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Or we'll call you...
The Bedbug
Key Features
The adult bedbug is a flat, oval shaped insect approximately 5 mm long, reddish-brown in colour becoming purple after feeding. They are nocturnal insects which feed at night.
Bedbugs are unable to fly; they either crawl or are passively transported in clothing, luggage, furniture, books or other objects used as harbourage. They are able to survive many months without feeding which increases their chances of surviving long periods of transportation or storage
How they live
Bedbug eggs are cemented to the surface of the harbourage, often in large numbers. Temperature and the availability of food have a profound effect on egg production and under ideal conditions can be almost continuous, at a rate of about three per day.
The eggs hatch to produce a nymph just over 1 mm long and like all nymphal stages appear similar to the adults apart from size and colour. The nymph requires one full blood meal before moulting to the next stage.
Development from egg to adult and the duration of adult life varies according to temperature and the availability of food. At 18 - 20°C nymphs feed about every ten days and the adults weekly.
If necessary both can survive long periods without food. In unheated rooms where the temperature drops below 13°C in the winter, egg laying and feeding stops and the population declines as eggs and young nymphs die.
Control
For our treatment services we offer a free survey of the premises or rooms that are affected, we prepare the survey report on-site and discuss the survey with the client. When the client has agreed with the necessary action to exterminate the bed bugs we will commence the treatment. Bedbugs are very small and can be present in many different locations this includes clothes and beddings, we recommend that some preparations is made to the property prior to the treatment being done, to make certain that the treatment is successful. The preparations should include vacuuming and laundry. When you book the appointment we will give information that provides full detail on this.
Biology
Adult bedbugs are about 5-7 mm long, oval, flat, brown- to mahogany-colored, with a 3-segmented beak, 4-segmented antennae, and vestigial wings. They have very thin, vertically flattened bodies covered with short, golden-coloured hair. They give off a distinctive musty, sweetish odour, due to certain chemicals that are produced by glands in their ventral thorax. Their abdomens are usually pointed in males and rounded in females. They feed on blood of birds or mammals; the method used for mating is “traumatic insemination.” It can take 3-12 minutes for one bedbug to feed. About 20% of the time adult bed bugs and large nymphs will void remains of earlier blood meals while feeding and this produces the characteristic rusty spots seen on bed sheets or in the bedbugs hiding places.
They feed repeatedly but each of the five nymphal stages must have at least 1 blood meal before it can develop to the next stage. Females must feed in order to produce eggs. Bedbugs will travel 5-20 ft. from an established harbourage to feed on a host. They seem to prefer humans; they readily feed on birds, rodents or other mammals. Their life cycle from egg to egg may take four to five weeks under favourable conditions. Bedbugs are nocturnal but will seek hosts and feed in full daylight when hungry. Females attach their small cylindrical pearly-white eggs to any nearby surfaces, usually in crevices / harbourages, where they hide in loose groups or clusters. Each female may lay 200-500 eggs during her lifetime, which can be 6-12 months and longer.
Common bedbugs can be found all over temperate areas of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres nearly anywhere that humans have established houses and cities. They thrive at temperatures and humidity’s that are considered comfortable by most people, who usually afford them ample blood meals and plenty of good harbourage nearby.
How they affect you
A property infested with bedbugs may be classified as being "in a verminous condition" under the Public Health Act 1936. Owners of these premises may be obliged to have them disinfested.
Although bedbugs are not regarded as disease carriers their blood feeding can cause severe irritation in some people, resulting in loss of sleep, lack of energy and listlessness, particularly in children. The bite of a bedbug often gives rise to a hard, whitish swelling which is different from a flea bite which leaves a dark red spot surrounded by a reddened area. People react differently to bites, some gaining immunity.
The excrement of a bedbug gives a characteristic speckled appearance to their harbourages. They also have stink glands which confer a distinctive and unpleasant almond like smell in infected rooms. The thought of being preyed on by bedbugs is normally sufficient to make most people take immediate action for some form of control.
