Key Facts About Bed Bugs

The Bed Bug (Cimex lectularis) is a nocturnal parasite which feeds exclusively on mammalian blood, most commonly human.

Bed Bugs were almost completely eliminated form Scotland in the early 1940's due to widespread use of highly toxic chemicals such as DDT, which is no longer considered safe. In the years since, knowledge and understanding of this pest issue diminished.

However, in the last 10-15 years the numbers have started to increase again and we are now observing a Bed Bug epidemic with reported infestations in large cities such as Glasgow and Edinburgh increasing exponentially. This is now a common trend worldwide with increased infestations even being encountered in rural settings.

Bed Bugs are always associated with human habitation, hiding in furniture and structural cracks and crevices, emerging at night between 1-3am to feed. Bed Bugs feed on human hosts by breaking the skin with its piercing mouth parts and taking a blood meal. The Bed Bug will feed for 5-10 minutes in up to 3 locations until completely engorged with blood beforereturning to its hiding place. During feeding the Bed Bug will inject its saliva through a separate tube to the feeding tube. This saliva contains anticoagulant and anesthetic properties as to help mask their presence. 

Significance of Controlling Bed Bug Activity

Bed Bugs are not known to be frequent carriers of disease or blood borne infections like HIV (see article) despite common fears. The most significant issue is the unpleasant irritation following their bites. The distress that can be caused by a Bed Bug infestation can be extreme with people reluctant to sleep in their beds or homes and in some cases the infestation leads to associated physiological trauma.

There is evidence to suggest that Bed Bug activity may be partly responsible for the lowering of social standards in areas of infested housing, where some householders are tempted to move away from the area to avoid the trouble and the stigma of the problem.

Bed Bug Infestations are also potentially devastating to the business and reputation of many hotels, hostels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts and the Hospitality Industry in general. In this setting the correct course of action and adequate Staff Training on Bed Bugs is essential to safe guard businesses. There have been many newspaper stories and legal cases (see article) in recent years to show the impact of Bed Bugs on the Hospitality Industry. 

Our highly trained service technicians are able to rapidly eliminate any infestation. Contact Pest Solutions at our Glasgow, Edinburgh
or Aberdeen office for a service visit, survey or advice.


Contact 0800 027 2555 today to arrange a free site survey..!

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Tags: bed bug, bed bugs, bedbug, edinburgh, glasgow, pest, pest control

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