The curse of the Bed bug!
Bed bugs it seems are rearing their ugly little heads again and are making an unwelcome return to our homes and also hotels. We are not just talking really rough hotels and poorer properties, they have also stamped their mark on even the more upmarket accommodation.
These small insects are oval shaped and a reddish brown colour. They have no wings and survive from living off the blood of humans and also animals.
They get the name of “bed bugs” from the fact that they are most commonly found in mattresses, carpets and even crevices in wooden furniture. They come out after dark and so this is when they tend to come out to bite!
These creatures travel really well and often stow away in luggage and clothing. Most places that see a large number of travellers passing through are quite susceptible and they are not fussy as to who their hosts are, they could be wealthy people, pilots or business travellers who can unbeknown to them be carriers.
When checking into a hotel it is always wise to check the bed first.
Take a look particularly underneath the mattress and along the seams. Don’t forget to take a good look in cracks on wooden furniture in the room. They are large enough to see with the human eye and its also quite easy to spot their droppings which could be tinged with blood.
You would know if you are bitten because tiny red and itchy welts appear on the skin. It is not a nice thought to be bitten whilst you are sleeping, however it can be treated fairly easily with topical ointments or corticosteroids.
The main thing to do is thoroughly check your bed and if you are unlucky enough to have an infestation then there are pest control companies who specialise in treating the problem.