Why Control Bed Bugs

Bed Bug Bites: Bed bugs are blood sucking parasites that feed on our blood. The easiest way for them to bite us is when we are sleeping in our beds, due to the fact we are relatively still and our skin is exposed. They locate our presence by sensing C0₂ emitted in our breath and warmth radiated from our bodies. The bed bugs will only spend a few minutes feeding and will often bite several times resulting in lines or clusters of bites. It is thought that these lines are the result of bed bugs preferring to remain in contact with the bedding as they locate a suitable feeding site. They inject an anaesthetic in their saliva that numbs the pain of the bite, which means we are unlikely to stir from our sleep. They also inject an anticoagulant that allows the blood to keep flowing as the bed bugs feed.

It is the reaction to bed bug saliva that causes some people to react quickly to the bites, whereas other people have no reaction at all to being bitten. The bites usually start off as red welts about 5mm across which can then become raised and may develop into blisters. It is the itchiness of the bites that can cause an issue, where bacteria are introduced to the bite when scratching.

Bed Bugs Cause Loss of Reputation: A bed bug infestation can have serious financial implications on the hospitality and transport sectors. Hotels, B&B’s, hostels, holiday cottages, rental properties, new homes, planes, ships, trains, buses etc. have all been known to be afflicted with bed bugs. Complaints to businesses that have issues with bed bugs have increased dramatically over the last few years and the potential of customers transferring the infestation back home with them is significant. Negative reviews and feeds on social media can have serious financial implications on a business, where bed bugs can literally ‘suck the blood’ out of the business.

As businesses become more aware of the threat these insects pose to their reputations, the more responsible owners are starting to take a proactive approach to bed bug management, where procedures are put in place that enable infestations to be rapidly detected and treated. We are getting many requests at Kestrel Pest Management from businesses that want to put in place a bed bug management plan, that helps identify a bed bug infestation in the early stages and implement an effective treatment strategy.

How Bed Bugs Get in to a House or Business

Bed bugs can be introduced into homes and businesses through various means:

• Bed bugs can be imported into our homes and businesses on the luggage that we take when travelling. This luggage is then usually unpacked on the bed and frequently the cases are stored under the bed or on top of the wardrobe. The “hitchhiking” bed bugs can then emerge in order to feed on our blood as we sleep. Hotels, B&B’s and holiday rentals are all at risk of having bed bugs and the unwary traveller can unwittingly transport bed bugs back home with them after their stay. Sometimes it is while we are travelling where our luggage can become infested, as bed bug infestations have been found on planes, ships, trains, coaches and virtually every other type of transport. This transport of bed bug infestations is not a one-way street and it is sometimes travellers that transports bed bugs from their own homes.
• Second hand items are also responsible for the spread of bed bug infestations. Items such as beds, mattresses, furniture, carpets and soft furnishings can easily hide bed bugs.
• Bed bugs can enter a dormant phase when there are no people in the property to feed on, in fact bed bugs can exist for up to one year without a blood meal. It is common for properties that have been vacant for some time to “come alive” with bed bugs when new occupiers move in.

Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

There are a number of signs that can indicate that there is a bed bug infestation:

Bed Bug Bites: The appearance of bites after sleeping can indicate that bed bugs are present. Bites are reddened welts about 5mm across that often become raised and can develop into blisters. This should not be relied upon as definitive proof that bed bugs are the culprit as there a several insects and other medical conditions that can be confused with bed bug bites.

Sightings of Bed Bugs: Bed bugs will hide in cracks and crevices when they are not feeding, and this can mean they are very difficult to detect in the early stages of an infestation. They will hide in the buttons and beading of mattresses, in the bed frame, under wallpaper, in bedside furniture, under carpets, under skirting boards, in electrical sockets, in fact anywhere that offers a suitable hiding place. The most obvious stage of the life cycle is the adult stage. Adult bed bugs are 6mm long, have a flattened oval shape and light brown when unfed. When gorged on blood they appear mahogany coloured as the abdomen is swollen with blood. Young bed bugs called nymphs are the immature forms of the bed bugs and these range in size from 1mm to 5mm. The nymphs are generally lighter coloured than the adults. The smallest stages of the life cycle are the 1mm long eggs, which are white coloured with a slight bend and deposited in dark areas so can be difficult to find. (See Bed Bug Life Cycle Below).

