Bed Bugs are a hot topic at the moment with the media getting themselves into a real frenzy over the little blighters. So, what’s the truth and what’s fake news? With over 20 years’ experience in dealing with Bed Bugs in the UK, we try to cut through the hype and offer some facts whilst dispelling some myths.
A recent increase of bed bug reports in France has seen acres of press space given to this parasitic insect. With terrifying headlines such as “Mutant Bed Bugs Invade UK” , we can see why people are starting to get concerned.
The truth is, bedbugs have been present in the UK for hundreds of years and some evidence suggests they have been with us ever since we started walking on two legs. Pest control companies have long dealt with the insects in homes and hotels across Britain but are the recent headlines, right?
Bed Bug (or Cimex lectularius to use its scientific name)
Cimex, commonly referred to as bedbugs, are small, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals, including humans. In the adult form, they are around the size of a small ladybird so can easily be seen by the naked eye. They are not to be confused with Dust mites that cannot be easily seen without magnification-even though some (respectable) press outlets have confused the two!
Dust mites are present in every home in their billions and are not responsible for bites. They are tiny creatures that munch away on dead skin and pretty much do not affect our day-to-day wellbeing.
Dust Mite- Not to be confused with Bedbugs!
Why the sudden increase in Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are expert hitch-hikers that travel the globe through human travel. A surge of bed bug activity in the mid 90’s was attributed to the increase in cheaper air travel-particularly to and from the far east, allowing millions of people to easily move around the globe. Unfortunately, this also allowed bedbugs to increase their Airmiles and hitch around in luggage from country to country.
Hotels quickly became a hotspot for them as the frequent turnover of guests increased the risk of rooms becoming infested. Coupled with warm environments and a lack of knowledge from cleaning staff, they began to prosper until pest control professionals began fighting back.
Bed Bugs and faecal matter on a mattress
The recent increase in activity throughout France has most likely been in the making for many months and could well be due to the movement of people into France from warmer countries (where bed bugs are more prevalent). This may well have increased the number of bugs in hotels and bedsits. Reports of bed bugs on trains and busses are unusual and could mean there are genuinely much larger numbers in the general population than you would normally expect.
Why are they such a problem?
Ask any pest control professional and they will tell you that bedbugs are difficult to deal with. They are skilled at hiding in cracks, crevices, seams of mattresses, bed frames, furniture, and other hiding spots near where their host rests or sleeps. They prefer tight spaces close to their feeding areas so can be difficult to locate unless you really know what you are looking for.
Bedbugs are primarily nocturnal feeders and usually bite their hosts during the night. They are attracted to the carbon dioxide, warmth, and scent of their hosts. Bedbug bites are typically painless, and their saliva contains an anticoagulant, allowing for uninterrupted feeding. They are also very efficient so will not stray too far from their food source-which is usually you! As they feed at night, they know where you will be so often live around your sleeping area- hence the name Bedbug!
Can I prevent them?
Fortunately, as a general rule bedbugs are not native to the UK so you won’t find them crawling around outside or flying in through the window (they have underdeveloped wings, so cannot fly). Bedbugs do not just ‘appear’ in your house, they must be physically brought in on clothing, luggage or furniture from infested properties.
You are at risk of coming into contact of bedbugs at any establishment that offers sleeping arrangements where a previous occupant may have brought them in with them. Even large and expensive hotel chains have had issues in the past, so don’t attribute bedbugs just to low-cost accommodation. A recent survey by the British Pest Control Association found that 47% of pest control companies have shown NO increase in bedbug enquiries, 18% of companies said they had but they were false alarms and 35% said they have had an increase in actual cases.
The best advice would always be to check who you are sleeping with! If you are planning a holiday or break away, check around the mattress and bed frame when you arrive and report anything unusual.
Also be aware of second-hand furniture and give anything a good check around before you take it home. Small black dots or anything that looks like a bedbug life-stage (above), and you could be getting more than you bargained for!
Do the magic cures work?
If you listen to the press, you can prevent bedbugs with conkers, lemon juice, lavender sprays, 50p coins, rhythmic chanting and a myriad of other weird and wonderful magic cures. The truth is, they won’t work and if you do have bed bugs you will need help from a pest control professional. Ensure you contact a reputable company and get a couple of quotes. The larger companies do not necessarily offer the best value for money so it’s wise to shop around. The British Pest Control Association offer a great service where you can find a reputable pest controller in your area:- https://bpca.org.uk/find
In Summary
It’s probably fair to say that some of the current headlines surrounding bedbugs are sensationalist at best.
There are no hordes of biting, mutant insects invading UK homes and there has been a very small increase in actual bedbug numbers reported by pest control companies.
Due to the large number of confirmed reports in France, there is the likelihood that we will see an increasing number of bedbugs in the UK as there will certainly be insects that travel with overseas visitors. It will be up to hotels and accommodation companies to ensure they remain vigilant and employ the services of reputable professionals to deal with any issues.
For UK homeowners who aren’t planning time away the risk of encountering bedbugs is very small. So, sleep tight…and don’t let the bedbugs bite!…Top of Form
Craig Peniket
Shield Pest Management
Recent Comments