Bed Bug Treatment

Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 18:00. Saturday and Sunday by arrangement.

Waking up with bites, or finding small spots on the mattress? Bed bugs will not go away on their own and they spread easily. We inspect, treat and follow up until the infestation is under control.

About bed bugs

Bed bugs are small, flat insects that hide in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards and furniture close to where people sleep, coming out at night to feed. They are excellent hitch-hikers, travelling in luggage, clothing and second-hand furniture. Anyone can get bed bugs: they are not a sign of a dirty home.

MSE Pest Control is a local, RSPH Level 2 qualified pest controller and a member of the BPCA and NPTA. Bed bug control is a multi-visit insecticide treatment, and it only works well with good preparation from the customer. We will give you a clear pre-treatment checklist and explain each step so you know exactly what to do.

Signs of bed bugs

Itchy bites, often in lines or clusters, that appear overnight on the arms, shoulders, neck or legs
Small dark spots (droppings) on mattress seams, bed frames, headboards and nearby walls
Tiny blood spots on sheets or pillowcases
Pale, empty shed skins in mattress seams, bed frames or behind headboards
Live bed bugs: flat, oval, reddish-brown insects about the size of an apple seed
Tiny pale eggs, about 1mm long, in crevices around the bed
A musty, sweet smell in heavily infested rooms

How we treat bed bugs

A thorough inspection of beds, mattresses, furniture, skirting, sockets and nearby areas to confirm bed bugs and find where they are hiding
A professional insecticide treatment targeted at those hiding places, including mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, furniture joints and skirting
A pre-treatment checklist so rooms are prepared properly before each visit
A planned follow-up treatment, usually about two weeks later, to deal with bed bugs hatching from eggs after the first visit
Further visits where the infestation is heavy or has spread
Discreet visits for homes, rental properties, HMOs and accommodation businesses

Bed bugs found during an inspection, from one of our jobs

What bed bugs look like

Adult bed bugs are flat, oval and reddish-brown, roughly the size of an apple seed. After feeding they swell and look darker.

Check mattress seams, bed frames, headboards and the edges of carpets. Small dark spots on bedding are another common sign.

Risks and why it matters

Health: bed bugs are not known to spread disease, but bites can be very itchy and some people have strong skin reactions. Scratching can lead to infection.
Sleep and wellbeing: an ongoing bed bug problem can cause serious loss of sleep, stress and anxiety.
Spread: bed bugs spread from room to room and between flats, HMOs and hotel rooms, especially if infested furniture is moved.
Landlords and HMOs: pest infestations can be a hazard under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, so landlords and agents need to act promptly, especially in shared housing.
Accommodation businesses: hotels, guest houses and holiday lets need to deal with bed bugs quickly and discreetly to protect guests and their reputation.

Identifying bed bugs

Common bed bug (Cimex lectularius): the species found in UK homes. Adults are about 4 to 5mm long, flat, oval and reddish-brown, becoming swollen and darker after feeding. They cannot fly or jump.
Young bed bugs (nymphs): smaller and paler, almost translucent before feeding.
Eggs: about 1mm long, pale and firmly attached in crevices close to where people sleep.
Look-alikes: carpet beetles, booklice and bat bugs are sometimes mistaken for bed bugs. We will confirm what you have before treating.

What to expect

Call us and we will book an inspection and send you our bed bug pre-treatment checklist.

We inspect, confirm bed bugs and agree the treatment plan with you.

Prepare the rooms using the checklist, then we carry out the first treatment.

Keep sleeping in your bed; this helps draw bed bugs out to the treatment. Avoid moving furniture or bedding to other rooms, and do not hoover the treated areas for at least 2 weeks after treatment.

We return for the follow-up treatment, usually about two weeks later, and check whether further work is needed.

Preparing for your visit

Wash bedding, clothes, curtains and soft toys from affected rooms on the hottest wash the fabric allows, then tumble dry
Bag clean items in sealed plastic bags and keep them sealed until treatment is finished
Clear around beds and the edges of the room so we can reach skirting, furniture and bed frames
Empty bedside cabinets and drawers in affected rooms
Do not throw out mattresses or furniture without asking us first, as moving them can spread bed bugs
Hoover the room, mattress seams and bed frame thoroughly before we arrive, then empty the hoover outside into a sealed bag

Prevention tips

Check hotel beds, headboards and mattress seams when you travel, and keep luggage off the floor and bed
Wash and tumble dry clothes on a hot setting after travelling
Inspect second-hand beds, sofas and furniture carefully before bringing them home
Reduce clutter around beds, which gives bed bugs places to hide
Check mattress seams and bed frames regularly, especially in rented and shared housing
Act quickly at the first sign; small infestations are easier to treat
Landlords: inspect between tenancies and respond quickly to tenant reports

Seasonal notes

Bed bugs have no real season and are a problem all year round in heated homes. Calls often rise after the summer holidays, when travellers return with bed bugs in their luggage, and in busy periods for hotels and shared housing.