Bed Bugs in the UK 2026: Signs, Bites, Prevention & How to Get Rid of Them

Bed bugs are surging across the UK. In October 2026, The Times reported that Britain has hit "peak bedbug", with infestations soaring in homes, hotels, trains and offices — and London is the country's hotspot. Here is how to spot them, treat bites, and get rid of them properly.

How Big Is the Problem in 2026?

• One London borough dealt with 40% more infestations in the first half of 2026 than the same period in 2025 — with June 2026 its busiest month since before the pandemic (reported by Metro)
• Monitoring firm Spotta reported UK bed bug activity up 44% year on year, and London hotel detections 75% higher than Paris (October 2026)
• Pest control firm JG Pest Control says callouts are at their highest level for years — averaging ten a day in 2026, mostly to homes, but also care homes, student halls and hotels
• Rentokil reports bed bug enquiries from hotels and other commercial operators up more than 40% over two years

Two things are driving the rise, say pest specialists: more travel (bed bugs move in luggage) and insecticide resistance — many bed bugs now survive common chemical sprays, especially in London.

Signs of Bed Bugs (NHS)

The NHS lists these classic signs:

• Bites on skin exposed while sleeping — face, neck and arms — often in a line or grouped together, raised and itchy
• Spots of blood on your bedding
• Small brown spots on bedding or furniture (bedbug droppings)
• The bugs themselves: adults are about 5mm long, dark yellow, red or brown

They hide in bed frames, mattresses, furniture, clothing, behind pictures and under loose wallpaper. On white skin bites look red or pink; on black or brown skin they may look brown, red or purple and can be harder to see. Some people react strongly, with very itchy bites and painful swelling; a severe allergic reaction is possible but rare.

How to Treat Bed Bug Bites

The NHS says bites usually clear up on their own in about a week. To help:

• Put something cool, like a clean damp cloth, on the bites to ease itching and swelling
• Keep the area clean and do not scratch — scratching can cause infection
• A pharmacist can advise on mild steroid cream (hydrocortisone) or antihistamines if itching keeps you awake — children under 10 and pregnant women should ask a doctor first
• See a GP if bites look infected, or call 111 / seek urgent help for any severe allergic reaction

Why Sprays Often Fail — and What Actually Works

Pest controllers increasingly report bed bugs surviving standard sprays. If the infestation is established, DIY treatment usually fails because the bugs hide deep in cracks and can survive for months without feeding. What works:

• Wash bedding and clothing at 60°C, and tumble-dry on high heat
• Vacuum mattresses, bed frames and carpets thoroughly, then empty the vacuum outside
• Heat treatment — professionals heat whole rooms above 50°C for several hours; bed bugs cannot survive it, and it defeats insecticide resistance
• Professional pest control — with follow-up visits; many local councils offer a service
• Do not move infested furniture into other rooms — that spreads them

Prevention: Travel and Everyday Checks

• In hotels, check the mattress seams, headboard and bed frame before unpacking
• Keep suitcases off the bed and away from the bedroom when you return home
• Inspect second-hand furniture carefully before bringing it indoors
• Check bedding regularly — early infestations are far easier (and cheaper) to treat

And remember: bed bugs have nothing to do with cleanliness. As Spotta's researchers put it, they travel with people and belongings — which is why five-star hotels get them too.

A Note for Elderly Relatives and Care Settings

Older people may not notice bites quickly, and a disturbed night's sleep hits them harder. If you care for an elderly parent — at home or visiting them in the UK — add a bedding check to the routine: look for the blood spots and brown specks described above, and act fast if you find them. Trained home carers can build this kind of check into regular visits, along with laundry at the right temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• NHS — Bedbugs: signs, treating bites and getting rid of them: nhs.uk/conditions/bedbugs
• The Times (13 Oct 2026) — "Britain hits 'peak bedbug' as train and office infestations soar": thetimes.com
• Spotta (16 Oct 2026) — London hotel bed bug detections 75% higher than Paris; UK activity up 44%: press release