A discreet but stubborn pest
Bed bugs are small nocturnal insects, 5 to 7 mm as adults, that feed on human blood while you sleep. Invisible by day, they hide in mattresses, bed bases and cracks in walls. In the Chamonix valley, the flow of visitors through chalets, hotels and holiday rentals helps them spread.
Warning signs
- Bites when you wake up, often in a line or small groups, on arms, legs, back or neck. They itch and form small red bumps.
- Marks on bedding: small black dots (droppings) or blood stains on sheets and mattress.
- An unusual smell, sweet and unpleasant, in heavy infestations.
- Eggs and shed skins: tiny white eggs and translucent skins, often in mattress seams.
Where do they hide?
- Mattress seams and folds
- Bed base and headboard
- Cracks in walls and skirting boards
- Behind picture frames and electrical sockets
Why act fast?
A small presence becomes a major infestation within weeks. Bed bugs never go away on their own and resist consumer products. Do not move your mattress to another room: you risk spreading the infestation.
I offer an accurate diagnosis and two types of treatment, chemical or thermal. All the details on the bed bug treatment page.