Information about bedbugs
Bedbugs are small insects that feed off blood and can cause discomfort if they make their home in your bed.
They can't fly and must either crawl or be passively transported on clothes, furniture or commonly luggage after visiting a hotel or hostel etc. They are able to survive many months without feeding. The hiding place will be close to where the host sleeps: in the bedframe, mattress, bedside furniture, skirting, behind wallpaper, anywhere that provides a dark harbour during the daylight hours for these nocturnal creatures.
Bedbugs aren't regarded as disease carriers, but their blood feeding can cause severe irritation to some people. The bite often gives rise to a whitish, hard swelling which distinguishes it from a flea bite, which leaves a dark red spot surrounded by a reddened area.
Bedbugs can be difficult to get rid of because they hide so well.
Treatment can be carried out professionally by our pest control service.
Our service
The standard treatment costs can be found on our domestic fees page.
This covers:
- Initial visit, assessment and quote based on the estimated number of visits/time required
- Advice on possible infestation cause and measures to deal with it
- If necessary, an insecticidal spray, dust and/or fumigation (ULV) treatment will be applied to the affected rooms, furnishings and furniture
- Any subsequent treatment visits will be agreed with the customer
As detailed below, customers have to prepare the affected rooms for treatment. If the room isn't adequately prepared it could delay treatment and it will take longer to treat the problem.
What to do to help the treatment work
Before the treatment begins, all occupants, including pets, must leave the property and not return for a minimum of three-four hours after the treatment has taken place. Aquariums can remain in place as long as the filtration and aeration systems are turned off and the tank is adequately covered. The filtration and aeration systems can be turned back on six hours after treatment.
Anyone who is pregnant or had allergies or asthma should take the necessary precautions.
All clutter should be removed from the room, or rooms, to be treated.
If possible, steam clean, wet vacuum or shampoo any carpet and furnishings. Vacuum the mattress thoroughly, including the crevices, handles and buttons and vacuum bed frame, baseboards and objects/flooring close to the bed. Discard the vacuum bag: Place in a tightly-sealed rubbish bag before disposal.
Remove all clothing from wardrobes and place in clean plastic bags.
Bookshelves, bedside tables or other furniture in the immediate area must be emptied so that the pest control officer can spray the undersides of the furniture. Place all items in tightly-sealed bags and leave them in the room to be treated.
All clothing in the laundry baskets should be placed in rubbish bags, sealed and emptied directly into the washing machine. When the washing cycle has finished, the clean laundry should be placed in new bags and sealed during the treatment process. The bags used for transporting the dirty clothes should be disposed of outside the property as they may contain bedbugs.
All bedding must be removed before the pest control officer arrives. Soiled bedding should be washed in hot water or dry cleaned before or soon after the treatment to prevent re-infestation. Pillows should also be placed in the dryer on high heat for at least 20 minutes. After treatment, bed valances should be avoided, bedding tucked in tightly and the bed kept 5cm away from the wall.