October 4th 2023.
Bedbugs have been causing a stir in France, and now the fear is that London may be next in line for a major outbreak. With over 50% of pest calls related to bedbugs in the last five years, it's important to know what to look out for and how to protect yourself. Furniture expert Jeannette Hudson has warned that due to their size and flat shape, these creatures can easily travel from one place to another, lurking in the cracks and crevices of sofas and couches as well as mattresses.
Itchy bedbug bites usually occur in lines on exposed skin such as the face, neck and arms. These bites are often the first sign of an infestation, along with small brown spots on bedding or furniture and blood spots on bedding.
Even if your home appears to be safe, you can pick up the bugs from public transport. Kenneth F. Haynes, a professor of entomology, told The Agency: ‘It is possible to pick up bed bugs from any place where there is an infestation. It may be more difficult for an infestation to get started in a bus or train, but it certainly has happened.’
To protect yourself from bedbugs, Jeannette Hudson suggests taking the time to thoroughly inspect any potential infestation sites, such as the bed, bedding, and furniture. If you're bringing second-hand furniture into your home, watch out for musty odours and eggs which are usually white in colour and can be smooth and pearly to the touch.
After staying in a hotel or Airbnb, make sure to wash your clothes and bedding in hot water to kill any potential bedbugs or eggs that may have hitched a ride. Regularly vacuuming, particularly around potential hiding spots, is also key, and it's important to dispose of the vacuum bag immediately afterwards.
Finally, Jeannette suggests sealing any cracks in the foundation and exterior walls to prevent bedbugs from entering the home. If you do suspect a bedbug infestation, it is essential to contact a pest control professional as soon as possible as these infestations can be notoriously difficult to eradicate.
In the meantime, you can try to keep the pests at bay by washing affected bedding and clothing on a hot wash and tumble dry for at least 30 minutes. You can also put affected clothing and bedding in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for 3 or 4 days - this may not be a foolproof solution, but it could help.
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