Black Ants

Why should I treat Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are found world-wide and throughout the UK. They are nocturnal parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and other mammals. By day they hide in cracks and crevices in beds, furniture, wallpaper and skirting boards, emerging when hungry, usually every few days, to feed. Bed bugs are not regarded as disease carriers but their blood feeding can cause severe irritation in some people, resulting in loss of sleep and lack of energy, particularly in children. Their bite often gives rise to a hard whitish swelling which distinguishes it from the flea bite. It leaves a dark red spot surrounded by a reddened area. Heavily infested rooms may carry a distinctive and unpleasant almond-like smell, which is given off by the bed bugs 'stink glands'. 'Blood spotting' on bed linen may also indicate activity as the fully fed bugs excrete excess water before returning to their narrow crevices.

Treatment

Once a bed bug infestation has been confirmed, it is important that a thorough treatment with a residual insecticide spray or powder is applied. It may be necessary to treat on more than one occasion to completely eradicate bed bugs.

To get the best results from a bed bug treatment it is important to carry out the following steps. Before the treatment -

All floors and upholstered furniture should be thoroughly vacuumed to remove animal hair, debris, eggs and pupae. Give particular attention to places you know the bugs are, such as bedrooms and other sleeping areas. You must then dispose of the vacuum bag in a plastic bag or in an outside waste bin.
Remove all bed linen and clothing from infested areas and wash on the hottest wash possible.
Remove all toys and loose articles from the floor so that as much of the area can be treated as possible.
Where possible, completely dismantle beds and other objects, which bugs could use as harbourage, to allow thorough treatment.
Empty wardrobes and drawers, and wash the contents on the highest possible wash.
Sweep and wash or vacuum all tiled, concrete and wooden floors.
Remove all children, pets and other people during the treatment and ensure that aquariums are removed or covered - fish are particularly susceptible to insecticides. Cover or remove any open food.

What do I do afterwards?

Don't allow any adults, children or pets back in the house until the treatment is completely dried - this normally takes a few hours in a well-ventilated property Don't vacuum for at least 10-14 days after the treatment. This will give the insecticide time to eliminate all stages of the bed bug infestation. Thoroughly clean all food preparation surfaces before you use them. You might still notice bed bug activity for several days after the treatment. This is not unusual, and may be because of newly hatched bed bugs that haven't come into contact with the insecticide yet. These insects will die eventually.

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