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Copyright © 2008 Empire Pest Control Ltd
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Operational Areas and Postcodes
Pest Control East London
E1 Whitechapel, Stepney, Mile End E2 Bethnal Green, Shoreditch,E3 Bow, Bromley-by-Bow, E4 Chingford, Highams Park, E5 Clapton, E6 East Ham, E7 Forest Gate, Upton Park, E8 Hackney, Dalston, E9 Hackney, Homerton, E10 Leyton, E11 Leytonstone, E12 Manor Park, E13 Plaistow, E14 Poplar, Millwall, Isle of Dogs, Docklands, E15 Stratford, West Ham, E16 Canning Town, North Woolwich, Docklands, E17 Walthamstow, E18 South Woodford, IG1 Ilford, IG2 Gants Hill, IG3 SevenKings, IG4 Redbridge, IG5 Clayhall, IG6 Barkingside, IG7 Hainault, IG8 Woodford Green, IG9 Buckhurst Hill, IG10 Loughton, IG11 Barking
Pest Control North London & Pest Control North West London
N1 Islington, Barnsbury, Canonbury, N2 East Finchley, N3 Finchley Central, N4 Finsbury Park, Manor House, N5 Highbury, N6 Highgate, N7 Holloway, N8 Hornsey, Crouch End, N9 Lower Edmonton, N10 Muswell Hill, N11 Friern Barnet, New Southgate, N12 North Finchley, Woodside Park, N13 Palmers Green, N14 Southgate, N15 Seven Sisters, N16 Stoke Newington, Stamford Hill, N17 Tottenham, N18 Upper Edmonton, N19 Archway, Tufnell Park, N20 Whetstone, Totteridge, N21 Winchmore Hill, N22 Wood Green, Alexandra Palace, NW1 Regent's Park, Camden Town, NW2 Cricklewood, Neasden, NW3 Hampstead, Swiss Cottage, NW4 Hendon, Brent Cross, NW5 Kentish Town, NW6 West Hampstead, Kilburn, NW7 Mill Hill, NW8 St John's Wood, NW9 Kinsbury, Colindale, NW10 Willesden, Harlesden, Kensal Green, NW11 Golders Green, Hampstead Gdn Suburb.
Pest Control South London, Pest Control South East London & Pest Control South West London
SE1 Waterloo, Bermondsey, Southwark, Borough, SE2 Abbey Wood, SE3 Blackheath, Westcombe Park, SE4 Brockley, Crofton Park, Honor Oak Park, SE5 Camberwell, SE6 Catford, Hither Green, Bellingham,SE7 Charlton,SE8 Deptford,SE9 Eltham, Mottingham
SE10 Greenwich ,SE11 Lambeth,SE12 Lee, Grove Park ,SE13 Lewisham, Hither Green,SE14 New Cross, New Cross Gate,SE15 Peckham, Nunhead,SE16 Rotherhithe, South Bermonsey , Surrey Docks,SE17 Walworth, Elephant & Castle,SE18 Woolwich, Plumstead
SE19 Upper Norwood, Crystal Palace,SE20 Penge, Anerley,SE21 Dulwich,SE22 East Dulwich,SE23 Forest Hill,SE24 Herne Hill,SE25 South Norwood,SE26 Sydenham,SE27 West Norwood, Tulse Hill,SE28 Thamesmead,SW1 Westminster, Belgravia, Pimlico,SW2 Brixton, Streatham Hill,SW3 Chelsea, Brompton,SW4 Clapham,SW5 Earl's Court,SW6 Fulham, Parson's Green,SW7 South Kensington,SW8 South Lambeth, Nine Elms,SW9 Stockwell, Brixton,SW10 West Brompton, World's End,SW11 Battersea, Clapham Junction,SW12 Balham,SW13 Barnes, Castelnau,SW14 Mortlake, East Sheen,SW15 Putney, Roehampton,SW16 Streatham, Norbury,SW17 Tooting, Mitcham,SW18 Wandsworth, Southfields,SW19 Wimbldon, Colliers Wood, Southfields,SW20 West Wimbledon, Raynes Park,
Pest Control Central London, Pest Control City of London
WC1 Bloomsbury, Gray's Inn,WC2 Covent Garden, Holborn, Strand,EC1 Clerkenwell, Finsbury, Barbican,EC2 Moorgate, Liverpool Street,EC3 Monument, Tower Hill, Aldgate, EC4 Fleet Street, St. Paul's.
Pest Control West London
W2 Padington,W3 Acton,W4 Chiswick,W5 Ealing,W6 Hammersmith W7 Hanwell,W8 Kensington,W9 Maida Vale,W10 North Kensington W11 Notting Hill,W12 Shephards Bush,W13 West Ealing,W14 West Kensington
Pest Control Essex
CM0 Southminster, Burnham-on-Crouch, Bradwell, Tillingham, Asheldham, Dengie,CM1 Chelmsford, Writtle,CM2 Chelmsford,CM3 South Woodham Ferrers, Boreham,CM4 Blackmore, Fryerning, Ingatestone, Stock,CM5 Chipping Ongar, Bobbingworth, Moreton, The Lavers, The Rodings,CM6 Great Dunmow, Felsted,CM7 Braintree,CM8 Witham,CM9 Maldon, Tollesbury, Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Tolleshunt Knights,CM10 Bexleyheath,CM11 Billericay (East), Great Burstead,CM12 Billericay (West),CM13 Brentwood, East Horndon, Great Warley, Herongate, Hutton, Ingrave, Little
