroom.

He said bedbugs were more common than people thought, claiming at least two other accommodation outlets had them.

However, he said it was a subject most people did not talk about for fear of bad publicity.

"It's a New Zealand-wide problem that everybody has. It's not a filth thing - it's something that is brought in on backpacks and suitcases and sleeping bags."

New Zealand's cooler climate meant bedbugs were mainly only a problem around February, March and April, Mr Entwhistle said.

Another Rotorua backpackers' owner said he would be surprised if any accommodation outlet that had overseas visitors could deny ever having bedbugs. Bill Scapens said he got a contractor to use a preventive spray in his rooms and then sprayed immediately if any of the bugs were detected.

His cleaning staff were trained to find them and it tended to occur more often when there were visitors from North Queensland and South East Asia.

"It sounds awful but we tag their room and look at them afterwards. We are not paranoid ... our clientele are probably more relieved to know we think about it and care about it.

"I don't think there is a problem as long as it's dealt with appropriately."

Experts say the bedbug problem has escalated as a result of changing pest control measures and an increase in travellers visiting exotic locations. The Australian tourism industry is also reeling from the bedbug problem, with a recent study finding the country was suffering an epidemic that was costing the industry more than $100m a year.

But both the hotel and motel associations in Rotorua say they haven't heard of any incidents.

Hotel Managers' Association president Richard De Graaf said while bedbugs were "on the radar" and had been discussed at a national tourism level, he had not heard of any Rotorua hotels having any problems.



Mr De Graaf said despite the stigma attached to bedbugs, they had nothing to do with poor hygiene.

"If it happens, it happens and you can't do anything about it."

Rotorua Motel Association president Steve Osborne said he had not heard of any problems in Rotorua either and he was not fazed by the threat of an epidemic.

"It's a bit like the bird flu isn't it. When is an epidemic an epidemic? There are ways to deal with it if you experience it."

He said there was advice on getting rid of bedbugs on the motel association's website.

Rotorua District Council principle environmental health officer Allan Culpan said the last time the council was called out in relation to bedbugs was last April. The previous year, there were three callouts.

However, Mr Culpan said the council was only usually called when there was a dispute between an accommodation provider and a guest about the presence of bedbugs.