Bed bugs

Why treat them?

Bed bugs are found world-wide. They are nocturnal parasitic insects which feed on the blood of humans and other mammals.

By day they hide in cracks and crevices in beds, furniture, wallpaper and skirting boards, emerging when hungry, usually every few days, to feed.

Bed bugs are not regarded as disease carriers but their blood feeding can cause severe irritation in some people, resulting in loss of sleep and lack of energy, particularly in children.

The bite often gives rise to a hard, whitish swelling which distinguishes it from the flea bite which leaves a dark red spot surrounded by a reddened area.

Heavily infested rooms may carry a distinctive and unpleasant almond-like smell  which is given off by the bed bugs 'stink glands'.

'Blood spotting' on bed linen may also indicate activity as the fully fed bugs excrete excess water before returning to their narrow crevices.

Treatment

Once a bed bug infestation has been confirmed it is important that a reputable pest control company carries out a thorough treatment with a residual insecticidal spray or powder. It may be necessary to treat on more than one occasion to completely eradicate bed bugs.

To achieve the best results from a bed bug treatment it is important to carry out the following steps:

Before the treatment:

• All floors and upholstered furniture should be thoroughly vacuumed to remove animal hair, debris, eggs and pupae. Particular attention should be given to known harbourages such as bedrooms and other sleeping areas. (The vacuum bag must then be disposed of in a plastic bag in an outside waste bin.)
• All bed linen and clothing should be removed from infested areas and washed on the hottest wash possible.
• Toys, loose articles etc should be removed from the floor so that as much of the area can be treated as possible.
• Where possible, beds and other known harbourages should be completely dismantled to allow them to be thoroughly treated.
• Wardrobes and drawers should be emptied and the contents washed on the hottest wash possible.
• Tiled, concrete and wooden floors should be swept and washed or vacuumed.
• Remove all children, pets and other people during the treatment and ensure that aquariums are removed or covered. (Fish are particularly susceptible to insecticides.) Any open food should also be covered or removed.

Following the treatment:

• Adults, children and pets should not be allowed back into the house until the treatment has completely dried (normally within a few hours in a well ventilated property).
• Do not vacuum for at least 10-14 days after the treatment. This will give the insecticide time to eliminate all stages of the bed bug infestation.
• Thoroughly clean all food preparation surfaces before use.

Please note

Bed bug activity may be observed for several days after the treatment. This is not unusual and may be due to newly hatched bed bugs which have not yet come into contact with the insecticide. These insects will eventually die but can be treated with a normal insecticide spray (aerosol), which can be purchased from any supermarket, hardware shop or chemist.

Safety first

Please remember that pesticides are dangerous. Always read the label before use and follow the manufacturers instructions at all times. Keep pesticides away from children and pets at all times.

Further advice or treatment

If you have any questions about this information or would like a professional treatment, please contact us