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 →We cover the TQ14 postcode area and the surrounding streets.
How we confirm a problem
We approach every Teignmouth job the same way: look first, then explain. The mattress seams, slats, headboard and bed frame are checked closely, followed by bedside units, skirting, curtains and any upholstered furniture in the room. We look for droppings, blood spots, shed skins and live bugs, and we show you what we find.
Sometimes the answer is reassuring, and the bites turn out to have another cause. Sometimes it is a small, early problem that is simple to deal with. Either way you leave with facts rather than guesses, and a sensible plan for watching the room over the next few weeks.
Seasonal lets and the seafront
Holiday accommodation in Teignmouth sees guests come and go in all weathers, and each handover is a small risk. Owners who check beds as part of the changeover routine spot trouble sooner. A torch, a few minutes and a habit of looking at the mattress corners is often all it takes to catch a first sign.
If a guest reports bites, keep the room out of use, avoid stripping it in a rush and let us inspect it. Moving bedding around can carry bugs into other rooms. A calm, recorded inspection also gives you something concrete to tell the guest, which is far better than a vague answer.
Older homes and keeping watch afterwards
Many Teignmouth houses are older, with floorboards, panelling and gaps that offer hiding places, so we look carefully behind and beneath furniture. Afterwards, wash bedding hot, reduce clutter near beds and use a zipped mattress cover to make the surface easier to check. We are happy to return and recheck if you are worried. We also cover Shaldon and Dawlish.
Frequently asked questions
Can bed bugs survive in a holiday let that sits empty over winter?
They can go a long time without feeding, so an empty property is not automatically clear. Check beds before the first guests arrive in the new season, especially if a problem was suspected before the let was closed.
What should I do with bedding if I think I have bed bugs?
Bag it before carrying it through the house, then wash and tumble dry on hot settings. Do not shake it out. Keep the bed as it is for the inspection so we can see where the signs are.
Do bed bugs spread diseases?
They are not known as a common spreader of illness, but bites itch and scratching can cause infection, and the stress and lost sleep are real. A reasonable approach is to find the problem and deal with it promptly.