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 →The bugs are small, flat and reddish-brown, and come out at night. They move between homes on luggage, coats and second-hand furniture, which is why a very tidy household can still have them.
Older buildings and where bed bugs settle
Thick walls, timber beams, old skirting and gaps between floorboards give bed bugs a lot of choice. In a Colyton house of this sort, we do not stop at the mattress. We also check behind headboards, along the picture rail, inside the bedside furniture and around the window frame.
Treatment is applied directly to the places where we find them and to the spots they are likely to use next. We take time over the awkward corners, because missing one is the usual reason bed bugs return. You will see what we found, and we explain which areas matter most.
Getting ready for us
Put sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases and curtains into sealed bags, then wash them hot. A tumble dry on a high setting afterwards helps where the fabric permits. Keep bagged washing out of other rooms until it is in the machine, so you do not move bugs around the house.
Clear the area beside the bed and take books, boxes and clothes off the floor. If you are a Colyton landlord or let a room to a lodger, make sure we can get in and out of the room easily, and tell us about any other bedrooms where bites have been reported.
The return visit
Once the first treatment is done in Colyton, we come back to inspect and treat again if anything has hatched or survived. We do not claim one visit will always be enough. If you notice new bites in between, call us rather than waiting. We also cover Seaton and Sidbury, so nearby properties can be checked if you are worried.
Frequently asked questions
Are bed bugs likely in a village like Colyton?
They can turn up anywhere people travel, stay away or buy used furniture. Village life does not protect a home, and older buildings with many gaps make them harder to find without a careful look.
What do bed bug marks look like on sheets?
You may see small rusty or red spots where a bug was squashed, tiny dark specks on the seams and pale shed skins. Together with a row of itchy bites, these are good signs of a problem.
Can I treat bed bugs myself with spray from a shop?
It is tempting, but sprays often miss hidden bugs and can drive them into other rooms. Hot washing bedding is useful, and we handle the treatment of the frame, walls and furniture properly.