Bed Bugs                                                
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This should be based around five key essentials:

1. Inspect to establish the extent and location of the infestation.

2. Prescribe the best treatment strategy for the particular situation.

3. Communicate to set the right expectations and gain sufficient cooperation.

4. Treat using the most effective products in the best and safest ways.

5. Follow-up to assess results and re-treat if necessary.

Wherever bed bug infestations are suspected, a thorough inspection of all sites of activity and harbourage is crucial for treatment. A good torch and magnifying tool should be used to ensure that no bugs, eggs and faecal deposits are overlooked.                                                                                         

Key areas for inspection include:

• Tufts, seams, buttons & folds of mattresses
• Box springs, bed frames and covers
• Couches, chairs, cushions and curtains
• Window and door mouldings
• Behind loose wallpaper and pictures
• Cracks in walls or hardwood flooring
• Under carpets along walls (tack strip)
• Outlets & switch plates
• Luggage, boxes and other portable items                                               

Inspectors should be alert for the typical bed bug odour. They must also be prepared to move and take apart items of furniture, look inside electrical fittings and lift carpets along their edges so that no potential harbourage sites are overlooked.

Adjoining rooms and other areas of the premises should also be inspected to establish the full extent of the infestation.

Clients need to be prepared for the fact that an initial bed bug treatment may take five hours or more and involve considerable disruption. In addition, repeat treatment is likely to be required for complete control.

They also need to be aware that the amount of treatment time will increase with the degree of clutter in the environment. Cooperation from clients and occupants is essential to successful, cost-effective treatment.

• Beds must be completely stripped down before insecticide treatment with all sheets, duvets, blankets, valances and other bedding placed in a bin liner and either laundered or professionally cleaned
• Curtains, soft furnishings and any clothing that may provide potential harbourages should also be removed for thorough washing or dry cleaning
• To kill all bed bug stages, materials need to be washed in hot water (> 49º C for > 10 minutes) with soap or detergent before drying in a hot dryer (> 60º C for > 20minutes)

• Vacuuming exposed surfaces or resting sites is a valuable first step in removing a significant number of nymphs and adult bed bugs
• Using a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtered vacuum will ensure the many allergens associated with bed bugs and their debris are also removed
• Vacuum bags should be removed immediately, sealed tightly inside a plastic bag and either incinerated or placed in the normal rubbish collection

Adjoining rooms must also be treated as bed bugs will move away from treated areas. Although not a statutory requirement, access to these areas should be restricted until the deposit is dry. As a rule, a one hour exclusion period should generally be sufficient.