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Environmental Health
Lewes District Council
Southover House
Southover Road
Lewes
East Sussex
BN7 1AB
Tel: 01273 484354
ehealth@lewes.gov.uk
Minicom 01273 484488
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Bugs, Flees & Lice
Advice on detecting and treating infestations from bugs, fleas and lice.
Bed bugs
Bed bugs are round flat insects of a rich reddish brown colour that cannot fly. They must either crawl or be passively transported in clothing, luggage and furniture.
The female bed bug lays her eggs in cracks and crevices in the vicinity of the host. The eggs are covered with glue that cements them firmly in position.
Bed bugs go through five nymphal stages where at each stage they require a full meal of blood before it proceeds to the next stage. In temperate climates bed bugs reach their peak numbers towards early autumn.
They do not carry disease but their blood feeding can cause severe irritation in some people, resulting in loss of sleep, lack of energy and listlessness, particularly in children.
Infestation can be due to poor housing conditions or brought in on luggage or old furniture
Treatment
The treatment involves the property being sprayed or dusted with a broad-spectrum residual insecticide.
To help with treatment clear floor space. Vacuum the rooms and empty the cleaner outside placing contents in a sealed bin bag. Wash linen in hot water, strip beds and remove rubbish.
Fleas
Cat or dog fleas are rare now except in third-world countries. They can be brought in homes by pets, people, second-hand furniture.
The adults may feed on different animal sources but larvae require conditions offered by wall-to-wall carpeting and central heating. Eggs are laid on carpets or fabrics and hatch into larvae then pupate.
If conditions are favourable the eggs will hatch into adults. This takes about two weeks in mild weather. Eggs can lie dormant for up to 18 months, usually in empty properties.
Treatment
The treatment involves the property being sprayed or dusted with a broad-spectrum residual insecticide. This lasts for two weeks. The property can remain occupied but treated areas should not be touched.
To help with treatment clear floor space. Vacuum the rooms and empty the cleaner outside placing contents in a sealed bin bag.
Pets must be put on an effective flea programme available over the counter or from vets. The odd bite may still occur during the two week treatment phase. This is young adults hatching and possibly biting before being affected by pesticide.
Booklice
Booklice are found indoors and are very small insects with soft bodies, cream to greyish or light brown in colour.
They lay sticky bluish eggs that are relatively large and can become cemented to the material on which they are laid. They live on fungi that grow on the surface of books, woodwork, paper, plaster and leather.
They can be common in newly-built houses during the time the plaster is drying out and there is a general dampness.
To help prevention, keep buildings dry and well ventilated will help to prevent infestations.
To treat, booklice are susceptible to a wide variety of insecticides.
Head lice
Head lice are small, six-legged wingless insects, pin-head size when they hatch, less than match-head size when fully grown and grey/brown in colour.
They are difficult to detect in dry hair even when the head is closely inspected. They very often cause itching, but this is not always the case, particularly when recently arrived on the head.
Head lice cannot fly, jump or swim, but spread by clambering from head to head. Anyone with hair can catch them. Children who have head to head contact, either at school or during play, are most commonly affected.
Head lice are not fussy about hair length or condition. Clean hair is therefore no protection, although regular hair washing and combing sessions offer a good opportunity to detect head lice and arrange treatment if discovered.
If contracted, ask your doctor for advice.
