Bed bug sightings are up 75 per cent – how to avoid bringing them to your home – Lincolnshire Live

Bed bug sightings in the UK have risen dramatically this year.

That is according to Mattress Next Day who enlisted the help of Lady Bug Pest Control who claim that they have been called out to reports of bed bug infestations 75% more often than last year.

Vicki Sims, managing director of Lady Bug Pest Control, said: "Knowing what a bed bug looks like is the easiest way to stop a bed bug problem from becoming an infestation.

Read more: All you need to know about the daddy long legs swarming your home

"Bed bugs are small, oval, brownish insects that feed on human and animal blood.

"Adult bed bugs have flat bodies, and are a similar size and colour to an apple pip, depending on their age.

"Although bed bugs are sometimes mistaken for fleas, what makes them more distinguishable is their colour, flat bodies and large abdomens.

"Bed bugs typically bite areas of the body that are exposed whilst sleeping, like the head, arms, and legs. The bites tend to be in clusters and appear as red raised bumps with a dark spot in the middle."

It is believed that the relaxation of coronavirus holiday restrictions has been responsible for the rise in bed bug sightings.

So if you are planning on going on holiday, here are eight tips to make sure that the bed bugs do not bite.

1) Keep your suitcase off your hotel bed

When people arrive in their hotel room, many place their suitcase straight onto the bed and start unpacking their clothes.

However, we would suggest keeping your suitcase off your bed as this is where bed bugs are most commonly found. Depending on the star rating of your hotel, you may have a luggage rack which is where you should ideally store your suitcase. But if you dont, keep your suitcase as close to the door as you can.

2) Store your clothes in wardrobes not drawers

It is safer to hang your clothes in a wardrobe than in drawers (especially if they are the drawers of your bed), as bed bugs cant fly, so they are less likely to be able to get to your clothes in a wardrobe.

3) Investigate the room for critters

Pull your bedding off the bed so that you can see the bare mattress, and any signs of actual bed bugs, or their faeces.

Next, lift the mattress up and look for bed bugs underneath your mattresses. Do this as well as in the crevices of the bed drawers if it is a divan bed.

Finally, you should investigate your mattress, including behind, and look in-between the gap between the headboard and the wall itself.

4) Separate clean clothes from dirty

Bed bugs are more attracted to dirty clothes than to clean clothes. So, when packing for a trip, make sure to take a spare plastic bag for your dirty clothing, and knot it each time you add to it.

5) Keep your room cool at night

According to the British Pest Control Association (BPCA), the ideal temperature for an adult bed bug to thrive is between 21-32C, so its best to keep your room cool at night-time.

6) Take extra caution if you wash your clothes on holiday

If you share laundry facilities with others on holiday, take extra caution.

When you transport your items to be washed, keep them in a plastic bag and once they are washed, remove them from the dryer and place them straight back in the bag.

7) Once home, unpack your clothes away from your bedroom

When you arrive home from your holiday, unpack your bag in a location other than the bedroom.

Ideally on a hard floor as you wont be able to spot bed bugs in the carpet.

8) Wash every single item of clothing - even those you do not wear

Once you arrive home, wash all your clothes, including those that you did not wear. If the washing labels of your clothes permit it, wash them in hot water.

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Bed bug sightings are up 75 per cent - how to avoid bringing them to your home - Lincolnshire Live