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 village sits in the River Sid valley, with older cottages next to newer homes, and bed bugs turn up in both. They arrive on suitcases, coats and second-hand furniture, so please do not feel embarrassed about calling us.
Where we look and what we treat
Bed bugs hide in tight spaces close to a sleeping person. We check the mattress piping and seams, the slats and joints of the bed frame, the back of the headboard, and the wall behind it. Dark spots, shed skins and a sweet, musty smell all help us judge how long they have been there.
Treatment then covers each of those places, along with skirting boards, cracks in the floor edge, bedside tables and any upholstered chairs nearby. In a Sidford cottage with uneven walls and old floorboards there can be more hiding places than you would expect, so we work slowly and do not rush past the awkward corners.
Preparing before we arrive
Take bedding, pillows, curtains and washable clothes off the bed and seal them in bags before moving them. Wash them hot and tumble dry where the labels allow, since heat is one of the most reliable ways to deal with bed bugs on fabric. Keep the bagged items away from clean rooms until washed.
Clear the floor beside the bed, empty the bedside cupboard and pull the bed a little away from the wall if you can. If you are a Sidford landlord with tenants, ask them to do the same and let us know about any other rooms where bites have been noticed.
Follow-up and keeping them out
We return to Sidford for a second visit to check for survivors and treat again if we find any, because one visit seldom clears a whole infestation. Afterwards, keep luggage off the bed, inspect second-hand furniture before it comes indoors and check hotel mattresses when you travel. We also work in Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell bed bug bites from other bites?
Bites often appear in lines or small clusters on skin that was uncovered in bed, and itch for a day or two. They can look like other bites, so we look for blood spots, shed skins and live bugs before confirming.
Will the neighbours in Sidford need to know?
Not necessarily. We keep visits discreet, and bed bugs only matter to neighbours in attached houses if they have spread through shared walls. We will tell you if we think an adjoining property should be checked.
Do I have to wash everything in the house?
No. Concentrate on bedding, curtains and clothing from the affected room. Items that cannot be washed can sometimes be tumble dried on a hot setting, and we will tell you what else needs attention on the day.