Shed Bed Bug Skins: As the bed bug nymphs develop, they must shed their skins in order to accommodate their change in size. These cast skins are light coloured and often found in bed bug harbourage sites.

Blood Stains: When bed bugs return to their harbourage site after feeding, they will often excrete blood. This dried blood appears as dark brown/black stains. Sometimes bed bugs that have recently fed will be rolled on or squashed as they move through the bedding and this can result in significant blood smears on sheets/pillow cases.

Bed Bug Faeces: Bed bugs also defecate small pellets that are rich in blood. These can also be found in their harbourage sites. When these faecal pellets are placed on a wet tissue, they will turn blood red.

Bed Bug Odour: A long standing bed bug infestation has a distinctive musty smell that some describe as smelling like coriander.

Bed Bug Control Treatment

Bed Bug Survey: Before we arrange a bed bug treatment, we always undertake a bed bug survey of the property. This involves a detailed investigation of the property to determine the intensity and extent of the infestation, which then allows us to formulate an effective treatment plan.

Bed Bug Pre-treatment preparation: The are some pre-treatment tasks that need to be carried out before we undertake the treatment:

• Any items that are to be disposed of should be bagged before removing from the effected room. This will prevent spreading the infestation to other areas.
• Vacuuming will remove bed bugs and debris and ensure that the application of insecticide will be more effective. The following areas should be thoroughly vacuumed: wall/floor junctions, carpet edges, bed frames, mattresses and furniture.
• Empty the contents of the vacuum into a bag and dispose of in the external rubbish bin.
• Washing and tumble drying of suspect clothes and bedding: Washing at 60⁰C for 30 mins will kill all stages of the life cycle. Tumble drying on a hot setting 45⁰C for 30 mins will kill all stages of the life cycle. Ensure that any clothes and bedding are bagged before transferring to the washer.
• Sensitive items can be bagged and placed in the freezer at -20⁰C for a minimum of 10 hours and will kill all stages of the life cycle. Bulkier items may require several days.
• Empty all wardrobes, drawers, cupboards, divans of rooms that are to be treated.
• Remove all fish tanks and remove any plants from the areas to be treated.

Bed Bug Treatment: People and pets must leave the home/business whilst it’s being treated and stay out until all areas are completely dry. This is because the insecticides used to kill the bed bugs can be harmful before it’s dry. The treatment process involves the application of a specialist residual insecticide to all infested areas. This will kill any bed bugs that are directly contacted but more importantly, leave a fine residue of insecticide that will kill bed bugs when they emerge from their harbourage sites.

Bed Bug Post-Treatment Recommendations: For the treatment to be successful, there should be no cleaning or vacuuming of the treated areas for 2 to 3 weeks. This will allow the insecticide to remain in place and kill any emerging bed bugs. After 2 to 3 weeks a follow-up visit will be carried out to ensure the treatment has been successful.

Bed Bug General Information

Appearance: Adult bed bugs are 6mm long, have a flattened oval shape and light brown when unfed. When gorged on blood they appear mahogany coloured as the abdomen is swollen with blood. This unfed flattened appearance allows them to hide away in the smallest of gaps during the day.

Life Cycle: Bed bugs undergo incomplete metamorphosis, so they hatch from the eggs as small bed bugs (nymphs) and gradually increase in size until they reach adult size:

Egg Nymph Adult

The eggs are laid by the female bed bug in clusters of 4 to 5, which are deposited in cracks and crevices by means of a glue. The bed bug eggs are around 1mm long, white coloured, with a slight bend. Throughout her lifetime a female bed bug can lay 500 eggs. The eggs hatch in around 14 days, when the emerging nymphs seek out their first blood meal.

The emerging nymphs are 1.5mm long and are much lighter in colour than the adults. They immediately begin to feed on blood from their host. They go through a series of 5 moults before they reach adulthood and before each moult, they require a blood meal. Dependent on the temperature and availability of a host, they can complete their life cycle in as little as several weeks. In the absence of a host, bed bugs can enter a dormant phase that can last for up to one year. This explains why newly occupied properties suddenly come alive with bed bugs.