A pest management professional has warned of a marked increase in bed bug infestations across Oxford’s shared accommodation sector as the busiest season nears.
The Bed Bug Queen, a business operated by Sarah Spratt, documented a significant uptick in bed bug cases throughout Oxford—commonly referred to as the City of Dreaming Spires—particularly within houses in multiple occupation.
These parasitic insects are small, flightless organisms roughly the size of an apple pip that subsist exclusively on blood from humans and other mammals with warm blood.
They take refuge in furnishings, especially along the edges of mattresses, which explains their popular name.
The pest control expert has accumulated approximately seven years in this sector, providing services to customers across London, the Home Counties and Oxfordshire.
However, in recent months, Oxford has become her principal region of activity.
At 58 years old, she noted that Oxford in particular has become a major hotspot. She has dealt with more cases there than anywhere else, even more than London, and considers it quite remarkable.
Her figures indicate roughly 40 percent of her workload during the past six months has come from the city itself or its surrounding areas, with halls of residence and student housing proving particularly susceptible.
She observed that bed bugs may spread more quickly through communal housing, but they do not discriminate.
She added that she has attended both individual homes and HMOs, though the latter causes considerably more concern since shared living arrangements mean the insects are far more likely to spread throughout the whole property.
Research conducted by landlord insurance specialists Just Landlords identified Oxford as a significant hub for houses in multiple occupation, derived from freedom of information requests sent to councils across the country.
The information showed Oxford placed second nationwide for yearly HMO licence applications at 2,458, exceeding Bristol’s 1,491 but falling substantially below Edinburgh’s 5,158.
With summer—the period when these pests cause the most trouble—approaching, the specialist offered advice on the correct response methods.
She set out that three core rules exist. First, avoid using any retail sprays, fogging equipment, or deterrents such as essential oils.
These items rarely eradicate the problem and may actually exacerbate it.
She continued that second, refrain from taking belongings out of infested rooms. Do not throw away bedding unless it is completely covered and sealed to stop the insects spreading elsewhere.
She explained that third, do not abandon infested areas. Relocating to another room or the guest bedroom means they will find you within about a month.
She highlighted that household vacuum cleaners constitute the most effective weapon available, able to substantially reduce numbers when used correctly.
She noted that this approach is termed mechanical extraction within the industry.
She further stated that however, the sprays sold to consumers are watered-down versions of professional formulations and are actually fuelling increasing resistance within bed bug populations.