Bed bugs and preparation - PEST UK

Providing pest control services in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, London, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Surrey, West Midlands, West Sussex, Wiltshire. Est. 1985.

Bed bugs and preparation

In Pests

Bed bugs

Bed bugs are a common pest, once assosicated with unhygenic conditions, they are now more common due to peoples increased travel, the purchase of second hand furniture and possible tolerance to some pesticides.

They bite at night and feed on human blood, depending on the person bites can show up and be very itchy or not be noticeable at all. These varied reactions can lead to restless sleep and increased stress. Long periods of carbon dioxide will encourage them to emerge from their nest areas.

bed bug

Apperance and Life cycle

Bed bugs are very small and resemble small flat discs, and are tan or light brown in colour. When they feed on blood they will become darker in colour and will increase in size.

Bed bugs have 5 different nymph stages of development, and a final adult sexually mature stage. They require at least 1 blood feeding for each stage of development. Each immature stage lasts about a week and full development can happen within two months.

 

Preparation before a treatment

Before PESTUK conduct a treatment we recommend that the following is done to aid in the success of the residual insecticide treatment-

We advise that clothes, bed sheets and curtains are removed from the bedrooms needing treatment and either washed or tumble dried. The drawers and wardrobes should be emptied and clothes must only be reintroduced to the rooms once they have been washed or tumble dried. Floors and carpets should be vacuumed and shelves dusted.

If the room is full of clutter the treatment will fail. The rooms being treated must be clear of toys, books, boxes, CDs, posters etc. Care must be taken not to put any of these objects into other rooms slept in as you may spread the infestation. Objects in the room that cannot be either washed, tumble dried or sprayed with the insecticide (books, shoes, cd’s, dvd’s etc) must be put in a freezer overnight. This should be done before putting objects back into a treated room.

Bed bugs generally only infest rooms that are slept in, we recommend treating any adjoining bed rooms to the infested room. Bed bugs can lay dormant for up to 12 months so care must be taken with any objects removed & then re introduced back into bedrooms within this time frame. If you are going to replace a bed or mattress we recommend doing this prior to treatment or once you are sure the treatment has worked fully and all bed bugs have been eradicated from the property

Treatment

PESTUK use a residual insecticide spray that is sprayed onto walls, ceilings, bed frame, mattress, furniture and surrounding areas in the bedrooms with one (or both) of the following insecticide sprays: Effect Microtech CS’ which contains Permethrin, HSE Number 6287 and made by Sorex or K-Othrine WG250, HSE Number 5390 which contains deltamethrin 25%. These insecticides are the most modern insecticides available.

We may use powders in voids or large electrical items: either Ficam D which contains the insecticide at 1% w/w Bendiocarb or Killgerid which works by scratching the cuticle (the shell) of the insect which causes the insect to die of dehydration. This powder is completely harmless to mammals. All insecticides are biodegradable, almost odourless, non tainting & do not corrode or stain. The areas where the Bedbugs will be expected to crawl as well as their nesting areas will be treated.

After treatment

After the spray treatment is completed do not let pets or children walk bare foot on the sprayed areas until dry as it can be a mild irritent while wet.

Carpeted areas that are treated should not be vacuumed for a minimum of 2 weeks after the spray has dried. Walls, bed frames and other treated surfaces  should not be wiped or washed for at least 2 months, as the spray can remain active for this time, and wiping down the surfaces can break down the insecticide. Doing so can render a treatment ineffective.

All bedding must be laundered, and the treated bedrooms must be slept in as long periods of body heat and carbon dioxide will encourage the bed bugs to move through the sprayed areas. Bedrooms should be kept dry and warm to reduce humidity and remove moisture from the treated areas either using central heating and or a dehumidifier. Expect to see bed bugs for a minimum of 2 weeks after the treatment.

New furniture should not be introduced into the treated rooms until you are sure the infestation has been dealt with or it has been sprayed as well.

Guarantee

In some cases one spray should be sufficient to deal with the problem but often premises will need treating at least twice. We guarantee bedbugs only after a 2nd spray (we do charge for each spray) providing the full and correct preparation has been carried out prior to each treatment.

Wait until at least 3 weeks has passed before booking another spray as it may take this long to work. Also please remember the treatment will fail unless there is continuous occupation of the bedrooms that have been treated.

The guarantee is for one month after the 2nd spray and is only valid if the 2nd spray has been carried out within one month of the 1st. Insecticide treatments will only work on clean surfaces.

Berkshire Pest Control Ltd t/a PEST UK Terms & Conditions apply.

Call 0800 026 0308 or 0330 100 2811 to book an appointment or speak to us for more details.

For more information on Bed bugs polease visit the BPCA website. The BPCA are the leading trade assosciation for pest control companies in the UK. They are a not for profit organisation, which acts on behalf of the Pest management industry. BPCA members provide professional and consistent service.

 

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