Bed bugs are thankfully rare, but are still found in Ireland. They can infest anywhere that people sleep. Problems can occur where a large throughput of different people is common, such as hostels, guesthouses and hotels. Bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices during the day and come out at night to feed. The Bedbug is wingless, but the legs are well developed and it can crawl up most vertical surfaces, like bed legs, and therefore it is likely to be found near to where the host sleeps, in the mattress or bed frame, behind wallpaper and in furniture.

Bed Bugs are parasites, feeding on warm blood (namely ours), when we are sleeping. Although they can ingest up to 7 times their body weight in blood in one feed, they can also survive long periods without feeding. Fully grown Bed Bugs can endure starvation for several months.

After mating takes place, Bed Bugs will lay up to 200 eggs. The nymphs that hatch out are miniature versions of the adult; there is no larvae stage. The nymphs will moult several times over a period of 6-18 months before becoming an adult.

HOW TO TACKLE BED BUGS

Thorough and ongoing treatments with insecticides are often required to eliminate the bug and all its eggs. To control an infestation of Bed Bugs will usually require the services of a professional pest control technician using specialized equipment, protective clothing and approved insecticides, and possibly fumigation of premises, clothing and bedding will be necessary. Contact X-Pest for further information or a free quotation.