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Bed bugs are a sneaky menace, not only creeping into hospitality spots but also making themselves at home in unsuspecting houses.

They’re not picky, these little critters—whether it’s a luxury hotel or your cosy flat, they’ll hitch a ride with you without you even realising it. Take the recent situation in Paris as a striking example.

These pests need a host—sorry, but that’s you—to feed on in order to survive, which is why they love to nest close to your bed. You’ll never see them coming, and before you know it, you’re speckled with their nasty bites and your friends and family are keeping you at arm’s length.

The real difficulty is the way they spread. If you don’t catch them early, you could find yourself dealing with a full-blown infestation. Early detection is your best defence—spot them before they take over, and you’ll save yourself from a whole lot of hassle.

With all the experience they’ve gained from dealing with these stubborn little invaders, VERM-TECH has put together a proper guide to help you get rid of them once and for all. This professional pest control and fumigation service knows all the expert tricks and fool-proof methods to help you fight back and keep your home bed-bug-free for good.

Signs of bed bug infestation:

Common hiding spots for these nasty nigglers are usually under the base of the bed as well as under the foot of the bed base where you can find them nestled tightly together. If this is not visible to you, then the next sure sign is someone complaining about itchy bites.

You can tell that they’re bed bugs if the bites are small, red, swollen and almost in a straight line or clump, which is different to the scattered, larger marks of fleas or mosquito bites. If you notice small red spots on the bed sheet and linen, then that is also likely a sign that the bed bugs have come in the night, as they leave blood traces behind once fleeing the host.

If you suspect you have a bed bug infestation, you need to act swiftly. In VERM-TECH‘s experience, even a small infestation, if left unchecked, can quickly spiral out of control and spread far beyond what was originally noticed. Time is critical, and swift action is key to preventing a nightmare.

The most reliable way to confirm if bed bugs have made their way into your space is by using a bed bug detection tool:

One of the most effective methods is using Active Bed Bug Monitors. These clever devices trick the bed bugs into thinking there’s a fresh, juicy host nearby. By emitting a combination of carbon dioxide and heat—the very same signals bed bugs follow when hunting for their next blood meal—they lure the critters out of hiding. Once the bugs come sniffing around, they walk right into the trap, finding themselves caught before they can feast.

Alternatively, passive bed bug detectors, or bed bug interceptors, can be used. These devices rely on the bed bugs’ inability to climb smooth, vertical surfaces. Small plastic dishes are placed under the bed posts, with a rough outer surface for the bugs to climb up, but the inner surface is slicker than oil. Once the bugs fall in, they’re trapped with no way to escape.

Travel precautions to avoid bringing bed bugs home:

When travelling and staying at hotels, Airbnbs, or bed and breakfasts, it’s crucial to take a few simple precautions to ensure you don’t unknowingly bring home any bed bugs. Likewise, if you have an Airbnb or lodging of some sort, it is certainly worth doing regular checks so that you don’t send your guests scuttling before the bugs.

How does one go about this? Start by conducting a thorough inspection of the bed mattress, headboard, sheets, and base. Look for the tell-tale signs—red or brown blood spots, shed skins, or even the little critters themselves hiding in the sheets, bed, and bed linen. These signs are red flags that your room might be harbouring unwanted guests.

But that’s not all. Another precaution to take is to keep your luggage off the floor. Most accommodations provide luggage racks, so make use of them. Avoid placing your bags directly on the floor, where bed bugs are more likely to hitch a ride.

For those who want to take it a step further, wrap your luggage in cling wrap plastic. It’s an extra barrier that can prevent any sneaky critters from crawling into your bags and hitching a lift back home with you. It might seem like a bit of overkill, but it’s worth it to avoid the hassle of an infestation.

Other precautions we can take:

• Don’t unpack fully
• Keep clothes in your luggage
• Avoid using hotel drawers
• Hang clothes in the bathroom when possible as bed bugs are less likely to hide there
• Wash and dry clothes on high heat immediately after your trip
• Vacuum suitcases after travelling
• Clean your luggage thoroughly before storing
• Consider portable heaters – some travellers use portable heating devices to treat their luggage
• Be cautious with souvenirs
• Inspect any second-hand items before bringing them home
• Use protective covers
• Consider bed bug-proof encasements for your luggage
• Stay vigilant
• Keep an eye out for bites or signs of bed bugs after your trip

First line of defence – DIY bed bug treatment methods:

Bed bugs and their eggs will die when exposed to temperatures of 50°C (122°F) for a sustained period, so a heating method is an effective way to banish the bugs.

You’re going to want to make sure you remove all heat-sensitive items from the heat treatment area. The treatment area also needs to be sealed off to contain the heat and needs to last between 6-8 hours to ensure the heat penetrates all hiding spots.

Chemical treatments: when to use and how to apply:

If you’ve tried the above methods and still suspect you have a bed bug problem then your last resort would be to contact a professional fumigation service like VERM-TECH for bed bug eradication.

Chemical fumigation and professional fogging are the fastest and most effective methods to eradicate bed bugs effectively.

The advantage of using one of VERM-TECH’s highly-trained and experienced pest control operators is the safe application method for chemical treatments. Another advantage is that professional pest control chemicals have an active residual that lasts for months after the initial application. Their chemicals also have flushing agents designed to draw the bugs out of their nests and crevices.

Professional bed bug extermination: when to call the experts:

Bed bugs in any hospitality accommodation are the fastest way to kill that business reputation, so if you own a hotel, Airbnb, or B&B and suspect you have bed bugs, then do not hesitate to contact VERM-TECH, one of the best professional pest control and fumigation services in Cape Town.

In all honesty, if you receive one complaint from a client then it’s time to get professional help asap. VERM-TECH operators have years of experience when it comes to bed bug eradication and understand the severity and sensitive nature of this problem.

And don’t worry, they know how to be discreet when dealing with bugs in any hospitality establishment. Expect professional, discreet, friendly technicians to resolve your problem quickly without alerting any of your patrons.

This is one fast-track way to make sure you choose a reputable company that knows how to eradicate bed bugs seamlessly and smoothly, with lasting effect.