Bed bugs

All the information you need to know about those pesky bed bugs, and how to deal with them

No one likes the idea of sharing their bed with insects, but the truth is, bed bugs have been around for millennia, and with infestations becoming more common, isn’t it about time we knew more?

What are bed bugs?

• Bed bugs are small, flat insects who live on the blood of people or animals. They are a reddish, brown colour and can range from 1 to 7mm in size.
• They are found living in or around the areas where people sleep. But it isn’t just your bedding that they find comfy – bed bugs will also make themselves at home in your mattress, headboard, carpets and even cracks in the wall or wallpaper!
• Despite their size they can also travel quite far, moving up to 100ft in a night.

How can I get rid of bed bugs?

• Make sure you bag and wash any items of linen. Bed bugs don’t like heat so a hot wash, or blast with a steamer, is a must.
• Clean all the surfaces around the bed such as walls, inside draws and wardrobes, as well as any under bed storage you may have.
• Get vacuuming! A thorough vacuum can remove bed bugs and their eggs from carpets, walls and curtains, even mattresses. Just ensure you discard of the contents of your vacuum carefully.
• Finally, fix any wallpaper scuffs or cracks in the plaster and consider discarding old items of furniture, especially anything second hand, and investing in new.