No, it’s not just you. There are a lot more bedbugs around in the UK than there used to be. In fact, apparently there’s a full-blown bedbug epidemic currently sweeping the country.
Since the 1990s, there has been a slow rise of bedbug infestations in UK cities. The most common type is Cimex lectularious and, according to pest control experts Rentokil, numbers are up massively this year. Apparently, year-on-year, there’s been a 65 percent increase in bedbug infestations in the UK.
So what’s to blame for this massive increase? Well, experts suggest multiple factors.
Firstly, the cost of living crisis has meant more people are buying secondhand furniture from resale marketplaces. Apparently, a lot of the time old bed frames and under-maintained furniture carry these unsuspecting bloodsucking bugs in their nooks and crevices.
Another factor is the resurgence of travel since the pandemic. Speaking with the Independent, Professor James Logan from the London School of Tropical Medicine said that the pesky critters can latch onto clothing and luggage, set up base in a hotel bed and breed up to thousands of eggs within a week. And if you’re wildly grossed out by now, there’s more. Apparently the bugs come out to play especially during the balmy summer months, as their reproductive cycles are shortened and they can lay eggs at a faster speed.
How do you know if you have been bitten? Bedbug bites leave red, swollen and itchy rashes on the skin, according to the NHS. Bits usually clear up on their own in a week or so, but keeping the affected area clean and cool may help with swelling and itch.
If you suspect you have a bedbug issue, you can get in touch with your local council, or get advice from professional pest control technicians that are accredited by the British Pest Control Association.
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