Advice
Signs of Bed Bugs and What to Do Next
Bed bugs are small, flat insects that hide close to where people sleep, and knowing the early signs helps you act before they spread through a home.
Read the guide →If you are unsure whether bites are from bed bugs, we will look properly and tell you what we find.
Why older cottages need a patient inspection
In Cockington, as elsewhere, bed bugs are small and flat, and they squeeze into very narrow gaps. In a cottage with beams, uneven floors, old plaster and deep skirting, there are many cracks to explore. We check the bed first, then headboards, furniture and the edges of floors and walls near where people sleep.
The signs are the same as in any home: dark spots on mattress seams, shed skins, small eggs and sometimes live bugs. We also look for blood marks on sheets. Where a cottage has been altered over the years, we pay attention to any gaps that connect rooms.
Guest rooms, visitors and brought-in furniture
A home that welcomes visitors, or lets a room, has more chances of picking up a stray bug. Cockington draws walkers and day trippers, and some stay nearby, so keeping guest bedding easy to wash and mattresses easy to inspect is a sensible habit.
Antique and second-hand furniture deserves special care. Charming old chests and headboards have joints and carvings where bugs can sit unnoticed. Look carefully at seams, drawers and undersides before bringing anything into a bedroom, and keep it away from the bed until you are happy it is clear.
What happens after we find something
If bed bugs are confirmed in Cockington, we explain the plan, how to prepare the room, and what to do with bedding and clothing. A follow-up visit checks that it has worked. Afterwards, regular seam checks and tidy bed bases help you catch any return early. We also cover Torquay, Paignton and Maidencombe nearby.
Frequently asked questions
Can bed bugs live in a thatched cottage?
They live where people sleep, so the roof is rarely the issue. Bed bugs favour mattresses, frames and furniture close to the bed. Older cottages may have more gaps for them to hide in, so inspection takes longer.
I bought an antique bed. Should I check it for bed bugs?
Yes. Look at joints, slats, carvings and the underside before it goes into the bedroom. Dark specks, shed skins or tiny pale eggs are warning signs. If in doubt, leave it outside the bedroom and ask us to look.
Do I have to throw away my mattress if it has bed bugs?
Not always. Many mattresses can be treated and then protected with a cover. We advise after inspecting the seams and condition. Throwing furniture out without a plan can spread bugs through the house and into the street.