How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Bed Bugs ( Cimex lectularis ) are nocturnal insects that feed on the blood of humans and other mammals. As they are active at night time, they hide away in cracks and crevices around the room during daylight hours. These hiding places can be in the frame joints of beds, drawer units or wardrobes, under or behind skirting boards and behind cracks and crevices in wallpaper seams. The bed bugs come out to feed every few days and that's when you may become aware that you have a problem

Bed Bugs grow to about 6mm in length, are oval in shape and the colour can range from reddish brown to mahogany.

Originally associated with poor housing, these insect pests have become far more common in recent years partly due to worldwide travel. A hotel or hostel may have an infestation and the insects can then be transferred back to your home in luggage or on clothing. Bed bugs can also be transported to new surroundings in second hand furniture or bedding. Also busy transport systems such as buses, trains and planes are where these pests can transfer from personal clothing or belongings of one person to another person. Busy shops or at the theatre are other places where you can pick up a bed bug!

Although not known to be carriers of disease, bed bug bites can be irritating and may cause an allergic reaction in some people. Not surprising that having bed bugs in the home is something to be taken seriously and eradicating bed bugs is a priority.

How and where to start in Getting Rid of Bed Bugs?

• Look for evidence of where these biting insects may be living. Check the bed mattress, especially the piping around the seams. These harbourage areas may reveal small blood spots as evidence that bed bugs are present. Turn the mattress over and check the same on the underside. Do the same procedure for any soft furnishings in the room such as curtains or cushions, taking the cushions out of cushion covers to fully check. Remember you are checking not only for the insects but also for small blood spots as evidence.
• Wash all bedding and cushion covers etc., on a hot wash temperature of 60 degrees. The heat from tumble drying can also be effective.
• Use a flashlight to check the bed frame joints and dismantle the joints if possible to clean and treat with a suitable insecticide.
• Remove drawers from furniture and inspect closely with a torch. Do the same around all joints of furniture. These areas will need to be cleaned and insecticide treated.
• Pull furniture away from walls and inspect behind. Do the same with any wall hangings. These are common areas where bed bugs live. Clean behind the furniture and apply a treatment with a spray insecticide followed with a bed bug killing powder applied to any nooks and crannies where the floor meets the wall before putting the furniture back.
• Thoroughly clean all affected rooms and their floor coverings, lifting edges of carpets where possible and vacuuming underneath. Remove the vacuum bag and place in a bin outdoors to avoid transferring the insects to another area.
• Remember that any items that are removed from an affected room may transfer bed bugs to another area so check and treat any items prior to removal and relocation.

What are the best best Bed Bug Killer Control Products to use to stop and get rid of Bed Bugs?

In most homes, a combination of products will give a fast eradication of bed bugs. Having been in the Professional Pest Control Industry for 40 years, we have sourced the best bed bug killing products to eliminate bed bugs in all situations. Remember, being thorough in inspection, cleaning and treatment is the key to quick and effective bed bug control.

• Bed Bug Kill or Prevent Kits available in different sizes depending on the severity of the bed bug problem and the extent or number of rooms that need treating.
• Midi Fumigation Smoke Bombs in different pack sizes depending on how many rooms need treating or Fumigating Power Foggers available as a twin pack. The fog from these fumers will permeate all the nooks and crannies where bed bugs are living and hiding.
• Formula D Bed Bug Kill and Control Sprays available as 1 litre or 5 litres depending on the size of the infestation. Our sprays are stronger for bed bugs and fleas than are normally sold as standard spray insecticides.
• Bed Bug Monitor to give an indication of where the bed bugs are moving to and from therefore giving a clearer idea of where to concentrate treatments.
• Bed Bug Traps for placing around bed legs to stop these biting insects from climbing into the bed. These traps come in two formats either for soft flooring or hard flooring.
• Insecticide Powder or Organic Powder is ideal for use in cracks and crevices where liquid sprays cannot be used such as where electric wires run. They are also used for deeper crevices where sprays would be more difficult to access, as the powder can be 'puffed' in to the crevices.
• Personal Protection Spray is a repellent for the skin to apply at night to prevent bed bug bites. This spray can also be used whilst bed bug control treatments are being carried out.