Bed Bug Pest Control

Bed Bugs

There are very few people who don’t know the rhyme ‘Goodnight, sleep tight, and don’t let the bed bugs bite’ but it is unlikely many people really give much thought to the reality of the saying, particularly in relation to bed bug pest control.

Bed bugs are far more common than many may realise. People often associate them with unhygienic conditions, but that is far from the case now, for a number of reasons.

How can I get bed bugs?

Bed bugs are commonly spread through increased travel and staying in hotels, or other accommodation where they can enter luggage. They are sometimes found in secondhand furniture which has been moved from a contaminated property, and they also spread through natural migration whilst they search for food, by moving between rooms in houses or even between adjoining properties where there are gaps in the structure. We have even seen cases where bed bugs have entered a property in brand new imported furniture.

How to check for bed bugs?

Usually the first anyone knows that they have bed bugs is the tell-tale red bites, which are often in a line or in a cluster. These can be very itchy and can swell. NHS advice on treatment for bed bug bites can be found here.

Other signs of bed bug presence might include spots of blood on bedding; small brown spots on bedding or furniture (bed bug faeces); and sometimes it is possible to actually see bed bugs as they are visible to the naked eye. Whilst they have a number of life stages, adult bed bugs are around 5mm in length and are brown in colour. They are almost disc-like in shape.

How to get rid of bed bugs?

Bed bugs like to hide in cracks and crevices in and around the bed (due to that being their primary food source location when you are sleeping there!). They also lay their eggs in these areas and this can make them particularly difficult to treat, so it is always recommended to seek professional advice as soon as you suspect you have an infestation. DIY treatments are usually unsuccessful and can result in increased resistance among bed bugs to some insecticides.

At iX5 Pest Control we offer a range of treatments, but usually recommend a commercial 180^oC steam treatment of beds, mattresses and bedding as this provides an instant result on all bed bugs and eggs, and this is normally followed up with a residual insecticide treatment. Due to the bed bug lifecycle we recommend a follow-up treatment around two to three weeks after the first, and also recommend that treatment is undertaken in all adjacent rooms to ensure the best chance of eradication.

If you suspect you have bed bugs in your property or require assistance or advice on any pest matter, please contact us here or call us on 01604 328545

Bed Bug Pest Control

Bed bugs are hitch hikers and spread by attaching themselves to items of fabric like clothing, luggage or second-hand furniture. In the past, bed bug infestations were deemed to be caused by unhygienic conditions but with the rise of shared accommodation like hostels and hotels; travel, and the increase in people purchasing second-hand furniture, anyone can, through simple bad luck get an infestation. Adult bed bugs are a small, round and mahogany brown, they are shaped like a disc and measure around 6mm long. Although they can’t fly, they can crawl over and up almost any surface. The adults are active at night and hide in the crevices in beds, surrounding furniture and also behind skirting boards. This makes spotting them quite difficult. They will lay their eggs near to the host, i.e. us. The baby bed bugs, called Nymphs are so small that they can barely be seen. There are lots of myths about bed bugs feeding on dead skin and other human detritus, they actually feed on human blood and to get that they bite.

Bed Bug Infestations

With bed bugs and their eggs being so small, it can be hard to spot when you have an infestation but here are some clues to look out for:

Red bites on your skin typically in rows
Blood spots on sheets from squashing the bugs
Tiny black spots on sheets or bedframes from the bugs’ excrement
Mottled shells which have been shed by the bugs

Thankfully bed bug bites are not dangerous and bed bug bites don’t spread disease but they can be very irritating and itchy.

Preventing Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are very difficult to prevent but there are a few things you can do to keep them away:

Check second-hand furniture thoroughly before taking it home
If you have been travelling and think you have stayed in an infested place, wash all your clothes on a hot wash at 60°C or put them in a tumble drier on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes. If you can’t do that, take your clothes to the dry cleaner as soon as possible.
As a last resort, you might have to throw out anything that is infested.

Bed bugs are very difficult to eradicate without specialist knowledge and equipment. It is thought that bed bugs have developed an immunity to some household insecticides, but professional pest control companies like iX5 Pest Control have access to the most efficient equipment and insecticides. If you do have concerns regarding bed bugs get in touch with iX5 Pest Control. We will conduct a thorough survey and detail our recommended solutions, including advising on preventative measures. We use a range of control strategies depending on various factors such as the location, the extent of activity, and any sensitive receptors or non-target species. We offer bed bug pest control for domestic premises and businesses in Northampton, Daventry, Rugby, Market Harborough, Towcester, Brackley, Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby, Olney and all of the surrounding areas. Our team of specialists are available both evenings and weekends at no extra cost. Should you require assistance call us on 01604 328545, email [email protected] or use our simple contact form.