Bedbugs on pillow glasgow

Right Pest Control are experts in eradiating bed bugs from homes and businesses throughout East Renfrewshire & Paisley. We have 10 years’ experience in dealing with bed bug problems. 

Our prices are much cheaper than national companies and we use the same if not better chemicals and tools to do the job. Our treatments are safe for children and pets provided you follow our pre and post treatment instructions which we discuss with you before doing the works.

For a quick free quote call us on 01412660243.

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are red-brown flightless parasites that prefer to feed on human blood. In contrast, pets are rarely infested. They belong to the family of flat bugs known to entomologists as Cimicidae.

Bed bugs are spread by human travel and interaction. They follow people, which is why they can now be found everywhere. As a result of our worldwide travel and global trade, the spread of bed bugs has increased significantly.

They are brought in via baggage and goods boxes in planes, ships, trains and vehicles. But they can also get into homes through second hand furniture.

What Is Their Lifecycle?

Bed bugs in the lab can live up to 18 months without a blood meal.

After the eggs have been fertilized, the nymphs hatch after around two weeks. They then go through five development phases before they grow into a full-grown adult bed bug.

They are relatively resilient and can survive for many months without food even in extreme situations. They are temperature sensitive though so if the temperature falls below 13 degrees their population growth rate will slow. Also if the temperature exceeds 45 degrees then they begin to die as well. Heat treatment using industrial equipment uses this fact to kill bed bug populations.

I should add that you should not use domestic heating equipment to kill bed bugs as it simply does not have the power to totally eradicate a problem. Apart from a big electricity bill and a more spread out infestation you won’t get much benefit from doing so.

Bedbug bites

What Do They Eat?

Human blood. 

They are attracted by exhaled CO2 , body heat and the smell of humans. They use these cues to get close to us and feed on our blood. Until they have found a suitable place on the skin, they bite (stab) repeatedly in multiple bite marks in a small area which can become visible on the skin. Bed bugs try to drink blood at least once a week.

Where Do They Hide Or Nest?

Bed bugs are nocturnal and attack humans while they sleep. During the day they hide in dark, places such as cracks & crevices. They often stay close to get their food by nesting in the head board or the slats of your bed.

They can also be found between your clothes, under and in the folds of the mattress, in cracks in furniture, between the floor and skirting boards, in sockets and in cracks in wallpaper and wall coverings.

bedbugs glasgow

What Do They Look Like?

Bed bugs can grow to be around 4-6 mm long.
They are elongated, mahogany-brown to black in colour. In shape they are apple seed shaped and usually flat when unfed but more filled out after a blood meal.

Bed bugs have 6 legs like all other insects.

The nymph stage is similar in appearance to the adult bedbug, but they are smaller and lighter in colour.

The eggs are whitish and about 2.5 mm long

What about bed bug bites?

Their bites can cause itching and redness. This is also called cimicosis. Scratching these affected areas can increase the risk of an infection or allergic reaction.

When bedbugs bite the skin they secrete saliva to prevent blood clotting, which causes itching and wheals at the puncture site. The skin reactions generally only appear a few days later and the symptoms last up to 10 days.

Not every doctor can immediately recognise a bed bug bite, as the puncture site is also similar to that of fleas and mosquitoes. Antihistamines and cooling gels or hydrocortisone creams from the pharmacy can help against the first signs of a reaction. Before using such products we do recommend you seek medical advice from a qualified medical professional.

How Do I Detect A Bed Bug Infestation?

Bedbugs are very small and hide away during the day. Even so, there are some tell tale signs that indicate a bed bug infestation. If you have a bad feeling after your holiday or are already noticing the first symptoms, use the checklist below to check whether bed bugs have taken up residence in your home.

If you’re not sure, I advise you to immediately contact a bed bug control specialist like us who can immediately take steps to identify and deal with your problem.

Our checklist on how to recognize a bed bug infestation:

You may find dark red-black, small dots in your bed or surrounding furniture- usually in clusters. These can also be found on the mattress, wallpaper or upholstery fabric. These are bed bugs’ droppings.

You can find live or dead bed bugs in your bed frame luggage, furniture, mattress or bedding.

You may feel itchy or see bite marks on your skin or already have a rash. Not all people have such a rash.

You may see the 1mm long, pale nymphs or whitish-cream-colored eggs.
In severe infestations you will notice a nasty, sweet smell, especially in closed rooms.

What Does A Bed Bug Control Cost?

The cost of treatment varies depending on the degree and complexity of the bed bug infestation. Before pest control measures are taken an analysis of the infestation and the critical question of how many rooms are affected should be enacted. Pre treatment preparation is vital when arranging bed bug control which we can talk you through.

What Should I Do Before Treatment?

Our checklist of things to do before treatment:

  • Thorough vacuuming and mopping, even in hard-to-reach cracks, in the rooms to be treated.
  • Wash all clothing, towels, backpacks, shoes, soft toys and mattress covers at 60 ° Celsius.
  • Wipe all items that you cannot machine wash.
  • Stow all washed and dried textiles and clothes airtight bags or in places where you do not suspect bed bugs.
  • Remove all personal belongings except for furniture from the room to be treated and place them in the kitchen, hall or bathroom. This includes electronics, clothing, paperwork, books, toys etc.

For a quick free quote for bedbug control call us on 01412660243.