Are Bed Bugs in the UK a Problem?
WouterBedbugs are becoming an increasingly common problem in the UK. They can be brought into a home through travel bags, clothes, or second-hand furniture. Infestations usually occur in hotel bedrooms and other areas with a high turnover of people. Symptoms of bedbug infestations include bites that appear in clusters and faecal matter around buttons and seams.
There are a number of different species of bedbugs. Typically, the UK’s main species is Cimex lectularious, which is most commonly found in bedrooms and lounges. This type of insect feeds on blood and has modified its mouthparts so that it can suck blood without leaving any bite marks. During its lifetime, female Cimex lectularious can lay as many as 200 to 500 eggs.
Bedbugs can also infest upholstered furniture. To spot bedbugs, check for folds, skirts, and seams on upholstered furniture. Sofas and recliners are particularly vulnerable to infestation. Bedbug eggs are often left on the clothing of an infested person. You should avoid purchasing used furniture until you are sure that the furniture is free of bugs. Bedbugs can also infest your clothing – make sure you don’t wear old or worn clothes.
Symptoms of bedbug infestation include red spots on sheets, tiny blood spots, and an itchy rash. In severe cases, bedbug bites may even cause an infection. If the bedbugs are present, you must act quickly to get rid of them.
