Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are well-known human pests. The most common species found in the UK is Cimex lectularius, found in domestic houses. In Britain, there are three other species that are parasitic on birds and bats.
Bed bugs are tiny, oval-shaped insects around 5-7mm long, that feed on the blood of people and animals, usually at night. They are reddish-brown in colour but can change to deep purple or red after a meal.
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Bedbugs normally hide in mattresses, bed frames, or furniture. They are typically found in hostels, hotels, and blocks of flats due to high turnover of people. They are not a reflection on the cleanliness of the venue or your home.
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They are excellent hitchhikers! People usually find them after returning from a holiday in areas where they are endemic such as Mexico, USA, and parts of Europe. Bedbugs can also enter your home from second-hand furniture or even after using public transport.
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The first sign people usually notice are bites when they wake up in the morning. As a nocturnal insect they are most active at night and respond to heat. When you get into bed, they can bite exposed areas of skin like: arms, legs, and face. These bites can be very itchy and there may be tiny blood spots on your bedding from the bites or squashing them in your sleep.
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We have years of experience dealing with bedbugs and use licensed, high-strength insecticides and heat treatments that kill bedbugs at every life stage.
Bedbugs are notoriously difficult to treat and home treatments are rarely successful. They are excellent at hiding and can live for months without feeding and have become increasingly resistant to common insecticides. A downside of DIY treatments is that failed attempts can cause them to migrate to other areas of your home.
Your Extermilex pest controller will require some input from you and will advise you on their visit what is required. You can also read more here on what you can do to assist the process: