Bed bugs: Smelling an acidic odour or a smell of marzipan could indicate an infesta

Swarm of BEDBUGS crawl all over bus seat

When bed bugs attach themselves to people or clothing, often in infested public places, they can be inadvertently introduced into homes. People can spot signs of an infestation in a number of ways, including by certain odours.

Smells are often one of the first signs of an infestation.

Bedbugs have a sweet, musty scent while mice and rats have a smell like musty urine/ammonia.

If you notice any of these smells, you should check your home immediately for other signs.

The odour of bed bugs is described as musty and sweet and is comparable to the smell of cilantro.

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Other people think they smell sweet like berries.

People regularly disagree because the scent is subjective.

Bugs that give off odour have to cluster in large numbers for you to be able to smell them.

You can expect to see other signs of infestation before you notice that they smell.

Bed bugs are one of many bugs that give off odour, said Bedbug Insider.

The site added: “However, you might disagree with others as to what they smell like.

“People compare the smell to all sorts of different things, like mothballs, rotten wood and damp, and even raspberries.

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Many bugs emit odours called alarm pheromones, and bed bugs are one of them said Dodson Pest Control.

The site added: “If a large group of bed bugs is disturbed, such as when someone plops themselves on a bed that they have made their home, they may emit these pheromones.

“Bed bug odours can also come from faecal matter.

“Interestingly, bed bugs can smell different to different people.

“Many people report smelling coriander, but another common description is the scent of spoiled raspberries.

“Others report a strong acidic scent or that of almonds or marzipan.

“If you notice an unusual smell in an otherwise clean room, it may be time to call in a professional.

“If you do not smell anything, don’t be concerned, as not everyone can detect an infestation through scent.”

How to get rid

According to pest control body Terminix, make your bed an island to help get rid of bed bugs fast by moving it at least six inches away from the wall.

The insect experts also advise washing and drying all bed linens including pillowcases, sheets, comforters and mattress pads at the highest settings allowed by the manufacturer.

“Seal in plastic bags once clean,” it advises.

“Some professional exterminators use portable devices to raise the temperature of a room to a lethal temperature,” explains Mayo Clinic.

According to the health body, all stages of bedbugs can be killed at 50 degrees Celsius.

There are two roads to go down: chemical treatments and non-chemical treatments.

Chemical treatments are called insecticides – substances designed to kill insects.

If you are attempting to eradicate an infestation without professional help, it is advisable to steer clear of chemical treatments, however.

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