Bedbugs

Bedbugs are wingless, oval-shaped insects, usually about 6mm long. When they have not eaten they are pale brown in colour, but become reddish brown to mahogany when fully fed on blood. The head has a large anntenae and the mouthparts are well adapted for piercing the skin. Young bugs (nympths) are nearly colourless, becoming brownish as they mature and moult five times before adulthood. Bedbugs can crawl up vertical surfaces of wood, paper and plaster.

Bedbugs are found wherever human beings sleep within a property. They can be carried in to a home on luggage brought in after a stay in an infested hotel or dwelling, as well as on second-hand furniture and in very rare cases, clothing. Bedbugs are nocturnal and spend most their time hiding in areas, such as floor cracks, under carparts, behind loose wallpaper or pictures, loose skirting boards and door frames, and the surrounding structures of infested rooms. They commonly appear in the seams, piping and buttons of bed mattresses and on bedroom furniture.

These insects feed exclusively on blood, normally every 3 - 4 days and generally only in darkness. Although human blood is preferred, they can survive on the blood of rabbits, cats, dogs and rodents etc; Bedbug can survive extreme starvation and have been known to survive up to 12 months without feeding.

What are the signs of an infestation?

Aside from live sightings, evidence of faecal marks near cracks and crevices, on bed linen and bed frames can be signs of infestation. If there are bedbugs in sufficient numbers an unpleasant almond-like smell may be detected in infested rooms.

Are bedbugs a health hazard?

The close associtation of bedbugs with humans can cause a substantial nuisance through the blood feeding habits. Bites often result in a hard, white swelling - unlike flea bits, which leave a dark red spot. Itching caused by bites and the possibility of secondary infection caused by scratching is most common. If infestation is high then there is a risk as anaemia.

Bedbugs are not know to be carriers of human disease.

How can I get rid of an infestation?

Treatment must be very thorough and should therefore be carried out by a professional. The Council do offer this treatment as part of their Pest Control Service.

The standard treatment for infested premises is the application of an insecticide approved for use against bedbugs, This is applied to all cracks and crevices where bedbugs could be hiding, including bed frames, flooring, skirting boards etc; Mattresses can be lightly sprated with a water-diluted spray. All bed linen should be washed at the hottest temperature the material will allow. It is recommended to avoid vacumminig for seven days after treatment.