Bed bugs can be hard to spot, but the signs that a bed bug has been in your bed can be easier to see. The signs of bed bugs include Dark reddish stains on bed sheets or mattresses caused by bed bugs being crushed. Dark spots of bed bug excrement on the bed. Eggs and eggshells, which are about 1mm in size and pale yellow or translucent skins that nymphs shed as they grow through each stage of their development. Some of these may only be visible in good light, so try pulling back the covers and using a torch to scan the bed.
Follow our guide on checking for bed bugs here.
What is the main cause of bed bugs?
Bed bugs can come from other infested areas or from secondhand furniture which we bring into our homes. They can also travel in luggage, bags or other items they can climb into and hide. They can easily travel quite long distances between rooms in hotels or apartment blocks. Unfortunately, you only know that it has happened once they appear in your bed!
What are the early signs of bed bugs?
The earlier you spot and treat a bed bug infestation, the more chance you have of successfully removing them. Early signs are reddish stains on your bedding or bites during the night. If you see these signs do not ignore them, always contact a bed bug specialist to confirm if you have an infestation. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to get rid of be bugs yourself. You can start by washing and drying your bedding at high temperature and if you are lucky, you may solve the problem.
Where do bed bugs hide on your body?
Bed bugs do not usually hide on the body but sometimes they may climb onto your clothes to travel. They prefer to feed on you at night, then return to their hiding place until they are hungry again. They do not always hide in your bed, often they will hide in cracks in door frames or skirting boards where they will nest.
What do bed bug bites look like?
Generally, bedbug bites leave an itchy bump where the bite occurred, a day after being bitten. Their bites usually look similar to mosquito bites, a swollen itchy red spot.
Everyone reacts differently to bites and some could have no reaction at all and others an extreme reaction with a swollen lump or an itchy rash. Bites will look different from person to person, and some people won’t even develop a reaction to being bitten. Some people will get a rash like eczema.
What Kills Bed Bugs?
Pyrethrins and Pyrethroids: Pyrethrins and pyrethroids are the most common chemicals used to kill bed bugs. Pyrethrins are botanical insecticides derived from chrysanthemum flowers and Pyrethroids are synthetic chemical insecticides that act like pyrethrins. Unfortunately over many years, bed bugs have developed some level of resistance to chemicals.
How to Check for Bed Bugs?
Look carefully at your bed sheets and mattress. Look for specks of blood especially near the seams. Also check for specks of blood on bed sheets, headboards and soft furnashings.
To identify bed bugs, use a credit card to scrape an area of the bed and you may see eggs or faeces. Bed bugs are around 4-7mm long and brown so you can see them with the naked eye. Try using a torch around the bed to look for early signs of bugs or their eggs. It may be better to check at night time as this is when they are most active.
If you need help to identify an infestation, please use our contact page to send us some photos and we will contact you to discuss them.
We can generally identify Bed Bugs from a few pictures and advise on the best course of action.
Contact the Heat Treatment Specialist
We have many years of experience in pest control and have developed to become a bed bug heat treatment expert covering London and surrounding areas.
Our heat treatment gives you peace of mind as we offer a 6-month guarantee on our heat treatments.
We offer a free, no obligation quote and our service is also fully discrete, we use unmarked vans and equipment, meaning your neighbours don’t need to find out.
Please contact us if you think you require treatment for bed bugs. We have over 10 years of pest control experience and cover all areas of London, Hertfordshire, Essex, and Kent.
We are 5 star reviewed on Google reviews.
