Close Menu
Pest MagazinePest Magazine
  • News
    • National Pest Awards
    • BPCA
    • NPTA
    • Companies
    • Local Authority
    • Natural England
    • HSE
    • People
    • Products
    • Best Practice
    • Brexit
    • COVID-19
  • Species
    • Rodents
    • Insects
    • Birds
    • Mammals
  • Magazines
    • June/July 2025
    • April / May 2025
    • Feb / March 2025
    • Dec 2024 / Jan 2025
    • Oct / Nov 2024
    • Aug / Sept 2024
  • Library
    • Inserts
    • Supplements
  • Professional Development
    • BASIS
    • Research
    • Stewardship
    • Training
  • Pest Test
  • Jobs
    • View All Jobs
  • Key Supporters
    • Bábolna Bio
    • Bell Laboratories
    • Pelsis
    • Envu
    • Lodi UK
    • PelGar International
    • Russell IPM
    • Syngenta
X (Twitter) LinkedIn
  • Sign-up for weekly news emails
  • Subscribe to Pest Magazine
  • About Us
    • Technical Advisory Board
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
X (Twitter) LinkedIn
Pest Test Log-In
Pest MagazinePest Magazine
  • News
    • National Pest Awards
    • BPCA
    • NPTA
    • Companies
    • Local Authority
    • Natural England
    • HSE
    • People
    • Products
    • Best Practice
    • Brexit
    • COVID-19
  • Species
    1. Rodents
    2. Insects
    3. Birds
    4. Mammals
    5. View All

    Helping a luxury car showroom eradicate an infestation and steer clear of rodents

    25 March 2024

    Case Study – Freeing a pig farm of a severe rodent infestation in just 10 days

    11 May 2023

    Chinese takeaway issues apology after video of rats and raw chicken emerges

    14 July 2021

    Republic of Ireland rodent callouts jump 35%

    25 June 2021

    13 confirmed sightings of yellow-legged hornets so far in 2025

    13 May 2025

    Red Spider Mites on the hunt for spaces to hibernate

    3 December 2024

    Rentokil encourages vigilance as wasp activity increases ahead of the early autumn nesting period

    25 September 2024

    Rentokil warns of a surge in biting insects as humid weather continues

    3 September 2024

    Worcester City Council increases budget to control gull numbers by £35,000

    26 October 2022

    BPCA urges householders and businesses to seek professional advice if birds are becoming a problem

    3 May 2022

    NatureScot restricts the use of general licences on Lochan Estate in Perthshire

    7 February 2022

    Natural Resources Wales confirms Welsh general licence extension until June 2022

    17 December 2021

    Conservation charity warns of need for joined-up approach and a fast-track to effective grey squirrel controls

    30 May 2025

    Squirrel charity welcomes new legislation on use of gene editing

    14 June 2022

    Ferrets to be removed as permitted target species for the DOC 250 spring trap

    13 April 2021

    Charity says planting of 30,000 hectares of trees must be matched by grey squirrel control

    10 February 2021

    Conservation charity warns of need for joined-up approach and a fast-track to effective grey squirrel controls

    30 May 2025

    13 confirmed sightings of yellow-legged hornets so far in 2025

    13 May 2025

    Red Spider Mites on the hunt for spaces to hibernate

    3 December 2024

    Rentokil encourages vigilance as wasp activity increases ahead of the early autumn nesting period

    25 September 2024
  • Magazines
    1. June/July 2025
    2. April / May 2025
    3. Feb / March 2025
    4. Dec 2024 / Jan 2025
    5. Oct / Nov 2024
    6. Aug / Sept 2024
    Featured

    Pest 99: June/July 2025

    By Simon King10 June 2025
    Recent

    Pest 99: June/July 2025

    10 June 2025

    Pest 98: April / May 2025

    8 April 2025

    Pest 97: February / March 2025

    12 February 2025
  • Library
    • Inserts
    • Supplements
  • Professional Development
    • BASIS
    • Research
    • Stewardship
    • Training
  • Pest Test
  • Jobs
    • View All Jobs
  • Key Supporters
    • Bábolna Bio
    • Bell Laboratories
    • Pelsis
    • Envu
    • Lodi UK
    • PelGar International
    • Russell IPM
    • Syngenta
Pest MagazinePest Magazine
News

BPCA offers advice in wake of bed bug scam arrests

Simon KingBy Simon King18 December 2023No Comments2 Mins Read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

British Pest Control Association (BPCA) is encouraging householders to consult a pest professional if they are worried about a possible infestation.

The advice follows arrests in France after two men were allegedly scamming elderly people into paying thousands of euros for bed bug treatments they didn’t need.

A rise in bed bug infestations in Paris and across France in recent months has sparked major concerns throughout the country and further afield.

Bed bug fears hit the headlines in the UK during October, with many BPCA member companies subsequently reporting a major surge in call out requests, although the majority did not require any action.

Rentokil reported an increase of 196% for bed bugs in October this year compared to the same month in 2022, with only 65% resulting in confirmed bed bug activity.

Natalie Bungay, technical compliance manager at BPCA, said: “Not every call out for bed bugs will result in a positive identification of the pest and increased media attention can often lead to a high number of false call outs.

“Raising awareness is important, as bed bugs can spread quickly so the more people know about them and how to spot the signs, the faster infestations can be dealt with by a pest professional.

“But unfortunately, excess reporting does seem to have caused an abundance of caution and worry, and that leaves people susceptible to unscrupulous scammers, like those arrested in France.

“Pest control in the UK isn’t licensed or a protected term like it is in other countries. Anyone can call themselves a pest controller.”

Share. LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Previous ArticleVergo spreads festive cheer at Turnham Academy
Next Article Killgerm’s Christmas video highlights the company’s offering
Simon King

With more than 25 years' experience in business-to-business publishing, Simon is editor of LBM titles Pest and OvertheCounter. Big fan of Manchester United.

Read Similar Stories

Killgerm hosts another successful “On the Farm Day” at Hurcott Farm

BPCA joins UK Business and Biodiversity Forum

First 5<25 initiative candidate completes he RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management training course

Latest Stories

Killgerm hosts another successful “On the Farm Day” at Hurcott Farm

1 July 2025

BPCA joins UK Business and Biodiversity Forum

1 July 2025

First 5<25 initiative candidate completes he RSPH Level 2 Award in Pest Management training course

30 June 2025
Key Supporters
© 2025 Lewis Business Media. All Rights Reserved.
Lewis Business Media, Suite A, Arun House, Office Village, River Way, Uckfield, TN22 1SL

Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions

  • National Pest Awards
  • OvertheCounter
  • Pet Business World

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.