Bed bugs do not have any preference for a clean or dirty environment. They are very happy as long as they can access the food. So, it is a common misconception that bed bugs spread due to unhygienic conditions. We have brought this blog post for our readers to inform them about how bed bugs spread and how they can control their population using pest control in London.
Where do bed bugs live: Insights for effective pest control in London
Bed bugs can live anywhere in your home. They can live in cracks of furniture, in upholstery, anywhere. Despite this, bed bug infestations are most common in beds because food is readily available here. Bed bugs are mostly active at night. They usually bite at night when a person is sleeping on the bed. Common locations of their bites include the face, neck, hands, and arms.
How do bed bugs appear?
As you all know, bed bugs are crawling insects, but they commonly spread from one place to another through humans. You can pick them up when you visit a hotel or a home with a bed bug infestation. They usually hide in clothing, luggage, furniture, and other items. That is how, unknowingly, you introduce them into your house.
Once bed bugs are introduced, they can crawl from one room to another or floor to floor via cracks and openings in walls or ceilings. That is how these pesky creatures spread from one place to another.
Bed Bug Mobility and Pest Control in London
Adult bed bugs can survive for a year without food. This means they can hide anywhere, be it furniture, clothing, footwear, luggage, or any material you have brought. They can then wait until they have traveled great distances, only to be unpacked and brought to a new home where they can find fresh food.
Then, it is only a matter of time before they travel from one room to another. This is how infestation can grow in weeks or months. Every day, a bed bug lays about one to twelve eggs. It can lay a total of 200 to 300 eggs in a lifetime.
Bed bugs are great hitchhikers. Therefore, if you are someone who loves to travel in hotels, hostels, airplanes, or ships, it is very probable that you carry these uninvited guests with you.
Since these infestations spread quickly, we recommend that as soon as you see a sign of infestation, call a professional pest control company without wasting any time.
What are the signs of bed bug infestation?
- One of the most common signs is bites. You wake up with itchy, red bites on your skin. Bed bugs bite in a linear or clustered pattern.
- If you notice reddish-brown spots on your bedsheets or pillowcases, then it is probable that your bed is now home to these critters.
- When bed bugs grow, they shed their skin. Finding their skin droppings here and there is a common sign of infestation.
- If you smell a sweet, musty odour in your home, it is time to take pest control services in London.
How to know that you have bed bugs?
Fecal stains or rust-coloured spits, egg cases, and skin sheds are common signs of a bed bug infestation. Observing one of these signs is a signal that there is a bed bug infestation in that particular place. If in doubt, a professional company offering emergency pest control in London can help you identify and remove bed bugs from your home.
How to stop bed bugs from spreading: Tips from professionals
Stopping the spread of bed bugs means preventing their transmission from one place to another. If you are trying to stop their spread, these strategies by expert companies offering pest control in London can help you a lot. Continue reading to learn more about these tips and tricks:
- If you see any infested item in your home, place it in a tight and sealed plastic bag. Take the item out of your home immediately. Get these items treated by a professional pest control company. They will use health or cold treatment to clear the infestation from these items.
- Since you know the common hiding spots of bed bugs, please vacuum them regularly. These spots include cracks and crevices in walls, baseboards of electrical outlets, light switches, and furniture. Discard the vacuum bag in a properly sealed plastic bag.
- Seal any gaps or holes in the walls. This includes gaps around plumbing or cracks between the floor and the walls. You can also install tight-fitting door sweeps under each door. This will help to prevent their spread from one room to another.
- Make sure to seal all the mattresses with plastic covers. You can also use a light-coloured plastic cover since it will make it easy to spot bed bugs or eggs on your bed.
Prevention is the key.
The best way to deal with bed bug infestation is to prevent it from happening in the first place. When you travel, please inspect your hotel room and keep the luggage off the floor. You need to be very cautious about buying second-hand furniture. Make sure to get your house regularly inspected by a reliable company offering pest control in London.
Do you have bed bugs?
If you are dealing with a bed bug infestation, you must handle the problem immediately. If you are looking for a professional exterminator offering pest control in London, try Pest Control 24 London. We can provide discreet and effective bed bug control in London and surrounding areas. Contact us today to book a free onsite inspection so we can start the treatment immediately. If you live in Fulham, we also offer pest control in Fulham. Book us now to learn more about our treatments and services!