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 →Having bed bugs does not mean your home is dirty. They arrive on luggage, visitors' bags and second-hand furniture, and then settle where people sleep. The sooner they are found, the easier they are to deal with.
Why older cottages take longer
Cockington has thatched and older cottages, and homes near open green space. Thick walls, beams, uneven floors and gaps behind panelling make good hiding places, so the inspection is slow and thorough. We check the bed frame, headboard, mattress seams, curtains hanging near the bed, and the edges of the floor.
We take care around delicate or antique furniture and ask before moving anything of value. If a piece is awkward to treat, we say so and suggest options. In an older home, we often find that bugs have spread a short way from the bed, to chairs or the wall behind.
What you can do beforehand
Bag and hot-wash the bedding and keep clean items sealed. Clear space around the bed and avoid moving things from room to room, as that can spread the problem. Leave pictures and loose items where they are so we can see what is near the bed.
If you let a room, have visitors often or recently bought a second-hand piece, tell us. In a village area like Cockington that can be the missing clue. We will talk through how long to keep the room out of use and what to watch for in the days after treatment.
Checking the result
We return to check and treat again if there are signs of life. We would rather be straight about it than promise a one-visit fix, because eggs and hidden bugs can survive the first round. Besides Cockington and TQ2, we also cover Torquay, Paignton and Maidencombe if you have a second property.
Frequently asked questions
Will treatment damage antique or delicate furniture?
We apply treatments carefully and only where needed. Tell us about any valuable pieces before we start and we will advise the safest way to deal with them, which may mean treating the edges and seams only.
Can bed bugs live in thatch?
Bed bugs live near people, in beds, sofas and nearby cracks, not in roofing. The problem is almost always in the sleeping areas, so that is where we concentrate the inspection and treatment.
How soon will the bites stop?
Bites from earlier nights can itch for a while, and new ones should stop once the bugs are dealt with. If bites continue after the treatment, tell us and we will check the room again.