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 →Cullompton has an older centre, newer estates and good road links, so people and belongings move in and out all the time. Bed bugs benefit from that, travelling on bags, clothes and used furniture.
Signs that it is bed bugs
The classic signs are itchy bites in a line or cluster, small blood spots on sheets, dark specks on the mattress seams and a sweet, musty smell in a closed room. You may also find pale, papery skins that the bugs have shed as they grow. One sign alone may not be enough to be sure.
When we visit a Cullompton home we look for live bugs and eggs as well as marks, because that tells us how far the problem has spread. We then show you the evidence, so you know the room really has them and understand what is being treated.
Treating the room and the furniture
Treatment covers the bed frame, mattress edges and seams, headboard, skirting, floor edges and any nearby furniture. Newer houses have bed bases with hollow sections and flat-pack furniture with many joints, so those get as much attention as an old wooden bed. We work in an order that avoids pushing bugs into new areas.
Before we arrive, wash bedding and clothes hot, bag them and clear the floor round the bed. For rented homes in Cullompton, tenants and landlords should agree who prepares the room, as gaps in the preparation can mean a second treatment is needed.
Follow-up checks and prevention
We return to check treated areas in Cullompton and finish the job if any bugs are found. Afterwards, check second-hand furniture before bringing it inside, keep luggage off beds when travelling and look at mattress seams now and then. We also cover Crediton and Whimple, within EX15 and across Mid Devon.
Frequently asked questions
I rent in Cullompton. Who is responsible for bed bug treatment?
That depends on your tenancy agreement and how the bugs arrived, so it is worth speaking to your landlord early. We can treat the property once it is arranged and give a written note of what we found.
Can bed bugs spread through a flat or terrace?
Yes, they can travel along pipes, wall gaps and shared cables. We look at adjoining rooms in your own home and advise if a neighbouring property may need to be checked.
Do I need to empty all my wardrobes?
Not usually. Bed bugs prefer places near the bed, but if the problem has spread we may ask you to bag and wash clothing from nearby wardrobes. We will tell you exactly which items on the day.