Some Bedbugs Facts
The Common Bedbug (Cimex lectularis) is found throughout Britain. It is generally regarded as one of the most resilient of pests and treatments need to be thorough if they are to succeed. Bedbugs are not regarded as a health risk and are not believed to spread disease, however their bites can be painful and can cause infection if scratched.
Bedbugs can be found anywhere in your home, most commonly where people sleep. They are generally nocturnal, being most active around dawn. During the day they will hide in the smallest of gaps, such as underneath wallpaper, inside light sockets, alarm clocks, telephone handsets etc.
How do you know if you have Bedbugs?
Early infestations of bedbugs can be extremely difficult to identify. Adult Bedbugs measure about 4mm in length and will vary in colour from almost transparent, to a dark reddish-brown, depending on when they last fed. As bedbugs grow they shed their outer ‘skin’ several times and this shed layer (known as exuviae) can often be seen in an infested house. The eggs are white and less than 1mm in length which makes them very difficult to spot.
Bedbug bites can leave rows of welts on exposed skin. Other insects such as fleas or carpet beetles can produce similar symptoms, but blood-staining on and around mattresses tends to suggest bedbugs.
What do you do if you suspect that you have Bedbugs?
Your first instinct may be to throw out your mattress. This is understandable, but ill-advised as it is likely to make matters worse. By carrying the mattress through your home you run the risk of spreading the Bedbugs. It is also likely that the replacement mattress will become infested. It is often not essential to remove a mattress, but if it is removed this needs to be done with care.
Complimentary Methods of Control
1) Hoovering
Hoovering is generally a good idea. Vacuum cleaners should have HEPA filters (many household vacuum cleaners now come fitted with HEPA Filters). The hoover bag should be carefully discarded in an outside bin, or bagless cleaners emptied outside after each use.
2) Washing
Washing clothes at 60°C for a minimum of 30 minutes will kill all life stages.
3) Tumble Drying
A hot tumble dry – 30 minutes at 40/45°C kills all life stages.
4) Freezing
Clothes that are too delicate to be washed at 60°C can be placed in a freezer. The clothing needs to be at a temperature no higher than -17°C for 10 hours to ensure all life stages are killed.
Hoovering and hot washes will not eradicate bedbugs but can complement a professional pest control treatment.
Treatment
With the right equipment, it is entirely possible to treat bedbug infestations successfully and the treatment can be straightforward. Occasionally however bedbugs can be resistant to insecticides and more than one treatment may be required.
DIY treatments are unlikely to eradicate bedbug infestations.
Bug treatments
Local bug treatments? Does the ‘bug’ you are looking at bite? Don’t take any chances, call us and we will tell you.
What do bed bugs look like
There are lots of images on the internet, but this should give you some idea. They vary in colour from transparent to blood red.
Pest Control Testimonial, Marlow
Hi Ged, we’ve just got home and wow your guys have done such a thorough job. We are very impressed and very pleased. Thank you so much
Bedbug customer Marlow