How to get rid of bed bugs UK

Bedbug Infestation: How to get rid of bed bugs

Bedbug infestations can be a distressing and frustrating experience. These tiny, nocturnal creatures feed on human blood and can cause itchy bites and sleepless nights. We will share our knowledge to answer the question ‘how to get rid of bed bugs’.

Firstly, it is important to understand the signs of a bedbug infestation. Bites and blood spots on the bed sheets are typically most obvious signs as well a live sighting. If you are un sure you can contact one of our trained professionals to provide advice or visit our shop where we sell a selection of bed bug monitors which you can place around your bed.

For infestations, the most successful treatment available is heat treatment and you can find out more by reading here.

Detecting Bedbugs

Visual Inspection: Thoroughly examine your mattress, bedding, and furniture for any signs of bedbugs. Look for small reddish-brown stains, dark fecal spots, shed skins, or live bugs hiding in crevices, when in doubt contact our team for some free advice.

Bed Bug Monitoring Devices: Set up passive monitors or sticky traps near your sleeping area to capture any bedbugs that may be present. These devices can help you track the severity of an infestation and guide treatment decisions, you can purchase these through our online store.

Bed bug are expert hiders and can squeeze into tiny spaces. Therefore, a professional inspection is

Bedbug Identification

They are small, oval-shaped insects with a reddish-brown color and flat bodies.
Identifying bedbugs involves looking for signs such as dark stains on sheets or mattresses, shed skins, and eggs.
Additionally, they emit a distinctive musty odor that can help in identification, but may not be present in smaller infestations.

recommended.

Containment and Prevention

Trapping Bedbugs

Bedbug traps are effective tools to capture bedbugs in your home, however they will not completely eradicate an infestation.

Identify the Infested Areas: Inspect your mattress, furniture, and cracks in the walls for signs of bedbug activity. Look for dark spots or stains, shed skins, or live bugs.
Set Up Traps: Place bedbug traps near the infested areas. These traps use bait or adhesive to attract and trap the bugs when they crawl over them. Ensure that the traps are strategically placed to intercept their movement.
Monitor and Dispose: Regularly check the traps for captured bedbugs. If you find any bugs, you can remove and repeat.

By trapping bedbugs, you will identify the level of infestation but it will not be possible to achieve complete eradication.

Cleaning Tips

Washing clothes, bedding, and curtains at a high temperature can effectively eliminate any bedbugs present.
Vacuuming infested areas, focusing on cracks and crevices, can help remove bedbugs and their eggs that are difficult to see or reach.

It is recommended after vacuuming that you empty the contents into a bin and remove outside to prevent it spreading to other areas of the house.

Discarding Infested Items

When dealing with the removal of infested items, it is essential to take prompt and decisive action. Eliminating infested items is a crucial step in eradicating bedbugs from your living space effectively.

To properly discard infested items, follow these three steps:

Identify Infested Items: Thoroughly inspect your belongings, focusing on areas where bedbugs are known to hide, such as furniture seams, cracks, and crevices. Any items that show signs of bedbug activity, including fecal stains or live bugs, should be considered infested.
Securely Bag and Seal Infested Items: Once identified, immediately place infested items into sealed plastic bags to prevent the spread of bedbugs to other areas of your home or building. Carefully seal the bags and ensure that there are no gaps or openings.
Proper Disposal: Coordinate with your local waste management services to determine the proper method of disposal for infested items. Depending on local regulations, you may need to label the bags clearly as “infested” before disposing of them in designated trash bins.

It is important to note that discarding infested items alone may not completely eliminate a bedbug infestation. It should be done in conjunction with other treatment methods to achieve optimal results.

Taking swift action when discarding infested items is crucial in preventing further.

Treatment Methods

When it comes to dealing with the persistent problem of bedbugs, it is highly recommended to use heat treatment. It is 100% effective and penetrates all the cracks and crevices that DIY methods and chemical treatments do not reach.

Bed Bug Heat Treatment

Bed bug heat treatment is a method used to eliminate bedbugs by subjecting them to high temperatures. This approach relies on the sensitivity of bedbugs to heat, as they cannot survive when exposed to temperatures above a certain threshold.

During high heat treatment, specialised equipment is used to raise the temperature in infested areas to levels that are lethal to bedbugs. The heat penetrates deep into cracks and crevices where bedbugs may hide, effectively killing them and their eggs.

One advantage of high heat treatment is that it does not involve the use of chemicals or pesticides, making it a safer option for those concerned about potential health risks. Additionally, this method can be targeted towards specific areas, reducing the need for extensive treatment throughout an entire space and can usually be completed in a single day.

It’s important to note that high heat treatment should be performed by trained professionals who have experience in using the equipment safely and effectively.

Chemical Approaches

Chemical treatments have been traditionally used to treat bed bugs, however the success rate for complete eradication is much lower than heat due to not being able to penetrate the cracks and crevices and areas that bed bugs are in.

Insecticides are potent chemical compositions specifically designed to target and eliminate bedbug infestations but will only treat areas they come in contact with.
These substances can be applied directly to affected areas or used as residual sprays for long-term prevention.
It is essential to follow the instructions provided by manufacturers when using Pesticides and Insecticides to ensure safety.
Different types of Pesticides and Insecticides exist, including aerosols, dusts, and liquid concentrates, allowing for versatility in application methods.

If you think you have a bed bug infestation at your home or business, then it is very important to act fast. Bed bugs can live up to 12 months and lay over 500 eggs in this time- which gives them plenty of opportunities to multiply.

Remember, that bed bug treatments work best when infestations are detected early and are eradicated permanently. It’s always best to contact a professional company for bed bug treatments to ensure complete eradication. Our friendly bed bug heat treatment team will be happy to discuss your options and any questions you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can you see bed bugs?

Can you see bed bugs? Bedbugs are small but you can see them. They range in colour from transparent to a dark reddish brown. Adults are roughly 4 to 5mm. They are very good at hiding, so look for telltale signs like rust coloured blood dots and shed skins on your furnishings, or bites on your body.

Q2. What causes bed bugs?

What causes bed bugs? Bed bugs can be found anywhere that humans live because they feed on human blood. This attracts them to any environment where they can hide out—with mattresses and upholstery the prime targets.

Q3. What are the signs that I have bed bugs?

What are the signs that I have bed bugs? Bed bugs are difficult to identify in the early stages of their life cycles. Most infestations are discovered due to bite marks and itching skin. Pest control professionals can usually identify droppings on bedding, uncover the places where the bugs hide and even smell the strong, sweet odours of a mature infestation.

Q4. How do I kill bed bugs?

How do I kill bed bugs? It can be hard to eradicate bedbugs completely. They are usually nocturnal and are very good at hiding. If you have seen the signs of bedbug activity, it is usually a sign of a serious infestation. Contact a professional to guarantee all bedbugs are killed permanently.

Q5. How to prevent bed bugs

Preventing bed bugs from entering your home or business can be a challenge. They are usually picked up whilst travelling and are difficult to see. By taking small measures you can help prevent bed bug infestations. Read our page on how to prevent bed bugs for more information.

Q6. What do bed bug bites look like?

The problem with bed bug bites is that they can be easily confused with other insect bites. Each person bitten will react differently. Their bites are usually red and itchy. Take a look at our article what do bed bug bites look like for more information.

Free Quote for all Bed Bug Treatments Nationwide

"*" indicates required fields

Free Quote