Across the counties of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, bed bug numbers are increasing, a fact which is largely due to their ...
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You've heard the phrase "don't let the bedbugs bite" – well, according to local pest control firms, bed bugs are on the increase in counties across the UK, and with around 20 enquiries per week, Cheshire is no different.
Bed bugs have been in this country for centuries, but they were practically eradicated in the 1970s with the exception of a few small areas. What used to be an insignificant pest for UK households is now turning into an epidemic, with significant rises in bed bug eradication jobs being witnessed all over the country.
Bed bugs thrives in warmer conditions, and the widespread introduction of central heating since the 1970s has extended the life of these pests. More recently however, experts put the rise in bed bugs cases down to climate change, although some put it down to cheaper travel where people bring back the bugs on luggage. Other reasons quoted for the rising number of bed bugs include the sale of second-hand furniture and ineffective insecticides.
Unfortunately, bed bugs can be a real nuisance to treat as they can get everywhere, including mattress corners, hollow bed frames and behind light fittings. This means that an infestation often requires multiple treatments and demands that the household in question be ruthless in throwing out beds, sofas and other soft furnishings that the bed bugs may be using as a refuge.
The insect, visible to the human eye at between four and five millimetres in length, lives in dark places near a source of food. They feed on human blood at night and can ingest more than seven times their own body weight. But they can live for up to a year without feeding by lying dormant.
Bed bugs are not know to spread diseases and that's why they're not considered a health hazard, but they have the same piercing, sucking mouth parts as a mosquito does and we know now that mosquitoes can pass on a range of diseases to both humans and household pets.
What is known, is that the number of bed bug infestations in rapidly increasing, so if you think that you may have this insect sharing your home, do not hesitate to call in the professionals to eradicate this pest as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Article provided by Dynamic Pest Control