How can I prevent bringing bed bugs into my home?

The first signs of bed bugs often include small, itchy bites on the skin, especially after sleeping. You may also notice dark spots or shed skins on your bedding or mattress seams.

Bed bugs commonly enter homes by hitchhiking on luggage, clothing, or used furniture. They can also move between flats and terraced houses.

When travelling, inspect hotel rooms for signs of bed bugs, keep luggage off the floor and beds, and check your belongings before leaving. Consider using a protective cover for your suitcase.

Examine used furniture carefully for signs of bed bugs, including mattress seams, upholstery, and any crevices or corners. Use a torch to inspect for tiny, dark spots or live bugs.

Yes, bed bugs can be found in places with high foot traffic such as cinemas, public transport, and libraries. Always be cautious with personal items in these areas.

Yes, using protective bed bug-proof covers on your mattress and box spring can help prevent bed bugs from establishing a home in your bed.

Yes, placing bed bug interceptors under bed legs can help catch bed bugs trying to climb up, thereby preventing them from reaching your bed while also indicating an infestation.

Regular vacuuming, especially along baseboards, under beds, and around bed legs, can help remove any hidden bed bugs and prevent an infestation.

After visiting a potentially infested area, immediately wash your clothes in hot water and dry them on high heat. Vacuum luggage and inspect thoroughly before storing.

Bed bug sprays can be effective as a part of an integrated pest management approach. Always follow the label instructions and consider hiring a professional for severe infestations.

Although bed bugs prefer human hosts, they may occasionally bite pets. Your pets can carry bed bugs if they contact an infested area, so it's essential to inspect pet bedding regularly.

Bed bugs are not attracted to dirt and grime; they are attracted to warmth, carbon dioxide, and human blood. However, reducing clutter can help prevent them by limiting their hiding spots.

In the UK, landlords are typically responsible for dealing with bed bug infestations, assuming the issue was not caused by the tenant's negligence. Tenants should report any infestations to their landlord promptly.

You may have a bed bug infestation if you notice bites, blood stains on sheets, or clusters of dark brown spots (bed bug faeces) in sleeping areas.

Contact a professional pest control service if you see signs of a bed bug infestation that you cannot control on your own, such as persistent bites, visible bugs, or widespread contamination.