Sleep Tight, and Don't Let the Bedbugs Bite!

We’ve all heard Bedbugs in the news recently but what are they and what can we do to prevent them?

With an influx of Bedbugs being found in Paris and warnings in the news about an increase of them in the UK, Bedbugs are small insects that are most often found in mattresses but can also be found in upholstery, picture frames and other small creases and crevices.

As they are only quite small you may not notice the bugs themselves straight away, but you will likely notice small bites on your skin and small blood spots on your bed sheets.

What can you do to help prevent them?

Wash bedding and clothes regularly on a hot wash and tumble dry on a hot setting if possible.
Clean and vacuum your property and mattress frequently, empty your vacuum quickly as they can live in your vacuum and escape quite easily.
Keep your bed and surroundings clear of clutter.
Check and clean all second-hand furniture thoroughly before bringing it in to your home.
Don’t take clothes or luggage into your home if you have been somewhere with bedbugs.

If you a bitten by a bedbug, what can you do to treat it? Bedbug bites normally clear up on their own in a week or so but here are some things you can do to help:

Try not to scratch the affected area to avoid infection.
Keep your skin clean.
Put something cool such as a damp cloth on the affected area to help with itching and/or swelling.
If itching is unbearable, you may consider taking an antihistamine to help, speak to your pharmacist for more advice.