Unusual smell that could mean you have bed bugs and how to banish them
Searches for 'bed bugs' have risen by 838% in the UK.
According to experts households should be cleaning their mattresses every six months to help prevent a build-up of bacteria, germs and, the words nobody wants to hear, bed bugs. In the last seven days, online searches for 'bed bugs' have risen by 838% in the UK.
So, with Brits scrambling to spot and prevent infestations, bedroom furnishings experts are warning homeowners to watch for an unusual almond-like smell which could be a telltale sign of a significant bed bug infestation. Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on human blood and are typically found around beds to stay close to their food source.
Norman Smith, Director and owner of Invicta Environmental, a pest control company said this distinctive odour is often missed by people looking for more obvious signs like bites or spotting the insects themselves.
He said: "When bed bugs have established themselves in large numbers, they release pheromones that create a musty, sweet almond smell. Many people don't connect this smell with bedbugs and might search for other causes like damp."
Bed bugs are believed to be masters of hiding and can be very difficult to spot.
Norman added: "Most people think they'll easily see bed bugs crawling around, but they're incredibly sneaky insects. Their flat bodies allow them to hide in the tiniest cracks and seams of mattresses, bed frames, and furniture."
The small insects have evolved to be particularly evasive, only emerging to feed when humans are deeply asleep and less likely to disturb them.
Norman said: "Bed bugs typically feed for two to five minutes before retreating back to their hiding places. This usually happens between 2am and 5am when people are in their deepest sleep stage."
The bedroom expert also highlighted another unusual sign - rust-colored stains on sheets and mattresses which aren't always connected to bed bugs.
According to Norman, people often mistake these small brownish stains for dirt or other marks, but they're actually bed bug droppings.
The dark brown or rust-colored spots can stain bed linen and mattresses, and are a major red flag that bed bugs have moved in.
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He added that finding blood spots on sheets is another significant indicator.
Saying: "After feeding, bedbugs can leave small blood spots behind. These aren't usually from the bite itself, but from the bedbug being squashed if you roll over in your sleep."
Unusual bite patterns can also help identify a bed bug problem.
Norman said: "If you notice bites in a straight line or clustered in a small area, this could be bed bugs. It's sometimes called the 'breakfast, lunch, and dinner' pattern because if a bed bug gets disturbed while feeding, it will move a short distance and try again."
The bedroom furnishings specialist stressed that prompt action is critical for tackling bed bug problems as bed bugs reproduce extremely rapidly - a female can lay approximately 200 eggs in just five days. This means a small problem can quickly become a major infestation if not addressed immediately.
For those concerned about a possible infestation, Norman advised: "Strip the bed completely and check all seams and piping of the mattress. Don't forget to inspect the bed frame, particularly in corners and joints. Bed bugs can hide in the smallest cracks - as thin as a credit card."
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Daily Record
5 hours ago
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Unusual smell that could mean you have bed bugs and how to banish them
Searches for 'bed bugs' have risen by 838% in the UK. According to experts households should be cleaning their mattresses every six months to help prevent a build-up of bacteria, germs and, the words nobody wants to hear, bed bugs. In the last seven days, online searches for 'bed bugs' have risen by 838% in the UK. So, with Brits scrambling to spot and prevent infestations, bedroom furnishings experts are warning homeowners to watch for an unusual almond-like smell which could be a telltale sign of a significant bed bug infestation. Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on human blood and are typically found around beds to stay close to their food source. Norman Smith, Director and owner of Invicta Environmental, a pest control company said this distinctive odour is often missed by people looking for more obvious signs like bites or spotting the insects themselves. He said: "When bed bugs have established themselves in large numbers, they release pheromones that create a musty, sweet almond smell. Many people don't connect this smell with bedbugs and might search for other causes like damp." Bed bugs are believed to be masters of hiding and can be very difficult to spot. Norman added: "Most people think they'll easily see bed bugs crawling around, but they're incredibly sneaky insects. Their flat bodies allow them to hide in the tiniest cracks and seams of mattresses, bed frames, and furniture." The small insects have evolved to be particularly evasive, only emerging to feed when humans are deeply asleep and less likely to disturb them. Norman said: "Bed bugs typically feed for two to five minutes before retreating back to their hiding places. This usually happens between 2am and 5am when people are in their deepest sleep stage." The bedroom expert also highlighted another unusual sign - rust-colored stains on sheets and mattresses which aren't always connected to bed bugs. According to Norman, people often mistake these small brownish stains for dirt or other marks, but they're actually bed bug droppings. The dark brown or rust-colored spots can stain bed linen and mattresses, and are a major red flag that bed bugs have moved in. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. He added that finding blood spots on sheets is another significant indicator. Saying: "After feeding, bedbugs can leave small blood spots behind. These aren't usually from the bite itself, but from the bedbug being squashed if you roll over in your sleep." Unusual bite patterns can also help identify a bed bug problem. Norman said: "If you notice bites in a straight line or clustered in a small area, this could be bed bugs. It's sometimes called the 'breakfast, lunch, and dinner' pattern because if a bed bug gets disturbed while feeding, it will move a short distance and try again." The bedroom furnishings specialist stressed that prompt action is critical for tackling bed bug problems as bed bugs reproduce extremely rapidly - a female can lay approximately 200 eggs in just five days. This means a small problem can quickly become a major infestation if not addressed immediately. For those concerned about a possible infestation, Norman advised: "Strip the bed completely and check all seams and piping of the mattress. Don't forget to inspect the bed frame, particularly in corners and joints. Bed bugs can hide in the smallest cracks - as thin as a credit card."
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You should always see a GP if you notice blood in your stool, experience sudden weight loss or unusual tiredness, or develop abnormal stomach cramps. Essentially, if you notice any change in bowel habits, stool or colour, it's probably nothing to worry about, but getting any discomfort checked is very important. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
