Recent data from pest control experts Rentokil shows there has been a 65% surge in bedbug infestations in the UK over the past year. Sightings of bedbugs on the tube in London have sparked something of a panic, but it's important to note that these pests are nothing new and can be dealt with.
For larger infestations, your best bet is to call a professional pest control service, but if you spot the signs of bedbugs early, there are things you can do to get rid them yourself.
Get our expert tips for making smarter consumer choices.What do bedbugs look like?
Bedbugs are visible to the naked eye. They're oval-shaped, can be up to seven millimetres in length and are usually brown in colour. They're parasitic insects that feed on the blood of people and animals while they sleep, so if they've been feeding, their colour will range from dark red to brown.
Juvenile bedbugs are very small – only a couple of millimetres across. They're also pale and translucent, so they can be very easily overlooked.
‘Knowing what a bedbug looks like and knowing where they're going to be hiding will allow for early detection,’ says Alex Wade, a pest management expert and consultant member of the British Pest Control Association.
‘At that point, if the population is small and localised, you have a better chance of being able to deal with it yourself.’
How to check for bedbugs
Bedbugs can hide in many places, including on bed frames, mattresses, clothing, furniture, behind pictures and under loose wallpaper. It's a good idea to keep your home clean and tidy to make it easier to spot bedbugs so you can remedy any problems swiftly.
Signs of bedbugs include:
Bites Small brown spots on bedding or furnitureSpotting themHow to get rid of bedbugs
If you’re unfortunate enough to discover bedbugs in your home, there are steps you can take to get rid of them.
The key to defeating bedbugs is prolonged heat treatment. Exposing the pests to temperatures greater than 45°C for at least 30 minutes has shown to be effective, so you could try washing clothes in a hot cycle in the washing machine, tumble drying your clothes or treating the area with a steam cleaner.
Can you get rid of bedbugs with a tumble dryer?
Household appliances like a tumble dryer can be effective at killing bed bugs, confirms pest expert Wade.
Throw the items you suspect are infested into the drum when they are dry and set your machine to high – just make sure to check the label beforehand, as not all fabrics can withstand high temperatures.
Compare prices on popular models we've tested, or read our guide to the .And if you don't have a tumble dryer? 'Use a hotter washing machine cycle,' says Wade. Running a cycle around 60°C would be ideal, but again, check the label to make sure you won't ruin your clothes or bedding.
Can you get rid of bedbugs with a steam cleaner?
Similar to the tumble dryer, killing bedbugs with a steam cleaner works by exposing them to heat.
However, Wade warns that you 'need to be relatively up close and personal' to the bedbugs with this method, as you'll need to run the hot steam right over them.
This can be tricky, and will certainly be time consuming, if your bedbug infestation has spread. But it will be effective for smaller issues that you've spotted early.
Before using a steam cleaner, ensure you remove any electronics or items sensitive to heat and moisture from the area you plan to treat.
Compare prices for popular steam cleaners we've tested, or to find the best one for you.Can you get rid of bedbugs with a vacuum cleaner?
Unfortunately, a vacuum cleaner won't get rid of bedbugs as they are nimble enough to escape the dust chamber, or simply survive within the vacuum.
But vacuuming is a helpful way of keeping your home clean and tidy so that it’s easier to spot any signs of bedbug infestations.
Compare prices for popular models we've tested under £250, or read our to find the best model for you.Should you get professional help for bedbugs?
If you don’t have a tumble dryer or a steam cleaner, or your bedbug infestation is serious, then call a professional.
Pest control experts are better placed to deal with large infestations as they can heat treat entire rooms: ‘The idea of space heat treatment is you'll get a relatively high temperature over a long period of time,' says Wade.
'So wherever those insects are hiding – spread into crevices, around bed frames, on your mattresses, on your headboards – it will kill them.'
It's also important to not associate bedbugs with dirty spaces. According to Wade, the association of bedbugs with 'unclean living' has created a stigma that's not only false, but can also delay people seeking help to solve the problem.
‘If you prolong that period, the problem just simply gets worse,' says Wade. 'You should be looking to remedy that situation as soon as you're aware that it's occurred.'
He also stresses that you should avoid moving infested objects from one room to another, as this risks spreading the pests and beginning a new cycle.
Should you get a new mattress if you've had bedbugs?
Throwing away your mattress and all your bedding is a drastic, and expensive, way of dealing with bedbugs.
Unless you've had your home professionally treated, there’s no guarantee that bedbugs won’t still be lurking elsewhere in your home. If you have had your home treated, there should be no need to throw away your mattress. Seek advice from your pest control expert.
How to prevent bedbugs
If you’ve done a thorough search of your home and found no bedbugs, there are measures you can take to prevent a bedbug infestation.
Wash clothing and bedding regularly -Declutter -Vacuum regularly -Get a mattress protector -Get our expert tips for making smarter consumer choices. undefinedsource https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/how-to-get-rid-of-bedbugs-aUsjV5r522kq