Bed bugs are irritating insect pests that can cause skin infections, allergic reactions and even psychological symptoms similar to PTSD.
Because adult bed bugs grow to just 4–7 mm, or about the size of an apple seed, they can reach into tight hiding places, including down the sides of sofa cushions, in bed frames, deep inside mattress seams, and even behind loose wallpaper.
In these hiding places they can lay eggs, which hatch into nymphs. As such, it’s important that you kill bed bugs at all life cycle stages.
As a leading provider of bed bug control for homes and businesses across the UK, Copley Pest Solutions understands how hard it can be to eradicate these parasitic insect pests. Keep reading to learn how to get rid of bed bugs and ensure they’re gone for good.
Signs Of A Bed Bug Infestation
Bed bugs are minute insects, which means they can be difficult to see. The symptoms of bed bugs are often mistaken fleas. Some signs of bed bugs include:
- Bed Bug Bites: Bed bug bites look like red welts that are usually found on skin that’s exposed while you sleep, such as on your hands, feet, neck and face.
- Stains On Mattresses And Furniture: If you notice small, dark flecks on your mattress and bedding, then this could be squashed bed bugs, dropped of blood from bites or bed bug droppings.
- Shed Bed Bug Skins: While they are still small, shed skins don’t move or hide like live bed bugs, so you might notice papery-looking versions of bed bugs throughout your house. These skins are shed by immature bed bug nymphs as they grow.
- Bed Bug Eggs: If you notice tiny, white or yellow specks that look like grains of rice, these could be bed bug eggs.
- Musty Smell: A large bed bug infestation can cause a musty odour that can’t be removed by cleaning.
DIY Vs Professional Bed Bug Control: Which Is Best?
When it comes to bed bug control, professional pest control is faster and more effective than DIY alternatives. While there are over-the-counter bed bug products on the market, these are often not strong enough to penetrate deep into bed bug hiding places and effectively remove all bed bugs, nymphs and eggs.
Because bed bugs can lie dormant for up to a year without a blood meal, you may find that the infestation returns if you haven’t eradicated all bed bugs at every life cycle stage.
When you work with a professional pest control company like Copley, you know you’ll get fast treatment of your bed bug infestation. Our team are RSPH level 2 certified, with access to bed bug treatments that aren’t available to the general public, and our experience means we know how to use them effectively.
With our bed bug control service, we’ll take care of everything. Our team will provide you with expert guidance on any items that need washing in hot water and how to reduce the chances of a future infestation.
How Professionals Get Rid Of Bed Bugs
Most pest control companies, including Copley Pest Solutions, use a combination of chemical and heat treatments to eradicate bed bugs.
Heat Treatments
Heat treatments are an effective way to treat bed bugs hidden deep inside furniture and mattress seams. Heat treatment for bed bugs involves heating a specific room or piece of furniture to between 50°C to 60°C (122°F to 140°F).
At this temperature, bed bugs at all life cycle stages will die and can then be removed. This option is chemical-free and non-toxic, making it an ideal solution for residential and commercial properties.
Chemical Treatments
Residual insecticides can be effective when used alongside heat treatments. These products are only available to RSPH level 2 certified pest controllers like the team at Copley Pest Solutions.
As well as killing adult bed bugs, residual insecticides will remain on your property for several days to kill any newly-hatched bed bug nymphs and fresh eggs. Residual insecticides often require you to leave your property for some time and air-out the space once the treatment is complete.
How To Prevent Bed Bug Infestations
Some simple ways to reduce your chances of a bed bug problem include:
- Keep Your Property Clean: Cleaning regularly can help pick up early bed bugs and allow you to quickly notice any signs of an infestation.
- Always Wash Secondhand Items: If you regularly buy used furniture or secondhand clothes, make sure you wash them in hot water and hover all furniture as soon as you get it.
- Be Careful When Travelling: Bed bugs often hide in hotels and public transport seats, so make sure you are vigilant and always put all clothing in a hot wash and deep clean your luggage as soon as you return.
- Catch Bed Bugs Early: If you notice any signs of bed bugs, it’s important that you act fast, as a smaller infestation will be easier to treat.
Book Professional Treatment
As highlighted, professional bed bug treatment is the most effective solution to completely get rid of bed bug infestations.
Therefore, as soon as you notice signs of bed bugs, you need to book professional treatment. Copley Pest Solutions provides pest control services across Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Leeds, Halifax, West Yorkshire and other regions of the UK, including Sheffield, Blackpool, Manchester, York and beyond.
Alongside bed bugs, we can also treat all common pests, including rats, mice, squirrels, ants, moths, wasps and more.
If you’re ready to get rid of bed bugs for good, contact us on 08003029447 and a member of our team will be happy to discuss your bed bug problem.
