The UK has its share of house pests.
Bed bugs are one of the most common and well-known.
But what exactly are they? How do you know if you have them? And how do you get rid of them?
Read on to find out.
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are a type of parasitic insect from the Cimex genus. There are two main types:
- The common bedbug (Cimex lectularius)
- The tropical bedbug (Cimex hemipterus).
It’s the common bedbug that is found in the UK.
In most cases, it’s found in furniture or bedding (its sometimes found in carpets and curtains, too). It has six legs and is reddish-brown. At about 6 millimetres long, it isn’t easy to spot with the naked eye.
Bed bugs feed on blood. They bite human (and animal) skin, causing rashes and itchiness. Treatment is available for this.
What causes bedbugs to appear?
Contrary to popular belief, they can’t spontaneously appear due to poor hygiene.
However, cleanliness is a useful preventative measure, as it reduces the chances of bedbugs surviving if they do get into your property.
Instead, they must be brought into the property, which can happen in several ways, including via:
- Second-hand furniture
- Luggage
- Clothing
- Pets.
And more.
How common are Bed Bugs in the UK?
Bed bugs are common in the UK. Studies show that they’re the second most common pest, after ants.
They are also tricky to spot, making them more likely to be spread elsewhere.
Bed bugs are most common in August and September. They are least common in January and February.
Signs that you’ve got bed bugs
Bites on your skin
Bed bugs are known to bite the skin of people nearby.
So, if you have itchy bites on your skin, this is a common sign.
Dark spots on your furniture
You may see the droppings of bed bugs on your furniture. These are small, dark spots.
They’re not easy to spot, but their colour may look conspicuous on the brighter sofa.
If there’s no explanation for how it got there, it could be bed bug droppings.
A musty smell
This is more often experienced with large infestations, rather than smaller ones. Groups of bed bugs can bring a slightly musty smell.
This can be both strong and sweet. Investigate whether anything else could be causing it.
Shed bed bug skins
The exoskeletons of bed bugs might be found around your furniture. This is their shed skin.
You’ll usually see it in seams of mattresses, bed frames, or furniture cracks.
How to get rid of bed bugs in the UK
1. Contact a local pest control expert
This is the most expensive option but also the one with the highest likelihood of success.
An expert usually uses a range of techniques, including:
- Heat treatment
- Chemical sprays
- Dry steaming.
Of these, heat treatment is the most popular.
An expert can usually eliminate bed bugs in between 2 to 4 visits and costs around:
- £200 when using insecticide spray
- £300 when using heat treatment.
2. Put the affected upholstery in a hot wash
Temperatures over 60 degrees Celsius will kill bed bugs.
That’s why you should wash and dry your upholstery at this temperature. The NHS recommends that this is for at least 30 minutes.
3. Place your clothes or bedding in the freezer for a few days
Leave upholstery in the freezer for a few days, which gives you an excellent chance of killing all your bed bugs.
Can you sell a house with bed bugs?
Yes, you can sell a house with bed bugs.
You must disclose to the buyer that the property has bed bugs in the TA6 form.
Bedbugs in tenanted properties
It’s a landlord’s responsibility to get rid of bedbugs for tenants.
Those who don’t could risk action taken against them and even losing their landlord license.
