Bed bugs have been increasing across the UK for over a decade, and Scotland is no exception. Aberdeen, Dundee, Perth, and Stirling have all seen a rise in reported infestations, driven by increased travel, second-hand furniture sales, and the bugs' growing resistance to some insecticides. They are not a sign of poor hygiene. They are a sign of bad luck, and they need professional treatment to eliminate.

Why bed bugs are so difficult to deal with

Bed bugs are small, flat, and expert at hiding in the narrowest of gaps. They can survive for months without feeding. Their eggs are sticky and resistant to most insecticides. A single surviving female can restart an infestation from scratch. These characteristics make them one of the most challenging pests to eliminate, and one of the most important to treat thoroughly the first time.

Over-the-counter sprays rarely penetrate the harbourage sites where bed bugs hide. They may kill exposed adults but leave eggs and hidden individuals unaffected. Incomplete treatment often results in a temporary reduction in biting followed by a full resurgence within weeks.

The signs of a bed bug infestation

The most common first sign is unexplained bites, typically appearing in lines or clusters on exposed skin. Other signs to look for include:

• Dark brown or black spots on mattress seams, bed frames, and nearby walls. These are bed bug excrement.
• Rust-coloured blood smears on sheets or pillowcases.
• Pale, translucent shed skins left behind as nymphs moult.
• A faint, sweet, musty odour in heavily infested rooms.
• Live bugs in mattress seams, behind headboards, or inside electrical sockets.

How Pest King treats bed bugs

Our treatment begins with a thorough inspection of the affected room and any adjacent rooms. Bed bugs spread readily through wall cavities and under doors, so limiting the inspection to a single room often misses the full extent of an infestation.

We apply a residual insecticide to all identified harbourage sites: mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, skirting boards, behind electrical sockets, and any cracks or crevices in the room. A follow-up visit is included to treat any newly hatched nymphs that were protected as eggs during the first treatment.

We will advise you on preparation before the treatment, including washing and heat-drying all bedding and clothing, and what to do in the days following treatment to support its effectiveness.

Where do bed bugs come from?

Bed bugs do not fly or jump. They travel by hitchhiking on luggage, clothing, and second-hand furniture. Hotels, hostels, student accommodation, and holiday lets are common sources. They can also spread between flats in a shared building through wall cavities, under doors, and along pipework routes.

If you have recently stayed away from home, purchased second-hand furniture, or had guests staying, and then started noticing bites, bed bugs should be high on your list of suspects. Early treatment is significantly more straightforward than dealing with a well-established infestation.