Bed bugs

I do not think anyone could pass judgement on you. Bed bugs are everyone's nightmare and, as I understand it, for many people bedbugs are the souvenir of a holiday you really enjoyed and brought back inadvertently in your luggage.

The received wisdom on getting rid of bed/mattress is that it must be securely wrapped and sealed in heavy duty plastic and that your local council's refuse department are then responsible for removing it.

The Refuse Department may also be able to offer help and advice with the sealing and wrapping. I used my local council to remove domestic appliances recently and while the rule was that the appliances had to be left roadside, if you were old or disabled the council workers would come into the house and even to upper storey flats to remove appliances for you. I know white appliances are a very different thing to a bed bug infested bed, but it illustrates the help your local council can give you if you are old or disabled.

I do not know what kind of bed you have, but if it has an upholstered base - as in a divan/ottoman, the whole bed would need to be disposed off, but if it is an old-fashioned style bed with a wooden or metal frame, then only the mattress needs to be disposed of.

I would not be afraid to ask a friend to help. Look at the way the pest people dress and either see if they will supply you with suitable protective clothing to wear, ask their advice about how to wear it and what to do afterwards. They are clearing bed bugs daily and know exactly how to make sure they do not take stray bedbugs home with them at the end of each day.

You could also speak to your local Age UK. Every branch has an Information and Advice line, they may know where you can access help.

That is a start, there may well be a GN member who has had a similar problem and can give you really good advice and help.

Where the heck do you think they have come from?
Do you think pest controller might wrap & carry outside for you, may have to pay extra.

Probably needs burning tbh.

M0nica

I do not think anyone could pass judgement on you. Bed bugs are everyone's nightmare and, as I understand it, for many people bedbugs are the souvenir of a holiday you really enjoyed and brought back inadvertently in your luggage.

The received wisdom on getting rid of bed/mattress is that it must be securely wrapped and sealed in heavy duty plastic and that your local council's refuse department are then responsible for removing it.

The Refuse Department may also be able to offer help and advice with the sealing and wrapping. I used my local council to remove domestic appliances recently and while the rule was that the appliances had to be left roadside, if you were old or disabled the council workers would come into the house and even to upper storey flats to remove appliances for you. I know white appliances are a very different thing to a bed bug infested bed, but it illustrates the help your local council can give you if you are old or disabled.

I do not know what kind of bed you have, but if it has an upholstered base - as in a divan/ottoman, the whole bed would need to be disposed off, but if it is an old-fashioned style bed with a wooden or metal frame, then only the mattress needs to be disposed of.

I would not be afraid to ask a friend to help. Look at the way the pest people dress and either see if they will supply you with suitable protective clothing to wear, ask their advice about how to wear it and what to do afterwards. They are clearing bed bugs daily and know exactly how to make sure they do not take stray bedbugs home with them at the end of each day.

You could also speak to your local Age UK. Every branch has an Information and Advice line, they may know where you can access help.

That is a start, there may well be a GN member who has had a similar problem and can give you really good advice and help.

The carpet will need to go too. Any picture frames, bedside cabinets need checking as they can hide in cracks, even light switches & behind loose wallpaper.
Sorry don’t mean to frighten you!

You can buy mattress bags for disposal online.

You will have to wrap and seal the mattress and label contaminated.

A private waste company should come and take it for a fee.