As is common at this time of year, bed bugs infestations are unfortunately an issue in the winter months, and in a city such as Greater London, an all too frequent occurrence. Unsurprisingly, bed bugs infestations are more common than you may realise and due to their penchant for human blood, London provides a ready supply of food for the little blighters.

Luckily there are solutions to bed bugs infestations and with the correct pest control measures, can be eliminated efficiently. Many people are unaware of just how crafty and persistent bed bugs can be. Fortunately we have the knowledge to help you understand these little critters a little better and the tools to eliminate them quickly.

Travelling Bed Bugs

If there is one thing that is consistently impressive about bed bugs, it is their ability to travel and be found just about anywhere. Many people assume that bed bugs are just to be found in beds but the truth is they can be found in a variety of places. In simple terms, bed bugs are very adept at travelling around in various places to find a source of food.

It isn’t just family homes that they can be found. Bed bugs can be found on buses, trains, office and school furniture, cinemas and theatres, hospitals and even construction sites! With this ability to be found anywhere, bed bugs infestations can spread relatively quickly if left unchecked.

Hardy Bed Bugs

Despite their small size, bed bugs are notoriously robust and persistent in their constant search for food and you would be surprised at just how clever they can be too.

In a number of research projects over the years, it has been reported that bed bugs can manoeuvre themselves into a wide variety of places that you wouldn’t necessarily regard as a home for them. Bed bugs are notoriously elusive and this is due to their instinctive desire to remain hidden. As a result, they have been discovered hiding in mattress crevices, box springs, baseboards, wallpaper and even behind picture frames!

Along with these almost ninja-like hiding abilities, bed bugs can survive for months without feeding and can survive in temperatures as high as 122 degrees Celsius and as low as 0 degrees Celsius. With such robust characteristics, DIY pest control is often ineffective against bed bugs and more professional and comprehensive controls must be adopted to fully eradicate any bed bugs infestations.

Hungry Bed Bugs

Even though bed bugs can survive for months without feeding, they are also habitual in their feeding patterns and with this knowledge, you’ll be able to spot bed bugs behaviour and take the necessary steps to fight any infestation.

Overall, compared with other bugs which feed on humans, bed bugs do not spend a long time at the dinner table. It takes them approximately 5 to 10 minutes to engorge themselves with blood before moving on to the next meal. Typically, bed bug bites can be found in clusters or rows, and they tend to follow a feeding pattern which is oddly similar to that of a human (breakfast, lunch and dinnertime). Consequently, it is relatively easy to identify bed bug behaviour and diagnose them as the cause of the problem.

Perhaps the most alarming feature of bed bugs is their ability to use a naturally-occurring anaesthetic to prevent a host from feeling their bites. It is only when bites become visible that a person would realise that there may be a bed bugs infestation.

Next Steps

Decades ago, many people aired their bed sheeting to help fight against bed bugs, this helped to fight infestations which occurred more frequently. However, due to population increase and bed bugs adapting to insecticides, bed bugs infestations have continued to rise since 2006. This is also partly due to people becoming complacent or lacking knowledge of how to prevent bed bugs from taking a foothold in their homes and public spaces.

One of the most practical and beneficial steps you can take is employing a professional pest control company such as Pest Exterminators to help eradicate your bed bugs infestations. As has been mentioned, bed bugs can be a difficult creature to eliminate and it is imperative that you follow the right steps to fully manage and dispose of bed bugs in a methodical and lasting way.

If you suspect that you may have a bed bugs infestation in either your residential or commercial property, then do not hesitate to get in touch with us.