Warley, West Horndon,CM14 Brentwood,CM15 Brentwood, Doddinghurst, Kelvedon Hatch, Mountnessing, Stondon Massey,CM16 Epping, Theydon Bois,CM17 Harlow,CM18 Harlow,CM19 Harlow, Roydon, Essex,CM20 Harlow,CM21 Sawbridgeworth,CM22 Bishop's Stortford
CM23 Bishop's Stortford,CM24 Stansted Mountfitchet,RM1 Romford,RM2 Gidea Park,RM2 Gidea Park,RM2 Gidea Park,RM3 Harold Wood,RM4 Havering-atte-Bower,RM5 Collier Row,RM5 Collier Row,RM6 Chadwell Heath,RM7 Rush Green,RM8 Becontree Heath,RM10 Dagenham,RM11 Emerson Park,RM12 Hornchurch ,RM13 Rainham,RM14 Upminster,RM15 South Ockendon, Aveley,RM16 Chafford Hundred, Chadwell St. Mary, North Stifford, Orsett,RM17 Grays, Badgers Dene,RM18 Tilbury, East Tilbury, West Tilbury,RM19 Purfleet,RM20 West Thurrock, South Stifford,IG1 Ilford,IG2 Gants Hill,IG3 Seven Kings,IG4 Redbridge,IG5 Clayhall,IG6 Barkingside,IG7 Hainault,IG8 Woodford Green,IG9 Buckhurst Hill,IG10 Loughton,IG11 Barking
Pest Control Hertfordshire & Pest Control Middlesex
EN1 Enfield,EN2 Enfield Town,EN3 Ponders End,EN4 Cockfosters,EN5 Barnet,EN6 Potters Bar, South Mimms, Cuffley, Northaw,EN7 Cheshunt,EN8 Waltham Cross,EN9 Waltham Abbey,EN10 Broxbourne, EN11 Hoddesdon,HA0 Wembley,HA9 Wembley,HA1 Harrow,HA1 Harrow,HA2 Harrow,HA3 Kenton,Wealdstone,HA4 Ruislip,HA5 Pinner,HA6 Northwood,HA7 Stanmore,HA8 Edgware, AL1 St Albans,AL2 St Albans, Bricket Wood, Colney Street, Frogmore, London Colney, Napsbury, Park
Street, Potters Crouch,AL3 St Albans, Childwickbury, Flamstead, Gorhambury, Markyate, Porters Wood,
Redbourne, Sandridge,AL4 St Albans, Colney Heath, London Colney, Marshalswick, Oaklands, Sandridge,
Smallford, Tyttenhanger, Wheathampstead,AL5 Harpenden,AL6 Welwyn, Ayot St Peter, Ayot St Lawrence, Digswell, Rabley Heath, Tewin,AL7 Welwyn Garden City,AL8 Welwyn Garden City, Lemsford,AL9 Hatfield, Brookmans Park, Essendon, North Mymms, AL10 Hatfield,WD3 Batchworth Heath, Chandlers Cross, Chenies, Chorleywood, Croxley Green,
Heronsgate, Loudwater, Maple Cross, Mill End, Rickmansworth, Sarratt, West Hyde,WD4 Bucks Hill, Chipperfield, Hunton Bridge, Kings Langley,WD5 Bedmond, Abbots Langley,WD6 Borehamwood, Elstree, Well End,WD7 Shenley, Radlett,WD17 Watford, Cassiobury, Nascot Wood, WD18 West Watford,WD19 Oxhey, South Oxhey,WD23 Bushey, Bushey Heath,WD24 North Watford,WD25 Garston, Aldenham, Leavesden, Letchmore Heath,UB1 Southall,UB2 Norwood Green,UB3 Hayes,UB4 Yeading,UB5 Northolt,UB6 Greenford,UB7 West Drayton,UB8 Uxbridge,UB9 Harefield,UB10 Hillingdon.
Pest Control Richmond, Pest Control Surrey & Pest Control Kingston upon Thames
SM1 Sutton,SM2 Belmont,SM3 Cheam,SM4 Morden,SM5 Carshalton,SM6 Wallington,TN14 Cudham,TN14 Cudham,TN16 Biggin Hill,TW1 Twickenham,TW2 Whitton,TW3 Hounslow,TW4 Hounslow West,TW5 Heston,TW6 Heathrow,TW7 Isleworth,TW8 Brentford,TW8 Brentford,TW9 Richmond,TW10 Ham,TW11 Teddington,TW12 Hampton,TW13 Feltham,TW14 Hatton,TW15 Ashford,TW16 Sunbury-on-Thames,TW17 Shepperton,TW18 Staines, Egham Hythe,TW19 Stanwell, Wraysbury,TW20 Egham, Englefield Green,KT1 Kingston,KT2 Norbiton,KT2 Norbiton,KT3 New Malden,KT4 Worcester ParkKT5 Berrylands,KT6 Surbiton,KT9 Chessington,CR0 Croydon,CR9 Croydon,CR2 South Croydon,CR4 Mitcham,CR5 Coulsdon,CR7 Thornton Heath,CR8 Purley.
Pest Control Kent
BR1 Bromley,BR2 Bromley, Keston,BR3 Beckenham,BR4 West Wickham,BR5 St Mary Cray,BR6 Orpington,BR7 Chislehurst,DA1 Crayford,DA5 Bexley,DA6 Bexleyheath,DA7 Bexleyheath,DA8 Erith,DA14 Sidcup,DA15 Sidcup,DA16 Welling,DA17 Belvedere.
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