July 2006

Newsletters

Useful information and professional treatment solutions

www.Bed-Bugs.co.uk

Providing the UK’s most extensive information on bed bugs since June 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

London is currently experiencing a massive increase in bed bug infestations with an estimated 300% increase year on year.  If identified quickly they can be eradicated and may only be a problem for a few days, if left to “take hold” the problem can persist for significant lengths and be extremely costly to resolve.

 

They spread via exposure and can become a problem in all sorts of residences regardless of hygiene and living conditions, they spread through contact and can be carried in luggage or on clothing.  Increasingly they are being picked up by travelling both within the UK and abroad.

 

Common signs of bed bugs are illustrated below:

Blood spots left by bed bugs close to the areas that they rest and digest their food.  The extent of the blood spots is a good indication of the duration of the infestation.

 

A trained treatment technician or member of staff will know what areas to search given the type of furniture that is present and the location of the bites.

Close up of male and female adult bed bugs, well fed specimens tend to have a larger area of dark brown in the abdomen.

 

Infestations can result from a single adult female which has the ability to lay up to 150 eggs per day.

Bed-bugs.co.uk offers a range of services to help you avoid infestations and treat them if necessary:

 

             Rapid eradication of infestations

                          Rapid response to all London postcodes with no call out for office hours visits

                          Contract and ad hoc commercial services available

                          Procedural manual and step by step guides available

             Staff training in the identification and avoidance of infestations

             Site inspections and design consultation to limit potential infestations

 

To discuss any issues in confidence check our website or call 020 7720 6468.

November 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spread the word not the bed bugs

 

Incidences of bed bugs in London and the UK continue to increase month on month with some areas reporting as much as a 900% increase in the last 12 months.  With 60% of the people bitten by bed bugs showing no initial signs of having been exposed early detection is essential to avoiding a major infestation.

 

Responding to bites is not the best way to determine if you have been exposed to bed bugs, inspection, early detection and rapid treatment is the only solution.  Once a month spend 10 minutes inspecting for the signs around your sleeping area.  The signs to check for are:

 

· Blood spots on your sheets and bed linen

· Bed bugs hiding in nooks, crannies and crevices

· Black circles caused by the remains of blood meals

Adult bed bugs can be seen around the bed; they are 3-5mm in length and look like a flat ladybird with an armour shell.

 

They hide extremely well are not the best early indication of an infestation.  Check for the other physical signs below.

Blood spots left by bed bugs close to the areas that they rest and digest their food.  The extent of the blood spots is a good indication of the duration of the infestation.

 

These signs are often found on the bed themselves but they can also nest a significant distance away from the sleeping areas.

Close up showing blood spots found behind a bed on the skirting board.  The signs are often referred to a like marks made by a black felt tip pen.  They will smear if wiped away with a damp cloth or cotton bud.

 

Dealing only with bed bugs we can tell a lot from these signs so once identified they should be left in place until treatment.

Bed-bugs.co.uk offers a range of services to help you avoid infestations and treat them if necessary.

 

To discuss any issues in confidence visit our website or call 020 7720 6468.

February 2007

Blood spots left by bed bugs close to the areas that they rest and digest their food.  The extent of the blood spots is a good indication of the duration of the infestation.

 

Check the mattress seams for signs of activity, live bugs will usually hide on the darkest side of the bed in the frame and around the headboard.

Infestations can result from a single adult female which has the ability to lay up to 150 eggs which can hatch within 10 days. 

 

Bed bugs are prolific hitchhikers and can easily come home with you if your luggage comes into contact with them.

Bed-bugs.co.uk offers a range of services to help you avoid infestations and treat them if necessary:

 

To discuss any issues in confidence check our website or call 020 7720 6468.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travel advisory

 

Increasingly people are reporting bed bugs following European and Mediterranean short breaks some having checked the hotel rooms thoroughly.  The best defence for avoiding an infestation of bed bugs is to avoid contact:

 

· Check all hotel rooms or places that you stay before you unpack your bags.

· Seal your luggage in a wrap of cling film, ideally 3 layers deep when flying

· Remove wrap as soon as you leave the baggage reclaim area

If exposed stop to decontaminate your luggage before you infest your home

 

Be bedbug aware; there are reported cases in almost all countries of the world, a 15 minute check could save you months of avoidable irritation.  Travel safe and don’t bring back unwanted guests.

 

Common signs of bed bugs are illustrated below:

Phone: 020 7720 6468

Email: info@bed-bugs.co.uk