Drastic bedbug increase in Bracknell, pest controller says

Bedbugs are dark yellow, red or brown mites which are smaller than a grain of rice

A pest controller has reported a "drastic increase" in the number of callouts over bedbugs in a town.

Grant Wood from Woodrush Pest Control in Bracknell, Berkshire said the company saw a 25% increase in calls about the mites in 2022, and they were now "absolutely everywhere".

It follows concerns over recent soaring infestations of the bugs in Paris.

Experts said the rise goes back several years, with people beginning to travel more after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Wood said: "Just this week alone I've booked in four confirmed bed bug treatments.

"I've spoken to other pest controllers and they've agreed there's a drastic increase."

Although often uncomfortable and itchy, bedbug bites are not typically dangerous.

But the pest controller, who has more than 20 years of experience, said it can be very difficult to stop the creatures from spreading.

He said: "When lockdown was on there [were] less people moving around, so bedbugs were more centralised where people were staying.

"If you go on holiday and they're in the hotels, they can get in your clothes and suitcases - you only need to pick up one or two and within a few weeks you've got an infestation going on."

The exterminator said people have bedbugs for three or four weeks before they realise.

By that time, he finds them difficult to get rid of, as they often embed themselves in nooks and crannies, like in plug sockets and behind picture frames.

"The females can lay between two and seven eggs a day - they stick to your clothes, the children go to school, and they just spread," he added.

How to get rid of bedbugs

It can be difficult but there are steps that can be taken, including:

• Washing contaminated bedding and clothing on a hot wash and tumble dry on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes

• Put the clothing or bedding in a plastic bag and put in the freezer for three or four days

• Clean the house regularly - bed bugs can be found in both clean and dirty places, but regular cleaning can help to spot them

Mr Wood said bedbugs were "totally nocturnal insects", adding: "They come out at about three to four in the morning when you're asleep, attracted by your carbon dioxide when you're breathing."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted Public Protection Partnership, which runs pest control services for Bracknell Forest Council, for comment.

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