Factsheet: Harare council battles bedbugs “tsikidzi” outbreak

Harare’s municipal pest control section is battling an outbreak of bedbugs, locally known as tsikidzi, around dilapidated Matererini and Matapi residential flats in Mbare township, and hopes that its fumigation and awareness programme will contain the spread of the bugs in Zimbabwe’s capital city.

Harare City Council confirmed the bedbugs outbreak on April 6, 2025.

What are the facts about bedbugs, and how to contain them

Bedbugs, what are they?

Bedbugs are small, flat wingless insects that are reddish-brown in color and approximately one-quarter inch long, before feeding (about the size and shape of a small apple seed).
They hide during the day on beds (mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, headboards) and in cracks and crevices of walls, floors and furniture. They come out at night.
They do not fly or jump, but they can crawl rapidly.

How do bedbugs get into your home?

They can come from other infested areas or from used furniture. They can hitch a ride in luggage, purses, backpacks, or other items placed on soft or upholstered surfaces.
They can travel between rooms in multi-unit buildings, such as apartment complexes and hotels.

How to control a bedbug problem in your home

Clean and get rid of clutter, especially in your bedroom.
Move your bed away from walls or furniture.
Vacuum molding, windows and floors every day. Vacuum sides and seams of mattresses, box springs and furniture. Empty the vacuum or the bag immediately and dispose of outside in a sealed container or bag.
Wash sheets, pillow cases, blankets and bed skirts and put them in a hot dryer or under sunlight for at least 30 minutes.
Seal cracks and crevices and any openings where pipes or wires come into the home.
⁠Avoid second hand clothing or fumigate them before use to prevent introducing bed bugs into your living space.

What are authorities doing to contain the bedbugs outbreak?

Integrated Pest Management in Mbare flats which includes fumigation and mass education of the affected community members and their settings. The City Council scheduled 3 rounds of fumigation in Mbare Flats.

Call for stakeholder partnerships – The City health department has called on partners and stakeholders to facilitate mobilisation and response resources

Sustainability – City of Harare is in the process of urgently procuring the services of private fumigation companies to quickly get on the ground and sustain operations.

N.B. Report all suspected cases of bedbug infestations to City Health Department on 0242774141-3.