I have bites, are they bed bugs? People react very differently to bites. A linear arrangement of bites can be an indication of bed bugs, but this is not enough to be sure.
What to do if you suspect bed bugs? Look for clear signs of a bed bug infestation. Live animals, moulting remains, eggs and faecal stains. The Nattaro Scout pheromone trap is an easy way to confirm a suspicion.
Where do bedbugs hide? Mainly around the head of the bed. Seams of mattresses, corners and cracks in the bed frame and between the band and slatted frame are favourite hiding places.
Can I combat an infestation myself? In the case of light infestations, rapid and thorough control has a good chance of success. The bed bug control checklist guides you through the individual steps. If the infestation is severe, a pest controller should be called in.
What should be considered with insect sprays? Due to the heavy use of insecticides in recent decades, bedbugs have developed resistance to various chemical insecticides. Insect sprays from the supermarket (often with pyrethrum as the active ingredient) therefore often work poorly and there is a risk of driving the bedbugs into other rooms or flats.
The room has been treated by a pest controller, what next? The success of the treatment can be checked with Nattaro Scout. It should not be possible to catch any more bedbugs. The bed should be fitted with Nattaro Safe tape to prevent bedbugs from returning from other rooms/flats.
How are bed bugs introduced? Usually as stowaways in bags, clothes or furniture. They are often brought in when returning from holiday.
How quickly do bed bugs multiply? In good conditions, it takes 12 days for a bedbug to hatch from an egg. After about a month, the animals are sexually mature, whereupon the female bedbugs lay up to 300 eggs in the course of their 18-month life.
Do bedbugs transmit diseases to humans? No, to date there is no evidence of bed bug-borne diseases in humans (source).
Can bed bugs fly? Bed bugs do not have functional wings and therefore cannot fly, only crawl.
Can bed bugs tolerate cold? If the temperature drops rapidly (–18°C), the bed bugs die within days. It is therefore possible to place items suspected of being infested in the freezer in order to free them.
Can bedbugs tolerate heat? If laundry is washed at 60°C, the bed bugs and their eggs will die. If the infestation is severe, the whole room is heated for several hours using special ovens to kill the entire population.
How long does a bed bug survive without food? At cold temperatures, the bedbug’s metabolism slows down and it can survive for up to a year without food. At room temperature, they only survive two to three months without a blood meal.
Can bed bugs reproduce without mating? No, fertilisation is necessary for reproduction. This means that males and females must meet, they can also be siblings. Females can store a certain amount of semen and thus fertilise the eggs for weeks.
Who pays for bedbug control? In principle, the landlord is obliged to keep the flat fit for use. You can find more details on this topic at hausinfo or the tenants’ association, which has also produced an informative leaflet.
How do I prevent a bedbug infestation? Bedbugs are often brought in via clothing, luggage or furniture. So be on your guard and check your luggage when you return from a trip. The Nattaro Safe bed bug tape offers additional long-term protection. It can be attached to the bed, is odourless and is effective for at least twelve months.