Bed bugs – creatures everyone dreads yet believes will never infest their home until they do. Unfortunately, it can be easy for bed bugs to reach your home; however, there are many ways to protect yourself. Our blog outlines the impact of bed bugs and how to identify and combat a bed bug infestation.
Bed bugs are small insects that often live on furniture or bedding. These insects have been around for what seems like forever since originating in the Middle East approximately 3,550 years ago. However, they’ve sparked conversations in recent weeks after an infestation in France left the government battling to contain a bout of nationwide panic after several schools were closed across the country due to the infestation.
Bed Bugs UK
The proximity between London and Paris- a two hour, 16 minute train ride and with bed bugs renowned as ‘incredible hitchhikers’ the prospect of bed bugs reaching London is ‘a real cause of concern’.
The prospect of London Underground bed bugs is a concern
Bed bugs favour ‘small, dark hiding places’; therefore, aside from the mattress and bed frame, bed bugs will often reside in carpets and other furniture.
Mattress protectors will not help prevent a bed bug infestation. However, bed bug mattress encasements can alleviate the problem if you’ve already got them or are looking to avoid an infestation.
Mattress encasements are specially designed so bed bugs can’t escape; however, it doesn’t stop them from living in your bed frame or divan, so you would need to take further measures to eliminate them. They’re large covers that completely enclose a mattress, which traps existing bed bugs inside and preventing new ones from entering. Mattress encasements aren’t airtight, and bed bugs can survive without oxygen for five days; however, they cannot bite you once trapped inside and will eventually starve to death.
No mattress can avoid a bed bug infestation, as these creatures want to remain near where they can feed. However, memory foam and latex are very high-density mattresses and do well at keeping these bugs out of the centre of your mattress.
You’ll probably first realise that you have bed bugs when you wake up with bites. Bed bug bites appear as red, swollen spots and can cause itchiness. You may also be able to spot blood marks from where you’ve squished a bed bug whilst sleeping or their droppings, which appear as small brown spots on your bed.
There is often confusion about the differences between dust mites and bed bugs. Solutions Pest & Lawn outlines the differences and explains how ‘Bed bugs are blood-sucking pests that bite people and animals whereas dust mites feed on dead skins left by people, ticks, and spiders.’ Moreover, bed bugs can be seen with the naked eye, whereas dust mites cannot.
Preserve your mattress and invest in a bed bug protector for peace of mind. Our innovative Bed Bug Allerzip Smooth Protector keeps bed bugs at bay courtesy of the protector’s bed bug-locking zip. What’s more, the protector has been laboratory tested to be bed bug entry, escape and bite proof.
Not only can you rely on the Allerzip Smooth Protector to to combat any bed bugs but you can also benefit from the protector’s waterproof qualities and therefore protect your mattress from any spillages.
It’s not an easy process; a good first step would be to contact a pest control service or even your local council, as getting rid of them on your own will be very difficult. Specialised services can help fumigate affected rooms and furnishings. Alternatively, investing in a bed bug spray could be worthwhile to eliminate the threat of any existing bed bugs.
Bed bug treatment – special bed bug spray
We recommend placing any impacted mattresses in mattress encasements to trap bed bugs so they eventually die. Any clothing or bedding that’s affected must also be put in a hot wash of 60°C to kill them or in the freezer for four days.
You would be wrong to think that bed bugs only live in dirty places; bed bugs can also be found in clean areas. With this in mind, it’s essential to regularly clean and hoover your home.
And there you have our tips on protecting yourself from bed bugs and preventing them from reaching your home. As long as you are wary and keep a relatively clean home, you can identify bed bugs and deal with them efficiently.