How to get rid of bedbug infestations

Britain is facing a bedbug epidemic which is set to sweep the world – so find out how to prevent and exterminate bedbug infestations in your property now.

Britain is facing a bedbug epidemic

The World Health Organisation says that bedbugs are on a worldwide rise; New York has experienced a 71% increase in infestations since 2001 and there has been a threefold rise of cases in the UK in the last decade. Bedbugs are one of the most persistent pests you can come across – their bites cause itching and sleepless nights, not to mention untold stress – so find out how to prevent, spot and eradicate bedbug infestations here.

What are bedbugs?

Bedbugs are small brown insects which are as flat as a piece of paper and feed on human blood. The pests like to hide near their hosts and are attracted by the CO2 we produce when we breathe. They can suck up to four times their body weight in blood in only 15 minutes and can live for up to a year without a meal, says pest control company Rentokil. An infestation of bedbugs can take over your home quickly; just one bug can produce up to 300 eggs over a two month period. Their bites can cause itching, possible allergic reactions and extreme distress.

Simon Lambert, from Harry Jackson Pest Control in Worthing says: “Bedbugs are the most difficult pest to get rid of, if you can slip a piece of paper into a crack then bed bugs can get in there too – you need a thorough inspection of the whole house to find them all.”

Bedbugs will hide in:

• Mattresses
• Bed frames
• Furniture
• Flooring
• Cracks in walls, ceilings and skirting boards
• Clothing and bedding
• Luggage
• Light fittings and electrical sockets

Bedbugs were common in the 19^th Century and infested around 75% of British homes at their peak. Use of strong pesticides virtually eradicated the bugs after the Second World War but their numbers began to rise again after the use of pesticides was banned in the 1970s. Experts at Cambridge University even claim that bedbugs have grown resistant to chemicals now and point to an increase in foreign travel as one of the causes of their growing numbers.

Spotting bedbugs

It is much easier to tackle a bed bug infestation in its early stages, so be vigilant and know what to look for. “If there is an infestation we will search the property thoroughly for bed bugs, taking apart beds, looking in drawers,” says Simon. Here are some things to look out for:

• Blood spots on bedding
• Bites on your body – they may appear as a red rash or raised bumps commonly arranged in triangular patterns and usually found on the arms, feet and hands.
• Bedbugs crawling around your home, particularly in the bed frame or underside of your mattress. Adult bugs can be up to 7mm in size and may appear reddish brown in colour if they have just fed on you.
• Black faecal spots on furniture, bedding or bed frames
• A strong sweet smell, or musty odour

How to prevent bedbugs

Bedbugs can strike any household so everyone should be aware of how to prevent an infestation. “There is nothing shameful about having a pest problem,” says Simon, “On the whole pest problems just happen, it’s not a reflection of your income or where you live.” Nevertheless, here are some tips on how to prevent bedbugs:

Regular cleaning can help
prevent infestations

• Avoid bringing second hand furniture into your home; this is one of the main ways in which bedbugs are spread. If you do buy used furniture, check it thoroughly for signs of bugs beforehand
• Bedbugs are also commonly spread by travelling abroad and staying in hotels and guesthouses, so be extremely careful when you travel. Inspect your room as soon as you arrive, placing luggage in the bathtub whilst you do so. Alert the hotel if you notice any sign of bedbugs

• Before moving into a new property, inspect it for signs of bedbugs and check whether the building has a history of infestations
• Regularly clean and vacuum your home and be alert for signs of bedbugs.
• Use a mattress cover

Dealing with a bed bug infestation

Simon points out that: “The best advice is to deal with the problem straight away, hire a professional, ideally someone who is registered with the British Pest Control Association.” A pest control company should carry out a detailed inspection and may use a range of sprays or powders, over several applications, to deal with the bedbugs. Rentokil have developed a new heat treatment to deal with bugs called Entotherm. This technique involves blasting hot liquid through pipes to a heat exchanger in the infested area. This dehydrates and kills the bedbugs and their eggs.

Whilst you should always hire a pest control professional, there are some things you can do yourself to treat a bedbug infestation:

• Take apart the bed and vacuum the frame and mattress regularly
• Vacuum your home every day, taking care to dispose of the contents straight away in a sealed bag
• Wash everything, especially clothes and bedding, on the hottest setting possible. Dry and seal in plastic bags until the bugs have gone
• Once the property has been treated, seal all cracks in walls, ceilings and floors
• In extremely bad infestations it may be necessary to get rid of mattresses, bed frames or furniture
• Change your bedding regularly
• Place bed legs in glasses of water to stop bedbugs from climbing up
• Be careful not to spread bugs in your clothing