Advice please

[Tosca]

It turns out there's a huge and spreading population of bed bugs in London. Does anyone know of a reliable pest control firm in South London?

[SarahG]

Oh poor you! Don't try and do anything yourself, it can often make it worse. Contact these guys- http://www.bed-bugs.co.uk/ my parents used them (in cambridge!) and they were brilliant. They are a total menace and you need to get professional help ASAP. Wash sheets and clothes etc at 60 degrees to kill them for a start- anything cooler and they can survive.

My parents had them come out and get rid of the bugs, they also had some stuff frozen in battersea and haven't had a problem since. Just PLEASE don't try and do it yourself with sprays etc. they can often spread the problem and encourage the bugs to hide. They can survive 18months with no food so encouraging then to hide is the worst thing you want to do!

Good luck!

[Tosca]

Thank you very much - really helpful.

[Tosca]

Just one room as far as we know.

[malumbu]

Apparently they like dried semen. I jest not, although I did read this in the New Scientist over twenty years ago.

How fasicinating.

[womanofdulwich]

do you know how you got bed bugs in the first place?

[UncleBen]

Bedbugs are vile parasites. Unlike vermin they do not wander in off the street. Someone has brought them into your house via clothes, bed linen, mattress etc. Bedbugs are v similar to pubic lice. Are you a local B&B or hotel?

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

I believe suitcases are the number one culprit.

[Twirly]

I remember reading an article a while back about an epidemic of bed bugs in the US, particularly New York. I seem to recall it saying that they are often transmitted by people travelling - they pick them up there and unwittingly take them home with them. See here: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/oct/21/bedbugs-invaded-new-york

[hpsaucey]

Yep - trainlines and bus routes out of London and the tube..... I remember the guy who owns the company recommended above telling us NEVER to sit down on London's public transport - particularly at night time, which, of course, is when the little buggers come and and bite - esp if you've had a few too many to drink and are snoozing merrily away. They can tell you're asleep and are ready to bite.. .

We think our bedbug infestation a few years ago now came from my OH's office. He contracts and was sitting next to guy who'd apparently been itching for months and who thought he had a skin condition :,(

[JohnL]

horrible.

beginning to think - bring back DDT (joking). We used to put it everywhere as child.

Edit: just realised you can buy something like it - and it is really, really effective.

[womanofdulwich]

is that why some people insist on standing on buses and block the exits even when there are seats?