BED BUG CONTROL

 

Bedbugs are 4-5mm in length, wingless and reddish brown in colour. They are relatively flat enabling them to squeeze into small cracks and holes. They are active at night, when they emerge to feed. Bedbugs draw blood from human hosts; their bites can be very irritable and cause prolonged itching.

 

WHY DO I HAVE BED BUGS?

 

Bedbugs cannot fly and will not crawl long distances to infest news areas. Instead they are transferred from site to site among belongings or clothes. For example, they may have been brought in on a second-hand piece of furniture, or in clothes after visiting an infested room.

 

 

WHAT DOES THE TREATMENT INVOLVE?

 

The treatment for bedbugs is highly intensive. We will need to inspect all parts of the premises for infestation, searching cracks and crevices. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to get rid of so control depends on treating all these areas. There is additional work that YOU are required to carry out before and after our visits to make the treatment successful.

 

 

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE THE TREATMENT?

 

All bedding, clothing, cushions, curtains and any other fabric items need to be washed at 90oC and ideally tumble-dried at 45oC for at least 45 minutes. Placing smaller items at very low temperature (of   –17oC) for at least 10 hours is also effective in killing bedbugs. 

All clean items must be kept in sealed containers or bags until treatment is complete to prevent re-infestation. Non-washable items that show signs of activity should be discarded.

All carpeted areas should ideally be steam-cleaned and then vacuumed.  Bedbugs are likely to seek refuge in rarely disturbed areas, such as underneath furniture and along wall floor junctions. They may also be inside furniture, so wardrobes, draws and cupboards should be emptied and vacuumed so we can spray them. 

 

Your bed must be completely stripped of soft furnishings. We will need to inspect and treat all parts of the bed frame; any fabric on the base should be opened or removed prior to our visit.

 

All storage (for example under beds, in washing baskets or on floors) needs to be removed and all rooms need to be thoroughly tidied to ensure that our chemicals reach all areas.

Any fragile or electrical items should be moved to a safe place, as our treatment is very intense and will involve moving and possibly turning over the bed and bedside furniture.

 

Any fish tanks and any other pets must be removed from the room/property during treatment and remain out for three hours afterwards.

​

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE VISIT?

 

A thorough inspection of your property will be carried to determine the extent of the infestation. You will then be asked to leave, and given a time at which you can re-enter.  This will be about 3 hours after the completion of the spray. A chemical spray will be applied to the infested areas. This contains a fast-acting insecticide and a growth regulating hormone which will quickly reduce the infestation and prevent the bedbugs from breeding. The insecticides can remain active for up to two weeks.

 

All floors should not be hoovered or washed for 2 weeks after the treatment, as this will remove the insecticide from the surface. We recommend 3 visits in total approximately 1 month apart.