With recent bed bug outbreaks across Paris, there are concerns we could soon see a similar outbreak here in the UK.
Microbiologist and founder of Bed Bugs Ltd, David Cain, said he believed there was already a similar level of issue with bed bugs in London as there is in Paris.
Mr Cain said he has witnessed an "exponential growth” in bed bug cases over the last 20 years to the point now where they are “out of control”.
He added: "They’re not just in people’s beds: they’re on public transport, in doctor’s surgeries, cinemas, restaurants – all over the place.
“People are still encountering bedbugs in virtually every major city in the world. They’re just not hashtagging them like in Paris.”
Transport for London said it is “not aware of any confirmed sightings of bed bugs” on London’s transport network and it, along with Eurostar, would continue to monitor the situation.
The UK saw a 65% increase in bed bug infestations from 2022 to 2023, according to pest-control company Rentokil's data from September.
But how do you know if you've got bed bugs and if you do, how do you get rid of them?
The 65p product that can help get rid of bed bugs
According to the owner of the cleaning company Daily Poppins, Nigel Bearman, there is a simple "home remedy" that can help remove bedbugs and will only cost you 65p - baking soda.
Mr Bearman, in The Metro, said using baking soda causes the surface fluids on the bed bugs' waxy shell to be absorbed, causing them to dehydrate.
All you have to do is sprinkle baking soda around your mattress, bed and any other areas you think the bugs might be hiding.
You should then vacuum it up after a few days, and then repeat the process.
Bicarbonate Of Soda can be found for 65p at supermarkets including Aldi and Tesco.
The Daily Poppins expert said lavender oil was another good product to use for getting rid of bed bugs.
Other ways of getting rid of bed bugs
The experts at Bed Kingdom have also shared their advice about how to get rid of bed bugs in your home.
The team said: "First of all, try to identify all of the areas where the bed bugs could be hiding by using a flashlight and a magnifying glass.
"This includes your entire bed, cushions, cracks in walls and furniture, loose wallpaper, the seam between wallpaper and the ceiling, and underneath decorations on your wall".
The other things that advised to do to help get rid of bed bugs included:
- Wash any affected bedding or clothing on a hot wash.
- Use a tumble dryer in a hot setting (for a minimum of half an hour)
- Place any items that can't be washed in plastic bags and leave them in the freezer for 3-4 days
- Don't use an insecticide (as some of them can contain harmful chemicals)
- Clear out any rubbish from your bedroom
- Give your house or affected areas a really good vacuum
How to know if you've got bed bugs - the 7 key signs
Experts at Bed Kingdom have provided seven key signs to look out for that could mean that you have bed bugs:
Unusual smell
One of the early signs of bed bugs is a strange, musty scent lingering in your bedroom, despite there being no clear cause of it being there, such as a dirty pile of clothes.
Bites
If you wake up with red, itchy bites, this could be a sign of bed bugs as they typically feed on blood during the night.
Usually, bites will appear on arms, hands, and legs and will be in small clusters of a few bites, but they can also show up in single bites.
These bites are not usually dangerous, but some people can be allergic.
Blood stains
Once a bed bug is finished feeding itself, the blood can leak out if you squash it during your sleep by sudden movements like rolling over.
If you notice any small splotches of blood on your bed sheets or clothing, check for anything on your body first that could be the cause, like a scab.
If there’s no visible cause of the blood, it’s likely that these stains occurred from bedbugs.
Dark, brown marks
Dark marks - a lot smaller than blood stains - from bed bug droppings about the size of a pen tip can appear.
They will also give off a faint, rusty smell that contributes to the unusual odour.
Eggs
Bed bug eggs can be hard to spot, as they are only around 1mm long – but they can be found by paying attention to anything that looks like small rice grains in your bed.
Shell casings
Often easier to spot than the bed bugs themselves, shell casings are an early sign of infestation.
Bed bugs shed several times during different lifecycle stages, meaning that their shell casings can come in different sizes – but you can spot them by their yellow, translucent appearance.
Live bed bugs
It can be quite a challenge to spot a live bed bug, as they normally look for a hiding place, however with a severe infestation you are more likely to notice them.
Adult bed bugs are approximately 4-5mm long, with bed bug nymphs starting at just 1mm.
Their hiding spots can be various places from your bed and the area next to it to furniture and your walls.
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