John and Donna Wilkins operate the Bribane Pest Control and Sunshine Coast Pest Control branches for 1300 Pest Control. The story below is a true account of a Bed Bug job they were called in for about 2 weeks ago. Initially the problem seemed small and controllable, it was only after moving house and the bed bugs followed that they decided to call on help from the experts. This story is one of many Bed Bug incidences that have been reported to us. The number of cases in Australian homes and accomodation is on the increase.
Bed bugs were once a common pest world wide & their recent resurgence is quite a surprise to many people.
It is estimated that bed bugs have cost the Australian hospitality industry $100 million annually!
Bed bugs will hitch a ride from your hotel room to your home. Staying in a hotel with a large number of stars won’t protect you; infestations are being reported in all types of accommodation, from five star to backpackers.
The holiday that became a nightmare….
Bed bugs came home, probably just a few insects on the suitcase.
Numbers grew, until the home became so infested with bed bugs that the family felt they had no way to escape. They threw away almost all of their belongings; their beds, linen, clothes & a couch.
In desperation they moved to a new home in an attempt to escape the agonising itching.
But soon after moving they realised that they had bought bed bugs with them to their new home.
1300 Pest Control were called in and arranged a thorough inspection of the home, located many bed bug harbourages & treated the infestation using mainly heat & steam for a fraction of the price that moving house & replacing clothes & bedding cost. This time the family will be sure that they have escaped the holiday souvenir that bad dreams are made of.
Bed bugs cannot live on people as they don’t have a body part that they can use to clasp & hold on with, instead they seek shelter after feeding in dark areas close to where people sleep. Nymphs can survive a couple of months, adults more than a year without a blood meal. It is usually more than a month after someone leaves their bed bugs behind that complaints are received.
Take a look at our Bed Bug Checklist page to find out about ways of indentifying Bed Bugs and easy prevention measures you can to take to stop their spread into your home.
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