Bed Bugs exterminator needed

[newnx]

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone here can give me advice - I've recently moved into a flat in the area and have been getting bites since. Never in a million years would I have thought that I'd have bed bugs but it is now becoming a very likely possibility (though all my furniture are/were new....I have heard that they can live in skirting boards, floors, etc, waiting for new victims).

Anyone have had this issue and can recommend a good exterminators? One that is not too pricey as because its pretty impossible to pin point the 'source' of the infestation, I am having to foot the bill eventhough it could have already been in the flat before I moved in.

thank you,

mia

[Herne Hill Guest]

I thought that I had these a few years ago and got stupidly obsessed on Google. It turned out that I had only dust mites after having my windows changed and dust raised.

If you look in the creases around the edge of your mattress you will see dirt and droppings if you have them.

I hope for your sake it's just fleas as another pest. You can get rid of them but it's a process and you need to sleep there during treatment in order to act as bait.

Good luck.

[citylover]

Poor you! My friend had to deal with this in a flat she'd bought, her council had a dedicated department for pests, not sure if all councils do, you pay of course.

[Herne Hill Guest]

If you do have them and the previous owner knew, they should pay for treatment.

Absolutely insist.

Council a good bet, they mostly charge per room.

[newnx]

hi all,

thank you for the kind messages. i've done a bit of research and found that the council does have a special department for pests. I'd have to pay of course but having gotten quotes from commercial company, they seem to offer the best value for money and I'm hoping that, seeing as they work for the council, that they'd be better.

I spoke to my landlord and unfortunately he's denying any knowledge of the infestation. which i'm not surprised really. he said that if it is from the flat, he will pay but everyone i've spoken to says that they cannot say for certain where the infestation started so it'll just be my word against his i'm afraid :( but yes! will definitely be insisting till i'm blue in the face!

i have also looked into products that i can buy and use myself (bed bug foggers and sprays, etc) but as it's a problem that gets worse the longer it is left untreated - I am tempted to go straight to the professionals so that I can sleep easy at night!

again, thank you all for the comments! wish me luck

mia

[Pugwash]

There are many instances of bed bugs in Southwark - in my line of work, we come across infestations quite regularly. Most of the time they are 'living' in furniture - especially mattresses and chairs. From what I can gather, to irradiate them usually involves a couple of treatments and the home owner is advised not to go into the property for several hours because of the chemicals used

On theory of the increase in bed bugs has been suggested that Southwark has a high proportion of rented property especially in the private sector which is predominately furnished and with tenancies usually 6 or 12 months, there is a great turnover of residents.

I know of a sheltered housing scheme, where new residents moving in have their existing furniture checked over before the move to prevent bugs being spread into the SHU.

[Ms Blueberry]

A big recommendation for John Price here: http://www.bed-bug-experts.co.uk/

Most bed bug extermination demands complicated prep work and repeat visits. This company makes one visit and no serious prep needed - much easier.

The tenants have reported that it worked - no more bugs. Hideous beasts!