What's more horrifying than waking up with itchy bites and not finding the culprit?
Bedbugs are small insects that live on furniture or bedding, hiding in the bed frames, mattresses, clothing, and even behind pictures and loose wallpaper, according to the NHS. They feed on human blood and "can be quite difficult to spot", according to Bed Kingdom, a bedroom furniture retailer.
This causes "them to become more of a nuisance in your home and therefore harder to get rid of". The online retailer said: "Your bedroom is essentially your safe haven. It's the place where you can relax and unwind at the end of the day, but that can quickly change when you have unwanted guests like bedbugs."
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Bedbug bites usually don't cause other health issues, but they can be itchy for the week or so until they clear up. You can ease the itching by putting a cool, clean, damp cloth on the affected area, keeping the affected area clean, and not scratching to avoid getting an infection, according to the NHS.
Pharmacists can also provide antihistamines and mild steroid cream like hydrocortisone to reduce itchiness. The NHS recommends children under 10 and pregnant people seek advice from a doctor before using hydrocortisone cream.
To be sure you have bedbugs, and not other similar conditions like scabies, experts at Bed Kingdom put together a list of seven signs you might have a bedbug infestation, and they gave some tips on how to get rid of them.
A spokesperson from Bed Kingdom said: "Getting cosy in bed on an evening is something that many people look forward to at the end of the day, whether it's to chill out and watch your favourite TV series or perhaps to curl up with a gripping book.
"Unfortunately, this can be ruined when bed bugs take over your bedroom, so it's important to know what signs to look out for so that you can get back to relaxing quickly and to avoid a more complicated process of removing them."
Unusual smell
Is there a "musty scent lingering in your bedroom" despite no clear cause, like a pile of dirty clothes? Bedbugs emit alarm pheromones with a faint scent of raspberries, cilantro or almonds when they feel threatened. In severe bedbug cases, this smell mixes with the rusty odour of dead bugs and shed cell casings, according to Bed Kingdom.
Bites
Bedbugs leave itchy bites after feeding on blood, usually during the night. They appear on arms, hands and legs, usually in small clusters and also in single bites. These look red on white skin and may look purple on black or brown skin, according to the NHS.
These bites aren't usually dangerous, but some people can be allergic, people should seek help from a medical professional if they experience extreme itching, swelling, blisters or a fever, Bed Kingdom said.
Blood stains
Your blood can leak back out of a bedbug if you squash it in your sleep. If you spot small splotches of blood on your sheets or clothes, check for potential causes like a scab on your body. Bed Kingdom said: "If there's no visible cause of the blood, it's likely that these stains occurred from bedbugs."
Dark, brown marks
Bedbugs leave droppings the size of a pen top, a lot smaller than blood stains, on mattresses, sheets, headboards and even walls. These droppings also emit "a faint, rusty smell that contributes to the unusual odour altogether".
Eggs
Bedbug eggs can be hard to spot, as they are only around 1mm long – but they can be found by paying attention to anything that looks like small rice grains in your bed. They can be loosely stuck to different types of surfaces, typically the mattress seams and joints or behind the headboard.
Shell casings
While bedbugs are hard to catch, the shell casings they shed are easier to spot and an early sign of an infestation. Bedbugs shed several times in the lifespan of four to six months, leaving yellow, translucent shell cashing "in the seams, folds, and crevices of mattresses, or even other areas such as cracks in walls and furniture".
Live bedbugs
Spotting a live bedbug is "quite a challenge" as they're often hiding, but you're more likely to notice them with a severe infestation. Bedbug nymphs are 1mm before maturity, growing to roughly 5mm long. You're most likely to spot them around your bed and furniture.
How to remove them from your bedroom
Completely ridding your home of bedbugs is difficult, especially when the infestation is severe. Bedbugs are difficult to find and may be resistant to some insecticides, so the NHS recommends contact your local council or pest control service as it's unlikely you'll be able to get rid of them entirely yourself.
Bed Kingdom offered four steps you can take to help combat the infestation.
- Identify all areas where bedbugs are hiding - use a flashlight and a magnifying glass to inspect your bed, cushions, cracks in walls and furniture, loose wallpaper, the seam between wallpaper and the ceiling, and underneath decorations on your wall
- Wash all affected bedding and clothing on a hot wash - the NHS recommends doing this on a hot wash of 60C and tumble dry on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes, while Bed Kingdom also suggests placing anything that can't be washed in a plastic bag and leaving it in a freezer for three to four days
- Bedbug spray is typically safe to use on mattresses and furniture before vacuuming. It's not recommended to use an insecticide due to harmful chemicals found in some
- Clear your bedroom of rubbish and put it in the bin to make space to vacuum - use a vacuum on the entire floor, making sure to get all of the corners, using the small wand to vacuum furniture and cracks in the wall. Regular vacuuming helps you stop them early
The NHS recommends some additional steps for helping to prevent a bedbug infestation
- do not keep clutter around your bed
do not bring secondhand furniture indoors without carefully checking it first
carefully check luggage and clothing before taking it indoors if you've come from somewhere you know has bedbugs
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