Many of us have been left feeling itchy after watching a number of videos claiming to show the extent of a bed bug infestation in the UK as cases surge.
Since then more footage has emerged apparently showing the critters in the UK – with bugs spotted on the London Underground and cases reported across Britain from Greater Manchester, Essex, Wiltshire and Bedfordshire.
But what should we do if we spot the insects in our home – and how can we be sure they are what we think they are?
Speaking on BBC’s Morning Live today (Monday, October 23), Dr Xand shared his tips for spotting, and dealing with, the unwanted guests.
He admitted that it can be hard to identify the “vampiric” creatures.
Referring to a viral video that claimed, “the bed bugs have arrived in London”, he said: “We don’t know that’s a bed bug. Bed bugs move like insects. That could be, that could be a spider, that could be an ant.
“It could be a carpet bug. It could be all kinds of different things. We don’t know it’s a bed bug.”
According to the NHS, bed bugs are dark yellow, red or brown in colour and around five millimetres in length. They live on bedding or furniture.
Dr Xand explained that one way to be sure is to check for bites, which will most likely appear in the morning when you wake up.
“Bed bugs are insects that feed at night,” he said. “They are obligated blood drinkers. So they have a kind of vampiric quality already, they’re hard to kill, they’re hard to see.”
If your bites create a “zigzag” pattern that could also indicate bed bugs.
Dr Xand said: “Bed bugs don’t transmit diseases. Some people are affected more than others but they can leave nasty bites.
“They’re described as having a zigzag appearance, but really zigzag is just if you draw a line between dots, you get a zigzag.
“But they’re kind of randomly dotted around you typically.”
He warned that this could also be the case for mosquito bites and scabies.
“They all look pretty similar,” Dr Xand said. “So first thing is, if you are getting bitten, don’t panic.
“There are lots of things that can bite you, lots of different causes for rashes.
“But if you have a chronic, itchy rash go and talk to your doctor because yes, it may be bed bugs – you may need to get pest control in.
“But it could be something else including bacteria, viruses, allergies, autoimmune problems. There are loads of different causes so don’t just assume it’s bed bugs because you saw something on the socials.”
Dr Xand added that, “bed bed bugs are not associated with dirt or with lack of hygiene. You’re not going to catch them off your colleagues,” he said.
Other ways to spot bed bugs
Entomologist Dee Patel joined Dr Xand to share other telltale signs of a bedbug infestation.
Speaking on Morning Live, he said: “You can usually tell. Now what we’re looking for is tiny little red dots or tiny, little black dots.
“Now, these will be on your linen on soft furnishings. What are they? Unfortunately, the black dots are their faeces.
“So, you’ll see bits of their poop in these tiny, little black dots and the red dots they are squashed bed bugs, which we may have squashed with me, turning over in bed or something like that and it’s the blood stain. So, little black dots and red dots.”
They can be accompanied by a perfume-like smell, he said.
Mr Patel continued: “Sometimes a musty kind of smell, a sweet, musty smell, but don’t confuse it with somebody’s perfume because it can be a bit like that.”
To get rid of bed bugs, Mr Patel recommended the “SWERVE” technique:
- S – Steam cleaning
- W – White vinegar
- E – Essential oils including lavender
- R – Removing clutter
- V – Vacuuming
- E – Every day: follow these steps every day.
He added: “However, if we do have an investigation, we must contact the relevant council department, and get a pest control association organisation that’s been approved to come and deal with this issue.”