Victorian cottage in Berkhamsted cleared of a long-standing bed bug problem
- Property
- 2-bedroom Victorian cottage
- Severity
- Severe
- Rooms treated
- 2
- Time on site
- 7 hours
A couple living in a characterful Berkhamsted cottage near the canal had been battling bed bugs for nearly a year. The thick walls, original floorboards and multiple chimneys provided endless hiding spots that chemical treatments couldn't reach. A whole-house heat treatment finally broke the cycle.
Before treatment
- Live bugs in both bedrooms, with eggs found inside original sash-window frames
- Faecal spotting along exposed floorboard gaps and inside a disused chimney breast
- Couple had tried three separate chemical treatments over ten months
- Bugs were retreating into wall cavities and chimney voids after each spray
After treatment
- Whole cottage cleared in one intensive heat treatment day
- Original sash windows and floorboards undamaged by the process
- Couple reported no bites from night one and full sleep restored within a week
- 60-day guarantee issued with zero callbacks required
How we carried out the treatment
- 1
Detailed survey
Mapped harbourage in sash frames, floorboard gaps, chimney breast and wall cavities. Confirmed Cimex lectularius in both bedrooms and the upstairs landing.
- 2
Preparation
Homeowners removed artwork, candles and antiques. We liaised with their insurance to confirm heat treatment was covered under their policy.
- 3
Heat treatment
Four industrial heaters with targeted circulation into chimney voids and floor cavities. Maintained 55–57°C across both floors for over four hours with 12 remote probes.
- 4
Aftercare
Supplied bespoke draught-proofing advice to reduce future harbourage. Fitted mattress encasements and booked 14-day and 30-day inspections.
"Three other companies tried chemicals and failed. Heat treatment was the only thing that worked in this old cottage. They understood the building and planned around it perfectly."
Frequently asked questions
- Will heat treatment damage original sash windows or floorboards?
- No. In this Berkhamsted HP4 cottage the original sash windows, exposed floorboards and chimney breast were all undamaged. We use 12 remote probes to maintain safe, controlled temperatures.
- Why did three chemical treatments fail in this cottage?
- Old buildings have thick walls, chimneys and floor cavities that sprays cannot penetrate. Each spray pushed the bugs deeper into voids. Heat fills every cavity and kills eggs as well as adults in one session.
- Is heat treatment covered by home insurance?
- Some policies cover pest treatment. We provided the documentation this couple needed to confirm coverage with their insurer before work began.
- How long does a whole-cottage treatment in Berkhamsted take?
- This two-bedroom Victorian cottage took seven hours. Older properties often need extended hold times because of thick walls and multiple chimneys, but it is still completed in a single day.
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