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 →They have nothing to do with how clean you keep your home. Bed bugs hitch lifts on bags, clothes and second-hand beds, and they are as likely to be found in a new estate as in an old terrace.
Different homes, same approach
Ivybridge has newer estates with built-in wardrobes and divan beds, plus older terraces with timber floors and gaps at the skirting. Both can hide bed bugs. In a divan they shelter in the base and seams, and in an older house they tuck into cracks and picture rails. We look in all of these places.
If the house is attached to a neighbour, tell us. Bed bugs can sometimes move between connected homes, and it is worth being aware of that. We will not make a drama of it, but we will explain what we find so you can decide whether to have a quiet word.
Preparing before we arrive
Strip the bed and bag the bedding, then wash it hot and dry it hot. Seal clean clothes in bags and clear the floor so we can reach the room edges. Avoid carrying armfuls of items through the house, because that can spread bugs to rooms that were clear.
Our treatment covers the frame, headboard, mattress seams, bedside furniture and the cracks around the room. We tell you what to leave undisturbed afterwards. If you live near the moor edge in Ivybridge and have been walking, that is not the cause, but do tell us if anyone has recently stayed away.
Follow-up and prevention
We come back to check the room and treat again if we find movement. In Ivybridge as anywhere, one visit does not always clear everything. After the work, inspect second-hand furniture, keep luggage off beds when travelling and look over the mattress seams now and then. We also cover Totnes and Salcombe, plus the PL21 area.
Frequently asked questions
Can I treat bed bugs myself with shop-bought products?
Home products often miss the cracks and seams where bugs hide and can scatter them to other rooms. A proper inspection finds the real hiding places first, which is what makes the treatment work properly.
Are bed bugs common in student or shared houses in Ivybridge?
They can turn up in any shared property because people come and go with bags and furniture. It is not a reflection on the occupants. Tell us which rooms are in use and we will check them all.
Do I need to empty my wardrobes?
Not usually everything. Clothes near the bed may need to be bagged and washed hot, but we will tell you which. Avoid piling things into other rooms until we have looked.