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With more people travelling, summer temperatures soaring and hotels operating at increasingly high occupancy rates, there has been a rise in bed bug outbreaks. A growing problem in student accommodation, hospitals, care homes and residential apartments, bed bugs cause psychological and physical harm by causing itchy bites, sleepless nights and anxiety.
In recent years, searches for ‘bed bugs’ have risen by a staggering 300% and feelings of fear and trepidation still exist as people feel ill-equipped to handle a bed bug infestation. Rentokil’s highly trained technicians use the latest advancements in bed bug detection and treatments to manage infestations effectively and discreetly, minimise the impact to guests, their reputation and revenue.
For over 50 years, Rentokil has been supplying effective bed bug control and treatment designed to protect commercial and residential properties from bed bugs.
Rentokil helps equip your employees with the knowledge they need to identify bed bugs, signs of a bed bug infestation and best practices for managing suspected bed bug issues. By adopting a clear, pre-emptive control strategy in the event of bed bug activity, your business significantly reduces the risk of deep infestations, which in turn significantly reduces the financial fallout from customer grievances.
Professional bed bug insecticidal treatments are an effective way of managing bed bug infestations. Various insecticides such as fast acting contact insecticides, residual insecticides and dust insecticides are used for comprehensive treatment of the infested area. A thorough insecticide treatment should involve 2-3 repeat visits to address cycle development. In commercial properties, treatment may be applied in the central location, and adjoining areas to combat bed bug movement.
At Rentokil, we strongly recommend against carrying out DIY treatments of bed bugs as it is a challenging and time-consuming process which requires expertise and the use of licensed chemical insecticides. Inappropriate pesticide products or the inappropriate use of pesticides can make you or your family very sick or make matters worse if left poorly treated.
We carry out a comprehensive survey of your sites to assess existing pest problems, future risks, health and safety hazards specific to your environment
We work with you to develop an integrated pest management program, bespoke to your production
Ensuring a clean, safe environment post pest infestation
Bed bugs are elusive pests that thrive in areas close to their human hosts. They are commonly found in mattresses, box springs, bed frames, and headboards, as these locations provide easy access to their primary food source: human blood. However, their habitats extend beyond beds. Bed bugs can also hide in furniture seams, carpet edges, electrical outlets, and even behind wallpaper. Their small, flat bodies enable them to squeeze into tiny cracks and crevices, making them difficult to detect.
Understanding where bed bugs live is essential for effective bed bug control. These pests are most active at night, emerging from their hiding spots to feed. During the day, they seek shelter in dark, hidden areas. Infestations can quickly spread as bed bugs hitchhike on luggage, clothing, and furniture. Recognising signs of their presence, such as small blood stains on sheets, dark fecal spots, and shed skin, is crucial for prompt action.
Effective bed bug treatment starts with a thorough inspection to identify their habitats. Professional pest control services, like those offered by Rentokil, use specialised methods to locate and eliminate bed bugs in their hiding places. By targeting their habitats directly, these treatments ensure a comprehensive and long-lasting solution to infestations.
While bed bugs aren't known to transmit diseases, a bed bug infestation carries significant health and wellbeing risks. The most common concerns include allergic reactions to bites, ranging from mild irritation to severe inflammation, which may lead to secondary infections if scratched excessively. Beyond physical symptoms, these persistent pests often trigger psychological distress, with many people experiencing anxiety, insomnia, and stress when dealing with bed bugs in their mattress or bed frame.
The financial impact of bed bug treatment can be substantial, typically requiring professional pest control services for effective eradication, especially in severe cases. Home remedies and non-chemical treatments like diatomaceous earth might help with minor infestations, but comprehensive control usually demands specialised expertise. These resilient pests hide in crevices throughout living spaces, making proper treatment challenging as they can quickly spread from localised areas to property-wide infestations. For landlords or accommodation providers, Cimex lectularius (commonly known as Bed Bugs) issues can damage reputation and lead to significant financial and legal complications if not addressed promptly.
Preventing a bed bug infestation is significantly easier than implementing bed bug treatment after these pests have established themselves in your home. Start by being vigilant when travelling—inspect hotel mattresses, bed frames and furniture for signs of bed bugs before settling in, and keep luggage off the floor. When returning home, wash and dry all clothing on high heat settings, as bed bugs cannot survive temperatures above 50°C. Regularly inspect your sleeping areas, paying close attention to mattress seams, headboards and nearby crevices where Cimex lectularius commonly hide.
