Bedbugs - Commercial premises
The hospitality industry is justifiably concerned with the dramatic increase in Bedbug numbers in the U.K. Similar problems have been recorded in the U.S and in Australia where it is estimated to have cost the tourism industry $75 million last year. There are currently apps available for mobile phones confirming the latest reported Bedbug sightings at hotels. Travel advice websites frequently identify hotels with Bedbug issues. It is therefore essential that if you are responsible for an hotel or other rental property that you have an action plan in place to deal with Bedbugs – your reputation depends upon it. Rokill can provide detailed confidential advice and training for you and your team.
Current hotspots for Bedbugs include London, Brighton, Bournemouth and Bristol.
Choosing the right contractor
Bedbugs are challenging to control. One female can produce 500 eggs and the lifecycle can be completed in 3 weeks under optimum conditions. There is known resistance to insecticides and the fact that they can survive for 12-18 months without feeding means that you need experienced specialists to resolve your infestation.
Unfortunately many companies advertising themselves as specialists are in reality newly formed companies exploiting the recent upsurge.
Rokill have been trading for over 30 years and operate to the highest standards. We hold the Queen’s Royal Warrant for Pest control and the following accreditations:
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ISO9001 Quality Control systems
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ISO14001 Environmental systems
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ISO18001 Health & Safety systems
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National training Award
We operate to the highest standards and our service team have received training from Clive Boase one of the U.K’s leading experts in Bedbug control.
Safe
We are full members of the British Pest Control Association. We are also approved under the Safecontractor and CHAS Health & Safety assessment schemes. These accreditations prove that you are in the safe hands of a professional pest control company. All insecticides are assessed for your safety and all Rokill Technicians are highly trained professionals.
Why choose Rokill? - Guaranteed results
Rokill are confident in our abilities and offer a 6 month guarantee on our work giving you reassurance and peace of mind. Following an inspection by an experienced surveyor we will provide you with a cost effective solution and upon acceptance we will also provide you with detailed advice and guidance on how to reduce the risk of reinfestation.
Treatment procedures have been created based on advice from leading experts and our in house technical team. Our treatment regime utilises a range of the most effective insecticides combined with products that make the cracks and crevices favoured by these insects inhospitable. We continually review the products we use to ensure that they are the most effective and safest available.
Bedbugs
What are Bedbugs? To give them their scientific name they are Cimex lectularius which literally means bug of the bed.
What do Bedbugs look like?
The insects are not microscopic as is sometimes believed, these are reasonably large insects, when fully grown they measure about 6mm long. Reddish brown in colour and are flattened which allows them to crawl into gaps and cracks to hide. They have 6 legs and they cannot fly.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle starts with an egg and a Bedbug nymph hatches out, the nymphs pass through 5 stages before reaching maturity. Up to 500 eggs can be produced by one female.
The speed at which the insects develop is dependant on temperature and the availability of food. Under optimum conditions they can develop from egg to adult in 3 weeks. In severe infestations thousands of Bedbugs can be present.
How do I know if I have bedbugs?
What would I see?
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Live insects
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Cast skins
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Faecal spotting
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Bedbug eggs
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Blood spots
Habits
These insects are secretive hiding away during the day. The nymphs and both males and female adults feed exclusively on blood. The insects are nocturnal and will typically feed every 7 days for 10 -15 minutes absorbing more than its own body weight in blood. Humans are the preferred host but they will feed on domestic animals. They respond to warmth, odours and Carbon Dioxide. The mouthparts are piercing, a bit like a hollow needle, the insect injects anaesthetic and a chemical that stops the blood clotting.
Public Health Significance
The good news is that Bedbugs are not known to transmit diseases. However in some individuals bites can cause severe reactions and itching, this can causing scratching resulting in secondary infection. The presence of Bedbugs also causes great anxiety and distress.
Latest trends
In the 1930 Bedbugs were extremely common in domestic property throughout the U.K, with over 10% of homes believed to be infested. A steady decline was observed over the next 60 years, this was attributed to the success of insecticides and rising standards of hygiene.
In the late nineties numbers began to increase and in London increases of 25% per annum were recorded. Numbers are continuing to rise dramatically and it estimated over 10% of hotels encounter Bedbugs infestation each year.
How are they spread?
Bedbugs can be dispersed between properties in luggage, second hand furniture and on clothing.
Where will bedbugs hide?
Where will Bedbugs hide?
The key to effective Bedbug control starts with a through inspection to identify the extent of the problem. Once our proposals are agreed we will supply a detailed treatment plan with recommendations for actions will be agreed with the client, this will include:
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Action to be undertaken by the client before we treat the premises
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Treatment plan and timing for follow-up work
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Guarantee details
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Recommendations for proofing where appropriate
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Recommendations for changes to systems
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Recommendations for training staff
Inspection and Treatment
Acknowledgement to Richard Naylor for use of photographs
To arrange a free no obligation survey, please contact our friendly and experienced service control team on 0800 7830011, or email us and we will be happy to help you with any query you may have.