Insects

Bed Bugs
The bed bug is found worldwide, and throughout Britain. It still occurs surprisingly frequently and its close association with humans means that they can cause substantial nuisance through their blood feeding habits. They occur more in urban/town areas than rural. They feed at night on human hosts when they are sleeping. Adult bed bugs are 4-5 mm in length, wingless and mahogany brown in colour. They can live for several months. Female bedbugs lay eggs throughout their lives and can produce 2-3 per day, approx 400-500 eggs during her lifetime.
Nymphs emerge from the eggs after about 10 days at temps of 22c and these are tiny versions of the adult. They go through five nymphal changes before they reach adult size.

Where do Bed Bugs live?
Bed bugs have well defined resting areas in which many different life stages of bugs are found. They hide in furniture and structural cracks and crevices, behind and in picture frames, in and around mattresses, etc. They give off a slight musty smell, sometimes described as 'like almonds'.

Why keep Bed Bugs under control?
Bedbugs are not known to be frequent carriers of disease and their importance is related to the unpleasant effects of their bites. If an infestation is high there can be a risk of anaemia to their hosts, although this is rare. The nuisance and itching caused by the bites and possibility of secondary infection is more common. Other domestic animals and birds may also be attacked.

Treatment
If you suspect an infestation contact our pest control section for advice. A thorough inspection should be made to determine the extent and source of the infestation. (i.e. may have been brought in via second hand furniture or in a holiday suitcase). All harbourages should be treated with a residual insecticide. A very thorough treatment is vital as harbourages are difficult to detect.

Treatment is carried out by Pest Control view fees and charges.

Cockroaches
Cockroaches are undoubtedly amongst the most noxious of pests and have lived alongside man for hundreds of years.There are over 4000 different species of cockroach worldwide, but mainly two common types found in Britain.
These are the German Cockroach (Steam Fly), and the Oriental Cockroach (Black Beetle). They are large insects with long antennae and large, bristly legs. Female cockroaches produce egg cases. The eggs hatch out inside the case and nymphal cockroaches emerge from them. Nymphs go through several moults before they reach adult size.
German and Oriental cockroaches have wings but don't fly well. Cockroaches are omnivorous. In addition to conventional foodstuffs, they will feed on paper, vomit, sputum, human and animal faeces, nail parings and other cockroaches!

Where do Cockroaches live?
During the day they live in cracks and crevices and harbourages, often grouped together. They give off an odour to attract other cockroaches of the same species. They are all nocturnally active and scavange over a wide area.

Why keep Cockroaches under control?
Cockroaches foul their environment with faeces or castings, regurgitated food, and taint materials with their smell. They can carry diseases such as dysentery, gastro-enteritis, tuberculosis and typhoid, which they transport from dirty areas to food areas. Some people may suffer allergic reactions to cockroach excrement and skin casts developing rhinitis or dermititis. Their presence can cause great distress.

Treatment
Prevention is the best treatment. Good hygiene practices are essential. Cover food sources and seal cracks and crevices. Cockroach infestations can be difficult to treat. The extent of the infestation should be determined using sticky traps and the species of cockroach identified. Most treatments will rely on the comprehensive use of residual insecticides. Contact our pest control section for advice. Treatment is carried out out by Pest Control view fees and charges.

For further information please contact:

Environmental Health - Pest Control
Surrey Heath House
Knoll Road, Camberley
Surrey GU15 3HD

Tel: 01276 707125
environmental.health@surreyheath.gov.uk