Pest Control

Advice on preventing and dealing with household pests, infestations and common pest problems.

Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite: What You Need to Know

13th October 2023

With the panic about the bed bug infestations plaguing Paris and other French cities at the moment and talk of London showing signs of the same, it is a good idea to educate yourself on all things bed bug: what they are, how they travel, what they do, how you can prevent them, and what to do if you discover them in your home.

What are bedbugs?

Bedbugs are red, brown or yellow insects that can be up to half a centimetre long. They are wingless and have six legs and can be found in soft furnishings: clothes, upholstery, beds, headboards, and behind loose wallpaper.

How do bedbugs travel?

Bedbugs can hop onto anything: clothes, luggage, even furniture. You are more likely to be in touch with bedbugs and bring them home if you stay in hotels or hostels regularly. Bedbugs can also travel in clothing, so if you have a visitor to your home that has bedbugs on their clothes or luggage, or if you come into contact with them at someone else’s home or on public transport, they could hitch a lift home on your clothes.

What do bedbugs do?

Although they aren’t thought to spread disease, bedbugs are blood-sucking insects. This means that they bite and can leave red marks on the skin. In some cases, bedbugs can cause an allergic reaction; this is when you will notice them as they will itch. If you are not allergic to bedbugs, they won’t itch, which makes them more likely to go unnoticed until you have an infestation.

If you notice that you have a cluster of spots, with a darker spot in the middle, or you experience a severe reaction such as itching, blisters or hives, you may have bed bugs; speak to a pharmacist or doctor about your skin irritation, and you may need to consult a pest control specialist to deal with your infestation.

How can you prevent bedbugs?

Bedbugs thrive in cluttered environments, so minimising clutter in your house, especially around your bed, can help. You can help to prevent them by hot washing clothes that may have been in contact with bedbugs and tumble drying them for half an hour or more as soon as you come home. If you don’t have a tumble dryer, or you wore your favourite wool jumper on an infested bus, you can pop the clothes into a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for a few days (yes, really!). Bedbugs don’t thrive in particularly clean or dirty environments; although they are unpleasant to have, they are not necessarily a sign of an unclean home. However, vacuuming regularly and washing your bedding weekly can make it easier to get rid of bedbugs, and easier to spot them before it gets serious. Are you worried about bedbugs or any other unwanted guests in your home? If you think you have an infestation, contact your local authority, or skip the queues and get in touch with a local pest control specialist. For more advice, follow us on Facebook or X.

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Find clear, practical answers to common pest control questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

How do I know if I have a rat or mouse infestation in my home?

Look for droppings (dark, pellet-shaped, usually along walls or in cupboards), gnaw marks on packaging, wiring, or woodwork, scratching sounds (especially at night) and shredded material used for nests in hidden spots. Dark smear marks along skirting boards are a strong sign of rats, specifically. If you notice any of these, act quickly - rodent populations grow fast and they cause more damage the longer they're left.
Can I get rid of a wasp nest myself or do I need a professional?

For a small, accessible nest in a quiet spot away from foot traffic, a confident DIYer might manage it - but it's worth knowing that wasps can become aggressive when disturbed, and things can escalate quickly if it doesn't go to plan. For anything inside walls, a loft, or an enclosed space, it's really best left to a professional. And if anyone in the household has an allergy to wasp stings, it's definitely a job for an expert rather than something to tackle yourself.
What should I do if I find bed bugs in my home?

Move quickly. Wash and heat-dry all bedding, clothing, and soft furnishings, and bag up what you can't treat immediately. Don't move things between rooms - that's how infestations spread. Over-the-counter treatments rarely deal with a proper infestation. Professional treatment, whether heat or chemical, is far more thorough and reliably gets into the places bed bugs actually hide.
How do pest controllers treat a property and how long does it take?

It depends on the pest. Crawling insects typically get insecticide sprays or gels, rodents are handled with baiting systems, and bed bugs often need heat treatment. Most single-pest treatments take a few hours, but many - rodents especially - need follow-up visits at two to three week intervals to make sure the job's properly done. Your pest controller will discuss the plan upfront and tell you what preparation is needed before they arrive.
How long does it typically take to get rid of a pest infestation?

Timelines vary depending on the pest. Wasp nests are usually dealt with in a single visit, while ants and cockroaches typically need two to three visits over a couple of weeks. Rodents generally require a longer programme - usually four to six weeks with regular bait checks. Bed bugs can take the most time, often needing multiple treatments over several weeks depending on how established the infestation is.
A good pest controller should give you a realistic sense of the timeline upfront, along with a clear picture of what follow-up visits are required.
Can I treat an ant infestation myself or do I need a professional?

For a small trail of ants making their way to a food source, DIY can work well. The key is finding and sealing the entry point, removing whatever's attracting them, and using a gel bait that worker ants carry back to the nest - spraying the ants themselves tends to disperse them without actually tackling the colony. For a larger or more established infestation, especially if ants are appearing throughout the property or inside walls, professional treatment is likely to be more reliably effective. Pharaoh ants are worth a particular mention - if handled incorrectly, the colony can fragment and spread, making the problem harder to resolve.
Are pest control treatments safe for children and pets?

In most cases, yes - once the treated area has dried or cured, which is typically a few hours for sprays. Your pest controller should give you clear instructions on how long to stay out of the treated area. If you have very young children or pets that are particularly sensitive (cats can react badly to some insecticides), mention it before treatment so the right products can be chosen. Gel baits are generally the lower-risk option as they're placed in contained spots rather than sprayed.

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