Luton Borough Council has warned it had received a significant number of requests concerning bedbugs, amidst concerns raised about them in Paris and fears that the problem could spread to the UK. The council has provided guidance on its website that advises people how to prepare their homes for “treatment” and called for homeowners to be mindful that there were not “limitless resources” to tackle bedbugs. Although the council has not provided precise figures for the number of bedbug calls it has received, it has urged those wanting a visit to prepare themselves accordingly.
Bedbugs have become a significant issue in a variety of locations in France, including cinemas, schools, hospitals, and trains. Paris has seen the most significant increase in bedbug sightings in recent weeks, leading to national panic over their presence. Dee Patel, an entomologist, advised listeners of BBC Three Counties Radio that lavender deters bedbugs entirely because the oil masks their scent pattern, making it difficult for them to cope. Patel also advised that washing clothes at high temperatures, vacuuming regularly, and freezing sheets all help to combat the bugs.
The council said the successful treatment of bedbugs can be a lengthy process, and the council does not have limitless resources to deal with the problem. As a result, it is recommended that homeowners follow the council’s advice and take action, which includes stripping beds, placing bedcovers into sealed bags, and ideally storing them in a bath. In addition, wardrobes, drawers, bookcases, and all other furniture should be emptied and their contents placed in sealed bags, while pictures and posters should be taken off walls to permit inspection.
The council urged anyone with a story to contact them, in addition to noting that successful treatment could take time, while a consultation could be requested on its website. Additionally, the council requested that residents of the borough be prepared to answer pest control officer calls, and that the recommended measures be taken in advance.
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