The bedbug is an insect of the family Cimicidae that lives by feeding on the blood of humans and other warm-blooded hosts. Its name comes from its preferred habitat: mattresses, sofas, and other furniture. Though not strictly nocturnal, bedbugs are mainly active at night and this when they feed on their hosts. So if you are getting bitten during the night or early morning in your bed then its is very likely you have Bedbugs,

Did You Know?
The worst case of Bedbugs we have dealt with was in 1996 when we treated a bed-sit in North London that had over 5000 bedbugs.  It was the most severe case of Bedbugs we have ever seen but we got rid of them. 

How do you know if you have them?
Adult bedbugs are 4 - 5 mm in length, wingless and uniformly mahogany brown in colour. They have long well-developed walking legs with efficient tarsal claws for clinging on to the host during feeding. Prominent antennae project from the head adjacent to the compound eyes.

Bed bugs conceal themselves very well although visible to the human eye and remain at most times undetected retreating into a range of cracks and crevices in its environment. A good method of gauging if you have bed bugs is applying very sticky double sided or carpet tape on all sides of your bed frame, thereby catching them. Generally black dots closely bunched together on the edges of your mattress or behind your headboard, are an indication that there are signs of bed bug faeces. These insects need to be where a host is going to be, for an extended period. If in the bedroom, they will come out at night while the host is sleeping, from hiding places such as the frame and headboard of the bed, behind any loose or peeling wallpaper, cracks in wood-work or plaster, from behind ward-robes or bedside cabinets. In the lounge area, they favour soft furnishings and are often found around the arm joints of armchairs and settees.  Surprisingly bed bugs also hide under your carpets.

Why do we need to control them?
You will be bitten! The initial warning of a growing infestation is from actually being bitten.
The resulting irritancy of the anti-coagulant chemical around the bite site can be severe, particularly to people with soft sensitive skin. Scratching is difficult to resist but this can cause infection of the bite area. If this is a likely problem, you should consult a Doctor or Chemist to obtain appropriate medication. Bedbugs are more active at night, and infestations occur mainly in the bed-room and lounge areas. The bedbug feeds on the host by finding a bare patch of skin, through which it forces the feeding tube of its mouthparts, whilst at the same time injecting the host with its saliva. The saliva contains a chemical that prevents the blood from clotting. It is this substance that causes the itch and swelling associated with the 'bite' . The bite from this insect can be very irritating. If they are allowed to multiply unchecked, numbers could become such, that the host/s may become anaemic through blood loss, although this is rare.

How do we Control bedbugs
At thepiedpiper.uk.com we have a considerable amount of experience in dealing with bedbugs.  Our technicians have dealt with the most serious of cases and we have been successful everytime. A thorough inspection should be made to determine the extent and source of the infestation. Bedbugs can be introduced via second hand furniture, been brought in by the resident or entered the building from adjoining premises. Treatment for bedbugs is detailed and complex. Our technicians will normally carry out three visits against bedbugs

Please note that before any treatment commences the property has to be prepared for treatment and full instructions are giving at the time of booking.  It is imperative that the preparation instructions are adhered to as we are unable to treat premises that have not been properly prepared.Please note that some companies will not ask you to prepare your property for bedbug treatment and they will usually just spray the bed and around the edges of the carpet, stay away from these companies as this is not the correct way to deal with bedbugs. Proper prepapration will assist in the eradication of the bedbugs.

Our initial treatment consists of a dual insecticide treatment to the entire premises apart from the kitchen and bathroom. Before the treatment commences the residents are asked to vacate the premises and cannot return for four hours.

The follow ups
We would need to carry out two follow up visits at two weekly intervals after the initial treatment and the premises are treated in exactly the same way as the initial visit. Once our treatment has finished our technician will complete a detailed inspection report and discuss ways of preventing re-infestation with you.