Bed bugs and cockroaches

Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects that hide in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards and furniture and come out at night to feed. They are not linked to dirty homes. They travel in luggage, clothing and second-hand furniture, so anywhere people come and go, from family homes to hotels and HMOs, can be affected.

Bed bugs are not known to spread disease, but bites can be very itchy and an infestation is distressing to live with.

Signs of bed bugs

• Itchy bites, often in a line or cluster, on skin exposed during sleep
• Small blood spots on sheets and pillowcases
• Dark spots of droppings on mattress seams and bed frames
• Pale shed skins and tiny white eggs, about 1mm long

How we treat bed bugs

Bed bugs are hard to clear without professional help, and shop-bought sprays often just spread them around. After a thorough inspection we treat the affected rooms and furniture, and return about two weeks later to treat any bugs that have hatched since. We will give you a preparation sheet before the first visit so the treatment works first time.

Cockroaches are hardy, mainly nocturnal insects that run from light. Two species cause most problems in the UK. The large, dark Oriental cockroach prefers cool, damp places such as drains, cellars and ducts. The smaller, light brown German cockroach likes warmth and is most often found in commercial kitchens, behind cookers and fridges, and in heated buildings.

Cockroaches contaminate food and surfaces and can carry bacteria that cause food poisoning. In a food business they are a serious hygiene risk and must be dealt with straight away.

How we treat cockroaches

We use monitoring traps to find where they are living, then treat with professional gel baits and insecticides placed where cockroaches feed and hide. Follow-up visits are needed to clear eggs that hatch after the first treatment. For food businesses, we can put this on a routine contract with written reports.