Pest library
Bed bugs
Bed bugs travel in luggage and furniture. They are nothing to do with cleanliness, and they do not go away on their own.
Cimex lectularius
Bed bugs hide in the seams of mattresses, in bed frames, behind headboards and in skirting — anywhere within a few metres of where somebody sleeps. They feed at night and are very good at not being seen.
They arrive in luggage, second-hand furniture and delivered goods. A clean house is as vulnerable as any other, which is worth saying plainly, because embarrassment is the main reason people wait months before ringing anybody.
Signs you have bed bugs
- Rows or clusters of itchy bites, often on arms and shoulders
- Small dark spots on sheets, mattress seams and bed frames
- Tiny blood smears on bedding
- Shed skins and pale eggs in seams and joints
- A sweet, musty smell in a heavy infestation
Why it matters
- Persistent bites, poor sleep and real distress
- Secondary skin infection from scratching
- Spreads room to room through a building
- Serious consequences for a hotel or lodge if guests report it
How we treat it
Bed bug work has to be thorough or it fails. We inspect the room and the ones either side of it, treat every harbourage — frame joints, seams, skirting, furniture near the bed — and place monitors so we can prove the treatment worked.
A follow-up visit is not optional: eggs already laid are not affected by the first treatment, so we return to deal with what hatches. We will tell you before we start what you need to do about bedding and clutter, because the preparation matters as much as the treatment.
Book a free site inspection
Tell us what you are dealing with and we will assess the site, identify the source and quote you a treatment plan — at no cost.