As a leading pest control provider based in London and the South East, Integrum Services has noticed a bed bug boom over recent years.
From the Paris infestation in 2023 to studies showing a rise in bed bug callouts throughout the UK in 2025, it’s clear that these minuscule menaces are making their mark.
London is particularly susceptible to bed bug infestations due to its large population and various other factors.
Drawing on our experience carrying out bed bug control across London for many years, Integrum Services has put together this handy guide to bed bugs in London and what to do about them.
What Are Bed Bugs?
In the UK, the most common species of bed bug is Cimex lectularius, which is a small, oval-shaped insect measuring just 4 to 5mm when fully grown, which is about the size of an apple seed.
Adult bed bugs have flat bodies that can appear reddish-brown after a blood feed. There are 3 bed bug life stages, the first of which is bed bug eggs, which look like small yellowish-white grains of rice.
There are also young bed bugs, or nymphs, which look like adult bed bugs but are even smaller and harder to see. You might also see shed skins, as bed bugs moult multiple times as they mature.
If you have a large infestation, you might notice lots of black or red flecks on your bedding, down the side of mattresses or even on clothing. Severe infestations also cause a musty smell.
Bed bug bites are also a common sign of bed bugs, and are red welts that are usually found on exposed areas of skin on the neck, hands, face and feet. As a result of these itchy bites, you might also see blood spots on clothes or bed linen.
How Do Bed Bugs Spread Throughout London?
Bed bugs aren’t able to jump from person to person, like fleas can, but they are still incredibly mobile and can move from one place to another usually by being transported inside public transport seats, clothes, luggage or used furnishings. Some of the ways bed bugs can spread throughout London and other large cities include:
- Second Hand Furniture, Clothing Or Luggage: London is an expensive place to live, and many people buy second hand furnishings and other items to save cash. When purchasing used items, many Londoners just put them in their home immediately, without any cleaning, which can spread bed bugs.
- Public Transport: Bed bugs can hide inside seats on public transport, and then crawl inside your bags or clothes and be transported to your London home.
- Guests Or Visitors: Anyone entering your home for any reason could have bed bugs on their clothing, which could transfer to you or to furniture, carpets or other fabrics in your property.
- Crawling: If you live in a house of multiple occupancy or a flat, then bed bugs could crawl from an infested room into your space. They are small and can fit through even tiny cracks and crevices.
Why Are Bed Bugs More Of A Risk For Londoners?
Bed bug infestations can occur throughout the country. However, they’re particularly common in large, densely populated cities like London, because there are lots of people.
As bed bugs feed on human blood, they will thrive more in large cities like London, and breed more. Also, bed bugs often spread through public transport, such as trains, the London Underground or buses, because they like to hide deep inside the cushions, and then infest clothing or luggage.
This helps them to easily spread throughout the city and move into homes or business premises, where they can breed.
With lots of second hand furniture stores and markets where you can buy used furniture and clothes, it’s also easy to accidentally bring them into your space.
Once inside, these tiny pests will make their home in your bedding, mattress seams, bed frame and other furniture, such as sofas or armchairs. Once they lay eggs, they will multiply and go from a minor issue to a major bed bug infestation.
If bed bugs are targeted with DIY chemical treatments, which aren’t an effective method, then they can burrow deep into furniture, carpets or crevices.
Bed bugs can lie dormant for up to a year without food, even in low temperatures, so while you might think you’ve removed your bed bug problem, you may have to deal with it again in the future.
What To Do If You Suspect Bed Bugs In Your London Property
If you suspect that you have bed bugs in your London property, then you need to be proactive. Look out for common signs of bed bugs, such as bed bug bites, disturbed sleep, and a musty smell.
As mentioned, DIY bed bug treatments aren’t effective, which is why you need to work with a London-based bed bug exterminator like Integrum Services, who can tailor their range of bed bug eradication techniques to find the most effective method to beat your bed bug problem.
With a combination of insecticides and chemicals that aren’t available to the general public, bed bug heat treatment solutions and their extensive expertise expertise, we can ensure that your bed bug infestation is gone for good. While we aim to do as much as we can in one go, most bed bug problems will require multiple visits to kill all the pests and fully eradicate the problem. You can learn more about our bed bug treatments in our guide: How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs.
The Integrum Services team understands how challenging dealing with bed bugs can be, which is why we respond quickly to bed bug callouts throughout London, Surrey and the South East.
If you’re looking for experts in London bed bugs and a range of bed bug treatment options, contact us for a free, no-obligation quote on 0204 566 5522 or email us at [email protected].
