subject: Expert tips given on keeping mattresses free of bugs [print this page] Most people do not like the thought of sharing their mattress with creepy crawlies and a writer has provided tips on how to combat bedbug problems.
In the Windsor Star, Sharon Hill noted individuals do not have to be bitten by the creatures to know they have them.
The insects leave droppings, which can often be seen by the seam of a mattress, she noted.
She added: "Since they are nocturnal, the bedbugs may be hiding out in furniture, floors and walls."
The parasites, which are roughly the size of an apple seed and swell up to three times their normal size when they have fed, can be treated using pest management firms.
Such organisations often utilise steamers to kill them and their eggs, meaning homeowners should be rid of the creatures for a considerable length of time.
Those who want extra reassurance that their mattress is free from the animals can also buy their own steamers, Ms Hill pointed out.
Meanwhile, Steve Peltier, owner of Steve's Pest Management, noted it does not cost anything to remove clutter.
Bedbugs can live in mess such as cardboard boxes and clothes left on the floor.
By vacuuming regularly, people can ensure they are less likely to be able to breed and gain in numbers, he said.
Consumers should also think twice when buying used furniture or clothing, Mr Peltier advised, as such items can come infested with the bugs.
According to the NHS, spots of blood on bed sheets and an unpleasant almond smell are two signs of bedbug infestations.
It recommends that homeowners who find themselves suffering such an invasion should treat their properties with an insecticide supplied by a reputable company. It also noted there is a section concerning pest control on the Directgov website, which provides information on how local councils can help with such issues.
Expert tips given on keeping mattresses free of bugs
