British Pest Control Association says vigilance is key to tackling bedbug infestations

Concerns are growing about the increasing number of bedbug infestations in the UK, after Luton Brough Council announced it had received an “alarming number” of calls regarding bedbugs.

Bedbugs have been an issue in the UK for many years, but there are concerns infestations could soar in coming months following a wave of infestations in Paris and other French cities.

Reports that bedbug infestations are on the rise in France

The tiny insects, which grow to around 5mm in length, have been spotted on trains, buses cinemas and hospitals in France.

Bedbugs can attach themselves to luggage and clothing, so it is believed many could have been bought over by tourists and holidaymakers over the summer months.

The Eurostar operator says it has not seen or heard any proven reports of bedbugs, but has taken preventative measures on its London-Paris trains, ramping up its cleaning routine to minimise the chances of infestations spreading.

However, a spokesperson told ITV News that the presence of bedbugs on Eurostar trains is “extremely rare”, and the train company already thoroughly cleans their trains on a regular basis with hot-water injections and extraction cleaning, which has proven “highly effective in eliminating bugs.”

What are the signs of a bedbugs?

There has been a 65% increase in bedbug infestations over the last year, according to data released by Rentokil in September, and the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) is encouraging the public to conduct regular checks of their home.

The BPCA says vigilance is key to identifying the early signs of an infestation, as it is much easier to treat when it’s more contained.

While bedbugs are hard to avoid, the pest control association says there are various things you can do to prevent them from infiltrating your home.

This includes bagging up luggage and clothes when you stay in hotels abroad, and checking for signs of infestations before you bring second hand furniture into your home.

Signs of bedbugs include red bites on your skin, and small reddish-brown clusters or dark spots, small blood smears and small brown insects in and around the bed area.

When to seek treatment from a healthcare professional

Bedbugs are not dangerous, but they can be very distressing to deal with. If you think you have bedbugs, the NHS recommends contacting your local council or pest control service, as it’s very difficult to get rid of bedbugs on your own.

If you have visible bites, the NHS recommends self-treatment with a clean, damp, cloth to help itching and swelling, keeping the affected area clean, and not scratching the bites as this could cause an infection.

However, if the bites do not clear up within a week or so, or the bites are particularly itchy or painful, you should speak to a healthcare professional. A pharmacist is a good first port of call, as they can prescribe antihistamines to help itchy bites or a mild steroid cream if necessary.

If these treatments fail or if the pain and swelling around the bites is swelling, the NHS recommends booking an appointment with your GP.

More information about how to control and treat a bedbug infestation can be found on the British Pest Control Association’s website.