Bed bug treatment
Bed bugs are one of the most stubborn pests there is. They hide in tiny cracks, survive for months without feeding and usually need more than one treatment.
Signs to look for
- Itchy bites, often in a line or cluster, that appear overnight
- Small blood spots on sheets or pillowcases
- Tiny dark spots along mattress seams, the bed frame or headboard
- Flat, reddish-brown insects, about the size of an apple seed, hiding in seams and cracks
Why it matters
Bed bugs do not spread disease, but bites can be very itchy and infestations cause real distress and lost sleep. They travel in luggage and second-hand furniture, so they spread easily between rooms and properties.
The longer bed bugs are left, the bigger the job. If you have seen the signs, it is worth acting now.
What Steve does
- Inspect beds, furniture and the surrounding room to find where they are hiding
- Give you clear preparation instructions before treatment
- Treat the affected rooms with professional products
- Return for a follow-up treatment, usually around two weeks later, to catch newly hatched bugs
Keeping them out
- Check hotel rooms and luggage when travelling
- Inspect second-hand beds and furniture before bringing them home
- Do not move bedding or furniture to other rooms if you suspect bed bugs, as this spreads them
Bed bugs: your questions
Why does bed bug treatment need more than one visit?
Bed bug eggs are protected from most treatments, so a second visit is needed to deal with bugs that hatch after the first one.
I am a landlord. Who pays for bed bug treatment?
It depends on the tenancy and how the bed bugs arrived, but acting quickly matters more than who pays. Infestations spread between rooms and flats, so delay makes them worse and more costly.
Do I need to throw my mattress away?
Usually not. Most mattresses can be treated. Steve will tell you if something is too badly affected to keep.
Other pests Steve deals with
Covering Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex and Greater London, for homes and businesses.
Think you have bed bugs?
Call, WhatsApp a photo, or send a message. You deal with the person who will actually do the job.