With a global increase in bed bug incidents in the region of 500% year on year the UK is currently experiencing a massive influx of bed bugs and early detection is the key to rapid eradication.
Bed bugs are a potential risk for any business. However, industries such as hospitality (hotels, guest houses, B&B’s) transportation (airlines, railways, coaches) and public institutions (healthcare, universities, prisons) are at a higher risk of infestation.
Millions of spectators, many of them from overseas, attended the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games. Hotels within the hosting cities will have been more vulnerable to bed bugs as a high turnover of guests increases the risk of infestations occurring.
Bed bugs are tiny blood-sucking insects that don’t transmit disease but their bites can leave their victims itchy and cause skin reactions. They take up residence wherever people sleep.
Bed bugs are attracted by exhaled carbon dioxide and body heat, not by dirt and they feed on blood not waste. In short, the cleanliness of their environments has little effect on the control of bed bugs as they feed on their hosts and not on waste. Good housekeeping in association with proper preparation and mechanical removal will certainly assist in control.
Adult bed bugs are reddish brown, flattened, oval and wingless with microscopic hairs that give them a banded appearance. A common misconception is that they are not visible to the naked eye. They grow 4 to 5mm in length and do not move quickly enough to escape the notice of an attentive observer.
Newly hatched nymphs are translucent, lighter in colour and continue to become browner and molt as they reach maturity. When it comes to size they are often compared to lentils.
Bed bug bites may be found in a variety of places on the body. Patterns of bites in a row or a cluster are typical as they may be disturbed while feeding.
It is common for people to try and deal with bed bug infestations prior to contacting a professional but this can be a major fault when dealing with an infestation. It is commonly thought that bed bugs will just get into the bed base or mattress but they will actually get into all areas including behind skirting boards, electrical & light sockets and the only way to deal with them is to get professional help.
Rainbow International offers an effective bed bugs treatment. Our solutions for eradicating bed bug infestation are quick and safe and approved to the stringent quality control standards of the British Pest Control Association.
Call our 24 hour helpline on 01623 422488 or use the branchfinder below to find the branch nearest you.
