The UK is facing a bed bug epidemic, with pest control companies reporting a surge in infestations in recent years. Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that feed on human blood. They are typically found in mattresses, bedding, and furniture, and can be brought into your home on luggage, clothing, or even secondhand furniture.
Bed bug bites can be itchy and uncomfortable, and can sometimes lead to infection. While bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, they can cause significant distress and sleep deprivation.
How to avoid bed bugs:
- Be careful when staying in hotels, hostels, or other shared accommodations. Inspect your bedding for signs of bed bugs, such as live bugs, eggs, or fecal spots.
- Wash all of your clothes and luggage in hot water and dry them on a high heat setting after returning from a trip.
- Be careful when buying secondhand furniture. Inspect it carefully for signs of bed bugs before bringing it into your home.
- Vacuum your home regularly and pay special attention to your bedroom.
- Avoid sitting on seats that are visibly dirty or have any signs of bed bugs, such as live bugs, eggs, or fecal spots.
- If you are using public transport, avoid sitting on a seat that is visibly dirty. After riding on public transportation, inspect your clothes and luggage for signs of bed bugs. If you find any bed bugs, wash your clothes in hot water and dry them on a high heat setting.
How to check for bed bugs:
- Inspect your bed and bedding for live bugs, eggs, or fecal spots. Look in the seams of your mattress and box spring, as well as in the headboard and footboard of your bed.
- Check other furniture in your bedroom, such as dressers, nightstands, and chairs.
- Look for bed bugs in other areas of your home where they might hide, such as behind baseboards, in electrical outlets, and under carpets.
If you find bed bugs in your home, it is important to call a professional pest control company immediately. Bed bugs can be difficult to get rid of on your own, and professional treatment is often the most effective way to eliminate them.
Here are some additional tips to help prevent bed bugs from getting into your apartment:
- Seal any cracks or crevices in your walls and baseboards.
- Place weatherstripping around doors and windows.
- Use mattress covers and encasements to prevent bed bugs from getting inside your mattress and box spring.
- Avoid buying secondhand furniture, or carefully inspect it for signs of bed bugs before bringing it into your home.
- Wash your bedding regularly in hot water and dry it on a high heat setting.
- Vacuum your home regularly and pay special attention to your bedroom.
If you are concerned about bed bugs, you can also hire a professional pest control company to inspect your home and provide preventive treatment.
