Nocturnal bloodsuckers – Meet the bedbug

Nocturnal bloodsuckers – Meet the bedbug

Did the recent stories about an infestation of bed bugs in Paris make you itch? There has been a huge increase in cases of bed bugs recently in the capital city of France. This has been due to higher temperatures and an increase in visitors to the city staying in hotels, motels and Airbnb apartments.

Bedbugs are just one species of bugs that include cicadas, scales and aphids. There are apparently 5,650 species found in Australia and a staggering 57,000 species world wide. Many bugs feed on plants but others live off blood from animals, birds and humans. The bedbug is one such case which hides in bedding and furnishings and feasts during the night.

The bites of bedbugs are irritating and as has been seen in Paris, when found in sleeping areas of hotels, hostels and other accommodation they can damage more than people but also your business reputation.

Bedbugs tend to congregate in sleeping quarters and lay eggs near or around cracks in nearby furniture. A female may lay between 200-500 eggs in her lifetime which can be from 45 days to nearly a year. Bedbugs don’t need to eat regularly to survive but they are all bloodsuckers.

Room temperature is a contributing factor to the presence of bed bugs as is the presence of a host which can be human, a cat or other animals.

So what are the main signs of bedbugs?

1. Irritation when sleeping

2. Blood spots on sheets

3. Odour that may be due to a severe infestation

And what can be done?

• Firstly a good inspection is critical to determining the scale of an infestation.

• Secondly chemical treatment with careful application to all problem areas is necessary

• Third improvements to hygiene standards can stop bedbugs from returning in future

Remember - we’re here to help

Safe Circle Pest Control have the most efficient solutions to your pest problems. Call us on 1300 793 191 so we can help get rid of your cockroach infestation immediately.