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
BPCA

BPCA urges vigilance on bed bugs, following France fears

Simon KingBy Simon King3 October 2023No Comments2 Mins Read
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Email

The British Pest Control Association said vigilance is key in tackling internationally-spreading bed bug infestations, says British Pest Control Association (BPCA).

Natalie Bungay, BPCA technical manager, said regular checks at home can help identify early signs of an infestation, while visual checks when travelling can help avoid accidentally bringing bed bugs home with you.

Ms Bungay said: “Bed bugs are travelling pests and love to migrate. They latch onto items such as luggage, clothing and second-hand furniture, and will be transported into your home that way. It’s how they can also end up on public transport or in public buildings such as cinemas, and unfortunately, how people can bring them home from holiday.”

While bed bugs are not particularly dangerous, they can be very distressing and difficult to deal with.

She continued: “Bed bugs need blood to reproduce and really do come out at night when you’re asleep. Some people react to the bites which can be very itchy, and there may be painful swelling. A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is also possible but rare. Bed bugs can harbour various pathogens, but transmission to humans has not been proven and is believed to be unlikely.”

Ms Bungay said that bed bugs can be hard to avoid, but there are a few things you can do to try and reduce the likelihood of taking them home with you.

“Make sure if you’re staying in a hotel, motel or bed and breakfast, that you double check the mattress and other soft furnishings for signs of bed bugs, especially before putting your luggage on the bed or chairs,” she said.

“And do the same with any second-hand furniture you’re buying; check for signs before taking it into your home. While bed bugs don’t discriminate between clean surroundings and dirty ones, they will be easier to spot and eradicate if you practice good housekeeping.”

Share. LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Previous ArticleBASF to phaseout Goliath Gel and Formidor in 2024
Next Article Rentokil Pest Control launches Bed Bug Dog Detect
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

Join BPCA’s Qualifications Framework working groups

BPCA to host online debate on behavioural resistance in rats and mice

Pelsis launches new durable, poison-free silverfish trap to support pest professionals tackle persistent infestations

Latest Stories

Join BPCA’s Qualifications Framework working groups

4 July 2025

BPCA to host online debate on behavioural resistance in rats and mice

3 July 2025

Pelsis launches new durable, poison-free silverfish trap to support pest professionals tackle persistent infestations

2 July 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.