Bedbugs – harmless but unpleasant bloodsuckers
Bedbugs can be found in all countries and their number has increased six-fold here in Sweden and around the world since 2004. The reason for this rapid spread is primarily due to increased travel. Bedbugs do not spread any sicknesses, but are just unpleasant since they live by sucking human blood. If you have discovered pests in your home, you are required to report this directly to Anticimex. As a tenant, sanitization is free of charge.
This is how to recognise a bedbug
Bedbugs are 2.5-12 mm long, a round/oval shape, flat, and brown/grey/black. Bedbugs creep, they do not hop and they stay close to us humans, since humans are the host animal. Bedbugs can hide in cracks, in and around beds, behind skirting boards, picture frames, curtains and mirrors. The first thing that you recognise is their bite, it looks like a mosquito bite but itches more. The problem is that bedbugs are generally night creatures when they seek out your body heat and breath and hide during the day. Do you suspect that you have bedbugs? Don’t hesitate, contact Anticimex, the quicker the better, and we will do everything we can to ensure successful sanitization.
Bedbugs are common and spread by travel
Bedbugs are common all over the world and they spread through increased travel, they often follow you home in your suitcases and hand baggage. Bedbugs are not drawn to dirt, but they prefer a messy apartment with clothes and mattresses directly on the floor (it gives the bedbugs more holes to hide in). Remember that a messy house makes it more difficult to sanitize. You can find them in homes, hotels, in sleeping compartments in trains and on aeroplanes. Bedbugs can also be found in second-hand textiles, furniture and suitcases, so you should always be careful when buying second hand. Bedbugs can go into hibernation for up to a year and then suddenly waken to life when humans are close by. So be careful with your suitcase when you put it into storage if you have been abroad.
Tenants are responsible for reporting pest infections
As a tenant, you are responsible for reporting any pests you might find in your home. If you don’t report them, you increase the risk of further spreading and the problem will not go away. AF Bostäder’s aim is that anyone who reports such a problem should have assistance from Anticimex within a few days.
Free sanitization – this is the way
Our aim is that anyone who has this problem and reports it, will receive help from Anticimex within a week. However, getting rid of the pests takes time, and you must have patience. The time it takes to get rid of bedbugs varies, depending on how extensive the infestation is. Cooperation between AF Bostäder and the affected tenant is very important in order to ensure satisfactory sanitization. As your landlord, we will do everything we can to ensure that sanitization functions as well as possible, but the tenant must also assist. As an example, the tenant must wash all textiles according to instructions before sanitization is performed.
Anticimex’s technicians are trained and licensed by Socialstyrelsen (Health authority). The technicians apply a harmless, for humans and pets, silicon powder behind skirting boards, and an approved pesticide in cracks and on affected furniture. Bedbugs are shy and usually come out at night when it’s dark. The bedbugs must be lured into creeping into the pesticide, and they will only do this as long as there is a person living in the room, exhaling carbon dioxide and pheromones and releasing attracting odours. If you have bedbugs in your home, there is a great risk that they will follow along with you if you move to another living area. This is why we do not evacuate someone who has bedbugs.
This is how you make a report
- Ring to Anticimex Customer service on 0771-40 11 00 (opening times Mon-Tue 07.30-18.00, Fri 07.30-16.00).
- Tell them that you are a tenant of Stiftelsen AF Bostäder.
- State your name and your complete address (street and apartment number, e.g. Ulrikedalsvägen 8 A 1113).
- Describe the pest in as much detail as you can. On their homepage, Anticimex have detailed images that can help you identify the type of pest, refer to www.anticimex.se
Answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.