Pest Control
Pest Control Service - BedbugsPest Control Service - Bedbugs
||Advice To Householders About Bedbugs
The adult bedbug is an oval insect, 5mm long by about 3mm broad. If the bedbug has not recently fed it
is very flattened and red-brown in colour. Once it has fed, it changes to a dark mahogany colour and becomes more rounded.
Distribution & Habitat
Bedbugs do not fly, so they must crawl or be transported in clothing, luggage, books, furniture, in fact anything that provides them with harbourage.
Bedbugs feed on blood and they can survive for a long period of time without feeding. Bedbugs are usually associated with poor, overcrowded and unhygienic conditions. Most infestations are found in the bedroom. Their hiding places will be close to where their host sleeps: in the bed frame, mattress, bedside furniture, skirting boards or wallpaper, in fact anywhere that affords a dark hiding place during daylight hours, for these are nocturnal creatures.
Significance
The bedbug's habit of biting a person and feeding on their blood can cause severe irritation to some people. The very thought of being preyed upon by such a creature is often sufficient to encourage immediate action to control them.
There are a number of factors that are helping to maintain the numbers of bedbugs. One of these is the increased use of central heating and resultant warm conditions which stimulates continuous activity and feeding over the winter months. Another factor is the movement of second hand furniture which may transfer bedbugs from one property to another.
Life Cycle
The female bedbug lays pearly white eggs approximately 1mm long, which are glued into cracks and crevices in bed frames, furniture, wallpaper, anywhere that provides dark harbourage during daylight.
They will lay about 150 eggs, which will reach adulthood in approximately nine weeks under reasonable conditions, but will be considerably longer if the temperature is low. The adults live for up to eighteen months usually feeding weekly, but can survive for over one year without blood.
Control Methods
You will need professional help in dealing with an infestation of bedbugs. An insecticide is applied to the affected rooms. In the worst cases wallpaper has to be removed as eggs may be laid behind joints. Bedding and other clothing does not have to be thrown out.
Prevention
Regular cleaning of bedding and cleaning of rooms should prevent the build up of an infestation. Regular cleaning and inspection of the bed will highlight the distinctive blood spotting at an early stage. Rooms should be cleaned regularly and kept tidy. Second hand furniture should be checked carefully.
Treatment
Ashfield District Council provides a free of charge service for the treatment of bedbugs at domestic premises.
If you think that you may have a problem, please contact us immediately.
You will be advised fully of any costs involved prior to treatment being undertaken.
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