Sports fans heading over to Paris to watch the Olympic Games this summer are being advised to be aware of the threat of bed bugs, following significant infections reported across the French capital last year. With thousands of athletes and spectators descending on the city and surrounding areas, experts are reminding travellers that suitcases are considered the number one entry point for bed bugs. Additional movement can act as a catalyst for bed bug infestation by creating more opportunities for the critters to spread as they can be easily carried through bedding, clothing and luggage.
Just in case your hotel is unfortunate enough to have some sneaky stowaways hiding in the bedrooms, guests are advised not to place suitcases on the bed or soft furnishings, but to keep them tucked away in the bathroom, bathtub or other smooth surfaces. Should you see any sign of bed bugs in your belongings when you return home, it's important to act fast to prevent an infestation in your home. READ MORE: Remove 'tough' toilet limescale using bathroom expert's 'surprising' 30p method Dr.
Jonathan Kirby, pest expert at NOPE! , has provided professional insight on how to identify bed bug infestations and tips on how to treat them if they’ve settled in your home. He said: "The common bed bug averages around 5mm long and 2mm wide. They have rounded bodies and smaller rounded heads with two antennae protruding from the top.
They are reddish-brown with vestigial wings that cannot function. "They typically hide in beds, mattresses, headboards, crevices and cracks around rooms, and can be easily transmitted on clothing and suitcases. "If they have recently eaten, bed bugs take on a redder colour and temporarily look swollen.
Their 1mm long eggs can be challenging to spot but look out for white-to-translucent pellets (not an easy task on a mattress)." What to do if an infestation strikes Bed bugs are notoriously hard to get rid of. However, it’s not an impossible task.
Once you’ve correctly identified bed bugs, this four-step pest control strategy will help you remove the critters. Wash at high temperature Shake all bedding and clothes outside the home to remove eggs, moulted casings and dead bed bugs. Then, wash all bedding and clothes affected at a high temperature of over 60°C.
Clean the surrounding areas Vacuum all areas of suspected bed bug activity, including along mattress edges, under and around beds, and use a coarse brush to get rid of debris. Bed bugs can escape the kitchen bin, so immediately empty the vacuum cleaner, and remove its contents from the home. Don’t forget to reach skirting boards or anywhere bed bugs could be hiding.
Start at the furthest edge of known bed bug activity and work inwards - this also helps minimise the accidental spread of bed bugs elsewhere in the home. Treat the area Once the cleaning steps are done, apply a bed bug killer to mattresses, furnishings and furniture to eradicate living bed bugs and prevent re-infestation for up to three months. Bed bugs hide inside cracks and gaps so ensure to spray those areas.
Choose one that kills bugs quickly, while remaining safe for home use. Prevention The best method to avoid infestations is prevention. Make sure to regularly vacuum mattresses and bedding, paying particular attention to seams and corners, and repair cracks in walls, skirting boards and any small defect a bed bug could infest.
Additionally, before bringing items into your home like luggage and clothing check for signs of bed bugs. How long does it take to clear the infestation? The time it takes to get rid of the infestation can vary anywhere from two weeks to several months. Being thorough is the key to clearing an infestation as fast as possible, which includes repeating cleaning steps like washing at high temperatures, cleaning surrounding areas and treating infected areas.
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