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Bed bugs

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supernanauna1 Fri 10-Jul-26 07:03:18

I am in the middle of an absolute disaster so desperately need some advice.

My husband's bed is badly infested with bed bugs and there is a pest control company coming tomorrow to spray the whole house. The problem is that I'm 79, my husband is 81 and basically useless so all the work comes down to me. I cannot ask friends to help in case they carry the bugs home.

All clothing etc has to be removed, washed then kept in bags until the second spraying is done after a week.

The very big problem is getting rid of the bed. It seems the council and the rubbish removal companies won't touch it - it's very obvious that it's been infested. So how in heaven's name do I get rid of it?

I'm in a complete panic at the thoughts of all I have to do today before they come tomorrow, but the bed is by far the biggest problem. Has anybody any advice please?

The pest control people cannot suggest a solution except to get a friend to help, but I know I certainly wouldn't want to deal with a bed that's badly infested, so can't expect anybody else to.

I'm desperate. Any advice please? And no judgement please - I'm in a bad enough state as it is.

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M0nica Fri 10-Jul-26 07:34:46

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.

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