Bed bugs can be one of the more difficult household pests to deal with. They are small, good at hiding and can spread between properties by travelling in luggage, clothing, furniture and other belongings. Importantly, having bed bugs is not a sign of a dirty home. They can affect almost any property and are particularly associated with places where there is a regular movement of people, including hotels, accommodation, rented properties and shared housing.
If you think you might have an infestation, knowing what to look for and acting quickly can make a considerable difference. Here we look at how to get rid of bed bugs, how to reduce the chances of bringing them into your property and what to do if you discover an infestation.
How to Spot Bed Bugs
Adult bed bugs are small, flat insects, generally reddish-brown in colour. Their size and ability to hide in very narrow spaces mean you may notice evidence of an infestation before you actually see a live insect. Despite their name, they aren’t restricted to beds. They tend to remain reasonably close to somewhere people regularly rest or sleep because they feed on blood, usually during the night. They can therefore be found around mattresses and bed frames but also behind headboards, along skirting boards, inside furniture and within cracks and crevices.
Common Signs of Bed Bugs
Look out for:
- Small dark spots or staining on mattresses, bedding or furniture
- Blood spots on sheets or bedding
- Shed skins or eggs around mattresses and furniture
- Live insects hiding around mattress seams, bed frames or headboards
- Unexplained bites, often appearing on exposed areas of skin
Bites alone aren’t enough to confirm that you have bed bugs, as reactions vary considerably between people and can look similar to bites from other insects.
If you’re unsure, professional identification is the best way to establish exactly what you’re dealing with before beginning treatment.
How to Prevent Bed Bugs
Unfortunately, there is no completely foolproof way of preventing bed bugs. They are excellent hitchhikers and can be introduced into even the cleanest property. There are, however, some sensible precautions you can take.
Be Careful When Travelling
Hotels and other accommodation are common places for bed bugs to spread simply because so many people and their belongings pass through them.
When staying away from home, check the mattress and headboard for obvious signs before unpacking. Avoid putting your suitcase directly onto the bed and keep clothing and belongings organised rather than scattered around the room.
Check Your Luggage When You Return
After travelling, inspect suitcases and bags before putting them away. Washing suitable clothing at an appropriate hot temperature and drying it thoroughly can also help reduce the risk of bringing unwanted passengers into your home.
Take Care With Second-Hand Furniture
Upholstered furniture and mattresses can potentially harbour bed bugs. Check second-hand items carefully before bringing them into your property, particularly around seams, joints and folds.
Act on Early Signs
Perhaps the most useful preventative measure is simply being aware. One or two unexplained signs are much easier to investigate than an infestation that has been allowed to develop unnoticed for several months.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs can be particularly difficult to eliminate yourself because treating the insects you can see doesn’t necessarily address those hidden elsewhere in the room. They can hide deep within furniture, cracks, bed frames and other inaccessible areas. Their eggs and different life stages also need to be considered when developing an effective treatment programme. This is why established bed bug infestations normally require a professional pest control treatment.
We’ll assess the property to determine the extent of the problem and identify the areas requiring treatment. We’ll then explain what preparation is required and recommend an appropriate treatment programme. Depending on the circumstances, more than one visit or treatment may be necessary to deal with the infestation effectively.
Should I Throw My Mattress Away?
Not necessarily. Discovering bed bugs doesn’t automatically mean that your mattress, bed or furniture needs to go to landfill. Removing infested furniture without taking appropriate precautions can also spread bed bugs to other areas of the property. Speak to a pest control professional before disposing of items so that the infestation can be properly assessed.
What Should I Do If I Find a Bed Bug?
Don’t panic, but don’t ignore it either. If possible, avoid moving bedding, furniture and other belongings into different rooms as this could spread the infestation. Avoid randomly applying different insecticides or household treatments without first knowing what you’re dealing with. Instead, contact us and we’ll get rid of your bedbugs.
Can Bed Bugs Spread Around a Property?
Yes. Although they are commonly concentrated around sleeping areas, established infestations can spread into adjoining rooms and other parts of a building.
This can be particularly problematic in hotels, flats, HMOs and other multi-occupancy accommodation where there are adjoining rooms and a regular turnover of occupants. Early identification is therefore particularly important for landlords, accommodation providers and property managers.
Think You Have Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs rarely resolve themselves, and waiting can give an infestation more opportunity to spread. If you’ve found an insect you think could be a bed bug, noticed suspicious marks around your mattress or are waking with unexplained bites, contact us.
Our experienced team can help identify the problem, assess the extent of any infestation and provide professional treatment to get it under control. Call us on 0800 592011 or contact us online to arrange an inspection.
