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Title: Has Your Office Caught The Cable Bug Author: DMBC  ID & Publication: 20071211017 ~ The-Villager.co.uk  Area: Doncaster  Subject: Community News

Worried workers across the Borough have been contacting the Council to report infestations of invisible insects in their offices, and this phenomenon is not restricted to Doncaster. Throughout the country, office-workers have been calling in pest control experts to rid their workplaces of the bugs, which cause itchy ‘bites’ and seem to have a particular liking for computer rooms and offices that contain a high volume of paper. But whilst insecticide sprays work for a short time, the strange bites soon return.

However, these occurrences - known as Cable Bugs - are not a new super-breed of insect – they’re not even insects at all. In fact, the ‘bites’ are caused by static electricity, which can easily build up in an office environment due to the large amount of electrical equipment, paper and synthetic carpets.

When someone walks around their office, a static charge can build up in their body. As they return to their metal-framed desk or filing cabinet, this is discharged into the metal, giving them a tiny electric shock, which feels like an insect bite and leaves an itchy mark on the skin. Minute flecks of paper and card can also become charged and embed themselves in the skin, causing the same biting sensation and skin marks.

Cllr Stuart Exelby, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Environment and Housing, explains some of the ways to identify static electricity problems and how to treat them:

‘We’re getting increasing numbers of reports about insect infestations that turn out to be static electricity. If the ‘bites’ don’t have puncture marks and nobody has seen any insects, your office could be suffering from Cable Bugs.

‘Insecticide sprays can seem to work at first, because they dampen the area, reducing static, but long term treatments include using anti-static solutions or mats, installing humidifiers, ensuring good ventilation and encouraging staff to wear non-rubber shoes.’

For further information about reducing static electricity, or any other issue to do with health and safety at work, you can contact Doncaster Council on 01302 737 635, or email health&safety@doncaster.gov.uk

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