Where do they live?

Bedbugs are found wherever human beings sleep within a property. They can be carried into the home on luggage brought in after a stay in an infested hotel or dwelling. Bedbugs can also enter the home on second-hand furniture and in very rare cases, can be brought in on a person’s clothing.

They are nocturnal and spend most of their time hiding in areas such as floor cracks, under carpets, behind loose wallpaper or pictures, loose skirting boards and door frames and the surrounding structures of infested rooms. They commonly appear in the seams, piping and buttons of bed mattresses and on bedroom furniture.

Modern buildings often allow bedbugs to migrate along terraced houses and between flats, spreading the problem away from the original infestation.

What do they eat?

Bedbugs feed exclusively on blood, normally every 3-4 days and generally only in darkness. Although human blood is preferred, they can survive on blood from rabbits, dogs, cats and rodents etc.. Bedbugs can survive extreme starvation and have been known to survive for up to 12 months without feeding.

Are bedbugs a health hazard?

The close association of bedbugs with humans can cause a substantial nuisance through the blood feeding habits. Bites often result in a hard, white swelling – unlike flea bites, which leave a dark red spot. Itching caused by bites and the possibility of secondary infection caused by scratching is most common. If infestation is high then there can be a risk of anaemia. Bedbugs are not known to be carriers of human disease.

What do bedbugs look like?

Bedbugs are wingless, oval-shaped, flattened insects, usually about 6 mm long. When they have not eaten they are pale brown in colour but become reddish brown to mahogany when fully fed on blood. The head has large antennae and the mouthparts are well adapted for piercing the skin. Young bugs (nymphs) are nearly colourless, becoming brownish as they mature and moult five times before adulthood. Bedbugs can crawl up vertical surfaces of wood, paper and plaster, but are unable to crawl up smooth polished surfaces,

How can I control bedbugs?

Treatment must be very thorough and should therefore be carried out by a professional. Sabre has a range of the latest techniques available.

Please call 01923 634564  for further assistance.