Bed bugs: How to Identify and get rid of them

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed (4–5mm). They’re parasites that feed exclusively on human blood, typically at night when you’re asleep. Unlike mosquitoes or fleas, they don’t jump or fly — they crawl slowly but deliberately.

A single female can lay 200–500 eggs in her lifetime, which is why infestations escalate so quickly. Eggs hatch in 6–10 days, and nymphs (young bugs) reach adulthood in 5–8 weeks under ideal conditions.

The key difference from other pests: Bed bugs don’t indicate poor hygiene. They can infest clean homes just as easily as cluttered ones — they hitchhike in luggage, second-hand furniture, and clothing.

How to Identify Bed Bugs

Signs of Infestation

• Bites on your skin: Small, itchy red welts, often in lines or clusters on arms, legs, or torso.
• Blood spots on sheets: Rusty or dark spots from crushed bugs or their droppings.
• Musty odour: A sweet, unpleasant smell in heavily infested areas.
• Live bugs or shells: Brown, flat insects hiding in mattress seams, headboards, or furniture cracks.
• Faecal spots: Tiny black dots in mattress folds and furniture joints.

Where to Look

• Mattresses and box springs: Seams, piping, and underneath.
• Headboards and bed frames: Cracks and joints.
• Furniture: Sofas, armchairs, and cushions (especially seams and underneath).
• Skirting boards and wall cracks: Entry points and hiding spots.
• Wardrobes and drawers: Particularly around folded clothes.
• Picture frames and electrical outlets: Less obvious hiding spots.

Why Infestations Happen

Common Entry Points

• Second-hand furniture: Sofas, mattresses, and beds are high-risk items.
• Travel and hotels: Bed bugs hide in luggage and clothing.
• Visitors: Bugs can travel in bags or on clothing.
• Shared walls: In flats and terraced houses, bugs can migrate between properties.
• Rental properties: High turnover increases infestation risk.

Why They Spread So Fast

• Females lay eggs continuously once they’ve fed.
• Nymphs reach adulthood in 5–8 weeks.
• They hide in multiple locations, making complete removal difficult without professional help.
• DIY treatments often miss hidden populations, allowing re-infestation.

Prevention: How to Reduce Risk

What NOT to Do

• Don’t ignore early signs. One or two bites could mean dozens of bugs hiding nearby.
• Don’t use over-the-counter sprays alone. They rarely penetrate hiding spots and often miss eggs.
• Don’t throw away furniture without professional advice. Proper treatment can save expensive items.
• Don’t move infested items to other rooms. This spreads the infestation throughout your home.
• Don’t delay professional treatment. DIY attempts often fail, wasting time and money.

Important note: Light infestations caught early are easier to treat. Persistent or widespread infestations require professional heat or chemical treatments to eliminate eggs and all life stages.

Professional Bed Bug Treatments

Heat Treatment

Heat treatment is the most effective method for complete elimination. Professional teams heat your entire home or specific rooms to 50–55°C for several hours, killing all bed bugs and eggs at every life stage.

Advantages:

• Kills 100% of bugs and eggs in one treatment.
• No chemical residue.
• Safe for people, pets, and electronics.
• Usually requires only one visit.

Disadvantages:

• More expensive than chemical treatments.
• Requires temporary relocation.
• Not suitable for heat-sensitive items.

Chemical Treatment

Professional-grade insecticides are applied to mattresses, furniture, skirting boards, and hidden voids. Multiple treatments (usually 2–3 weeks apart) are often needed to catch newly hatched nymphs.

Advantages:

• Less expensive than heat treatment.
• Can be targeted to specific areas.
• Allows you to stay in your home.

Disadvantages:

• Requires multiple visits.
• May take 4–6 weeks for complete elimination.
• Requires thorough preparation (decluttering, vacuuming).

Combined Approach

Many professionals recommend combining chemical treatment with heat treatment for stubborn infestations, or using chemical treatments followed by thorough inspection and prevention.

Local Insight: Bed Bugs in Derby & Ripley

Across Derby, Ripley, and Amber Valley, bed bug infestations are increasing, particularly in rental properties and areas with high visitor turnover. We’ve seen infestations spread rapidly through shared walls in flats and terraced houses, making early detection and professional treatment critical.

Common scenarios we handle:

• Holiday rentals with guest turnover
• Shared accommodation and student housing
• Rental properties between tenants
• Commercial properties (hotels, hostels, B&Bs)

Early professional intervention prevents weeks of discomfort and expensive furniture replacement. We can inspect your property and advise whether professional treatment is necessary. Start by booking a professional bed bug inspection or contacting us for a free quote.