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 →You might notice bites in rows, blood marks on bedding or a faint sweet smell by the bed. Finding them does not mean the house is dirty; they simply hitch a ride on luggage and used furniture.
Treating the bed and everything around it
The bed is the centre of the problem, so it gets the closest attention. We go over the mattress edges and tags, the bed frame joints, the headboard and the bedside furniture. Then the treatment moves to skirting boards, floor edges, sockets where gaps allow, and chairs or sofas close by.
In the older parts of Ottery St Mary, walls and floors are rarely straight, so there are plenty of gaps for bed bugs to use. Newer homes have their own hiding places, such as bed bases with hollow sections. We check both kinds and tell you what we found and where.
Preparing your room
Strip the bed and seal bedding, pillows and nearby clothing in bags. Wash on a hot setting and tumble dry when the label allows. Carry bags straight to the machine so nothing is dropped along the way. Items that cannot be washed can be kept sealed until we have advised.
Leave floor space around the bed clear, take everything out of bedside drawers and move any boxes stored under the bed. If you rent out a property in Ottery St Mary, let tenants know in advance, because treatment works better when we can reach every corner of the room.
After the first treatment
We return to Ottery St Mary after a short interval to inspect the treated areas and deal with anything that survived, since bed bug eggs can hatch after the first visit. Until then, keep sleeping in the room as normal unless we say otherwise, and let us know if bites continue. We also work in Sidford and Whimple, and across the EX11 area.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know the bites are from bed bugs and not fleas?
Fleas usually bite ankles and lower legs, often if you have pets, while bed bug bites tend to be on the arms, neck and shoulders after a night in bed. Finding spots on the mattress is a stronger clue.
Do you treat rented flats in Ottery St Mary?
Yes. We treat flats, houses and shared properties. In a rented home it helps if the landlord and tenant agree who is arranging the visit, and we can check adjoining rooms or flats when asked.
Can I use a hot wash instead of a treatment?
Hot washing kills bugs on bedding and clothes, but it does not reach those in the frame, walls and furniture. Washing is part of the preparation, and the treatment deals with the rest.