With the panic about the bed bug infestations plaguing Paris and other French cities at the moment and talk of London showing signs of the same, it is a good idea to educate yourself on all things bed bug: what they are, how they travel, what they do, how you can prevent them, and what to do if you discover them in your home.
What are bedbugs?
Bedbugs are red, brown or yellow insects that can be up to half a centimetre long. They are wingless and have six legs and can be found in soft furnishings: clothes, upholstery, beds, headboards, and behind loose wallpaper.
How do bedbugs travel?
Bedbugs can hop onto anything: clothes, luggage, even furniture. You are more likely to be in touch with bedbugs and bring them home if you stay in hotels or hostels regularly. Bedbugs can also travel in clothing, so if you have a visitor to your home that has bedbugs on their clothes or luggage, or if you come into contact with them at someone else’s home or on public transport, they could hitch a lift home on your clothes.
What do bedbugs do?
Although they aren’t thought to spread disease, bedbugs are blood-sucking insects. This means that they bite and can leave red marks on the skin. In some cases, bedbugs can cause an allergic reaction; this is when you will notice them as they will itch. If you are not allergic to bedbugs, they won’t itch, which makes them more likely to go unnoticed until you have an infestation.
If you notice that you have a cluster of spots, with a darker spot in the middle, or you experience a severe reaction such as itching, blisters or hives, you may have bed bugs; speak to a pharmacist or doctor about your skin irritation, and you may need to consult a pest control specialist to deal with your infestation.
How can you prevent bedbugs?
Bedbugs thrive in cluttered environments, so minimising clutter in your house, especially around your bed, can help. You can help to prevent them by hot washing clothes that may have been in contact with bedbugs and tumble drying them for half an hour or more as soon as you come home. If you don’t have a tumble dryer, or you wore your favourite wool jumper on an infested bus, you can pop the clothes into a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for a few days (yes, really!). Bedbugs don’t thrive in particularly clean or dirty environments; although they are unpleasant to have, they are not necessarily a sign of an unclean home. However, vacuuming regularly and washing your bedding weekly can make it easier to get rid of bedbugs, and easier to spot them before it gets serious. Are you worried about bedbugs or any other unwanted guests in your home? If you think you have an infestation, contact your local authority, or skip the queues and get in touch with a local pest control specialist. For more advice, follow us on Facebook or X.