Consider using protective mattress and pillow encasements that prevent bed bugs from entering or escaping. Be cautious when bringing secondhand furniture into your home; thoroughly inspect all items before bringing them indoors. Some homeowners use non-chemical treatments like diatomaceous earth around potential entry points for ongoing prevention. If you live in multi-unit housing, seal cracks in walls and around baseboards to limit pest movement. Should you notice signs of bed bugs despite these precautions, contact a professional pest control company immediately—early intervention is crucial for effective bed bug control and minimising the spread of these persistent pests.
Once you’ve booked in with us, see how you can best prepare for our service visit with the below list of preparation steps to ensure effective treatment of bed bugs - and keep them out.
Once you’ve booked in with us, be sure to follow the below steps ahead of time to prepare your premises for our service visit to ensure effective treatment of the infested area and surrounds.
All Rentokil technicians are highly qualified and trained to industry standards. Voted AEPMA (Australian Environmental Pest Management Association) Pest Manager of the Year 2020, our local teams offer a wide range of global innovations and bed bug control solutions for the most effective outcome.
Your bed bug control costs will ultimately reflect the time and effort it will take to control them from your home or business. The first step in determining the cost of bed bug control is fully understanding the problem. Have bed bugs travelled into other rooms? Have they been spotted in chairs and lounges? Are people being bitten?
To answer all the above questions, Rentokil will need to visit your property to inspect for bed bugs. Following this, the below factors will determine the most suitable bed bug treatment and its associated costs.
The square footage of your property and premises will have a direct impact on the type of bed bug treatment used and the number of follow-up treatments required.
If many bed bugs are present, or if there is a large infestation within your property, you may require more extensive treatment.
Pest treatment prices are never cut and dry, understand the factors which determine pest control costs.
The world's leading commercial pest control company, delivering unrivalled pest control for over 90 years.
Bed bug control involves a comprehensive approach to eliminate and prevent infestations. Rentokil's experts use professional insecticidal treatments, including contact, residual, and dust insecticides, and perform multiple visits to ensure complete eradication. With over 50 years of experience, Rentokil helps both residential and commercial properties manage bed bugs safely, providing pest prevention and targeted treatments tailored to specific environments.
Indications of a bed bug infestation may include bites on the skin, bloodstains on bedding or furniture, and the presence of small reddish-brown insects or their shed skins in and around sleeping areas. If you suspect a bed bug infestation in your home or business, Rentokil's bed bug treatment services can provide assistance.
Our complete bed bug control treatment is designed to tackle bed bug-pest problems with most appropriate and effective control methods.
Our comprehensive procedure includes complete pest inspection with treatment and optimal reduction of the spread of infectious pathogens.
The time it takes to see results after Rentokil's bed bug control can vary depending on the severity of the infestation and the treatment method used. In many cases, you may notice a significant reduction in bed bug activity within a few days to a week after treatment.
Our team is available to address any concerns or questions you may have throughout the treatment process and beyond.
Bed bugs can easily hitchhike on your luggage or clothing, and they may also infest your home by latching onto your belongings after visiting a bed bug-infested hotel.
Attempting to eliminate them independently can prove challenging, especially given their rapid and frequent reproduction. Contact your nearest local Rentokil service today to enlist the expertise of a bed bug control specialist for the job.
An integrated approach combining professional heat treatment, specialised insecticides, and preventative measures like mattress encasements provides the most effective and lasting solution to bed bug infestations.
While DIY bed bug treatment is possible for minor infestations using heat, vacuuming, and diatomaceous earth, professional pest control is recommended for complete eradication as bed bugs easily hide in the mattress and bed frame crevices.
Professional heat treatments (above 50°C) combined with specialised insecticides provide the most effective bed bug control, penetrating deep into furniture and crevices where Cimex lectularius hide.
Apply corticosteroid cream or calamine lotion to reduce itching, use cold compresses for swelling, and avoid scratching while ensuring proper bed bug treatment to prevent new bites.
Wash all bedding at 60°C, steam clean your mattress and bed frame, apply appropriate insecticides to crevices, and use quality bed bug-proof encasements while consulting professional pest control for complete eradication.
Yes, complete elimination is possible with professional pest control services that implement strategic chemical and non-chemical treatments, followed by thorough inspections to eradicate all bed bugs.