**Bed Bug Control Information & Advice**

Pest Control Products UK

Advice for the treatment of bedbugs

The bed bug (cimex lectularius) is a nocturnal insect that feeds on human blood. It is generally found living either in or close to a bed or human sleeping place. Thoroughness is essentially to a successful bed bug eradication programme, and as with most pest control, housekeeping plays a major role.

Control:

Bedding should be stripped and sheets, pillows, mattress and base thoroughly checked for live insects and eggs (opaque and pearly white 1mm x 0.5mm), and for blood spots, which are a classic telltale sign of bedbug infestation. Check every crack and crevice, in particular the back of the headboard, the joints where legs and frame sections are attached, the seams and buttons of the mattress, plus skirting boards, wallpaper joints and any furniture or appliances near the bed.

Ideally, treatment should be done in the late afternoon if the bedroom can be left unoccupied overnight, or early in the morning if that is not possible. The room should be left vacant during the day to allow the treatment to take effect.

When commencing treatment, strip and launder all bedding - and any fabric items stored under or close to the bed - using the hottest wash cycle acceptable for the fabric. For delicate items, dry cleaning is an alternative to hot washing, or if that is not possible, items may be sealed in plastic and placed in a chest freezer for 24 hours to minimise the survival of insects and eggs.

Spray the whole mattress lightly with a residual insecticide such as Protector C (natural but deadly to a range of insects), with more spray where evidence of activity exists. Dismantle the bed and any affected furniture and spray all thoroughly. Lightly spray wall and floor surfaces around the bed. With the bed still dismantled, activate one Fortefog P Mini-Fumer (following instructions carefully), and leave the room as well sealed as possible for several hours.

Insect killing powder such as Agrothrin should be applied onto surfaces that may not be compatible with liquids, such as under seats on sofas, into electrical items and under skirting boards and carpets. Agrodust is an insecticidal powder containing NO harmful chemical ingredients, but which kills insects quickly by damaging the waxy cuticle of their exoskeleton and causing them to dehydrate.

Dethlac Insecticidal Lacquer may be used on wooden bed frames, cracks and crevices and non-porous surfaces. This product kills insects within hours of contact and acts as a resilient, invisible barrier against insects for months. Dethlac is sold in our unique Bed Bug Kits #1 , #2 and #3 , as is the natural personal pest repellent, Prevent.

Re-treat after 15-20 days in the case of established infestation. One-off incidental appearances between full treatments can be dealt with using Protector C, and Fortefog fumers may also provide a follow up treatment for minimal trouble.