With the festive travel season around the corner, Rentokil Pest Control is warning the public to brace themselves for an ever-increasing number of festive bed bug cases.
Rentokil Pest Control’s latest data shows callouts for bed bug infestations in the UK increased by 62% between Q2 and Q3 2025. This follows several high-profile cases in recent years – such as the spread of bed bugs from Paris to London in 2023 – across airports, public transport and shared accommodation.
But even more worrying for festive travellers is the revelation that the number of cases in December alone has skyrocketed 164% between 2022 and 2024.
As millions of people travel, visit family, and stay in hotels or spare rooms over the festive period, the risk of a bed bug infestation increases. These tiny, flat, apple seed sized hitchhikers can easily sneak into luggage and clothing.
Once inside a home, bed bugs hide in mattresses, bed frames, bedside furniture and even cracks as thin as a credit card. Because they reproduce quickly and are adept at avoiding detection, a single female bed bug can rapidly lead to a large infestation – which are notoriously challenging to get rid of without professional help.
This heightened risk makes it all the more important that Brits identify infestations early and act swiftly to prevent further spread, ignoring popular myths like the risk of heated blankets or hot water bottles exposing infestations. In reality, our body heat and CO2 alone is enough to stimulate female bed bug laying.
When travelling over the Christmas break, the spread of bed bugs can be minimised by:
- Inspecting mattresses for signs of an infestation: Look out for dark stains or small blood spots on bedding, a sweet unpleasant odour and shed skins or live insects;
- Keeping luggage off the floor; and
- Washing clothes on a hot wash cycle after travel.
Paul Blackhurst, head of Technical Academy at Rentokil Pest Control, said: “Bed bugs can quickly spread when travel peaks, and our data shows they are an increasing concern at this time of year.
“While they are small and often hard to detect, the impact of an infestation can be significant for households. Early awareness is key, and we encourage anyone who is concerned to seek professional support promptly. With the right treatment, bed bugs can be eliminated effectively, helping people enjoy a more comfortable and stress-free festive season.”
