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Bed Bugs
Adults
are 5mm long, reddish brown in colour with well developed antennae. The
principal host is man, though other warm-blooded animals can be
parasitized. Any household can be invaded by bed bugs, and as they
cannot fly, they must either crawl or be passively transported in
clothing, luggage, furniture or any other object that can be used as a
harbourage. Possible sources may be from areas of high population
density such as hostels, hotels and holiday camps. Other sources may be
from old bird nests in lofts and eaves.
Normally found in bedrooms, near to where the host
sleeps, they will hide away in cracks and crevices by day and emerge at
night for feeding.
Control measures include location of the source of
infestation and its extent. It will be necessary to treat the premises
thoroughly with suitable insecticides which should be undertaken by a
professional pest control company, as the detection and treatment of bed
bug hiding places is a job which requires experience
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Fleas
Normally
the cat or dog flea 2-3.25mm long. The adult is brownish in colour, body
streamlined and covered with backward directed bristles. They have well
developed hind legs for jumping.
Adult fleas live exclusively as parasites of warm blooded
animals. They will survive on any hosts blood and will normally be in
the resting or sleeping area of the host, e.g. in a dog or cat basket.
Fleas can be the vectors of disease and a source of severe irritation.
If left undisturbed in a vacant property they will become dormant and
await a source of warmth and vibration before emerging out for a blood
feed.
Regularly treating pet bedding and their sleeping
quarters will help to control outbreaks of flea infestations, as will
thorough vacuuming with a machine with an effective filter. (Remember to
change the bag!)
