Bed Bugs Pest Control Products from DIY Pest Control Bedbugs (Cimex lectularius) The bed bug is found worldwide, and throughout Britain. It still occurs surprisingly frequently and is associated with human habitation, hiding in furniture and structural cracks and crevices, emerging at night when hungry to search for blood meals. Importance The widespread introduction of central heating has extended the northern limit of the bedbug considerably. Although nationally it occurs less commonly than in the past it has recently seen a great increase in numbers in larger cities due to the increase in population movements. Bedbugs are not known to be frequent carriers of disease and their importance is related mostly to the unpleasant irritation following their bites. Control The structure of infested rooms should be sprayed with a broad spectrum residual insecticide, paying particular attention to bed frames, skirting boards, wall switches, joints in bedroom furniture and any other cracks and crevices likely to shelter adult or nymphal bugs. If possible, bedding materials including the mattress should be disposed of, or heat sterilised. In situations where the room can be vacated for a time, smoke fumers will kill some bed bugs in shallow harbourages. Wherever possible, after treatment, crevices should be sealed. If problems persist a further survey, possibly at night and using a pyrethrins aerosol, may indicate harbourages that have been missed. Other Species The Martin Bug (Oeciacus hirundinis) is smaller than the bedbug, (which is irrelevant for identification if nymphal stages are involved) and found in the nests of house martins and swallows. Occasionally it will enter domestic premises, especially when the adults and fledglings have flown.

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