Bedbugs and Managing Bedbug Infestations

Overview

Bedbugs have returned to British residential life in numbers that would have surprised a public health officer of the 1980s, and the settings most exposed are precisely those where people live close together, arrive with all their belongings in a few bags, and depend on staff to notice what they cannot see or cannot say. Care homes, refuges, hostels, supported living schemes, extra-care housing and short-stay assessment units share a common vulnerability: a constant flow of people, bedding and soft furnishings through rooms that are warm, occupied at night and full of the narrow crevices in which a flattened insect the size of an apple seed can pass unnoticed for weeks. Learners will also develop an understanding of how to respond to infestations in a safe and responsible manner while reducing the risk of further spread. The course emphasises the importance of following organisational procedures and avoiding inappropriate treatment methods that could create additional health or safety risks

Why this Training Matters for your Organisation

Who Should Attend

• Improve staff awareness of bedbugs and the signs of infestation
• Support early identification and prompt reporting
• Reduce the risk of bedbugs spreading within or between premises
• Improve understanding of appropriate prevention and control measures
• Help staff respond appropriately when an infestation is suspected
• Promote safer cleaning and environmental management practices
• Support organisational health, safety and infection-prevention procedures
• Reduce unnecessary disruption to residents, service users, guests and staff

Certification, CPD, and Records

LCPS provides downloadable certificates, dashboards, and corporate reporting that offer evidence of workplace training. This supports visibility over completion and assists in maintaining trustworthy staff development records. The course is CPD Certified, contributing to verifiable professional development for the workforce while also facilitating employers to establish the standard of training delivered

Course Content and Learning Outcomes

• Describe the appearance, life cycle and behaviour of the common bedbug, and explain why its biology dictates the way infestations must be detected and treated.
• Distinguish reliable physical evidence of bedbug activity from unreliable evidence, and explain why bites alone are not a diagnosis.
• Carry out a systematic visual inspection of a resident's sleeping area and immediate surroundings, and record the findings in a way that is useful to a professional pest controller.
• Take correct immediate action on discovering suspected bedbugs, including containment measures, reporting and the actions that must be avoided because they spread an infestation.
• Explain the principles of integrated pest management and describe the respective roles of your organisation and of a professional pest control contractor.
• Handle laundry, personal belongings and waste from an affected room safely, using correct temperatures, bagging and disposal practice.
• Apply appropriate precautions to protect yourself, your own home and other households you visit, including correct use of personal protective equipment.
• Respond to the distress, stigma, consent and capacity issues that arise around infestation, and recognise when a safeguarding concern should be raised.

Duration and Delivery

The course is offered online and can be completed in nearly 2 to 3 hours. Its short, flexible structure makes it appropriate for staff training without substantial distraction to daily activities. There is the possibility for the course to be modified in accordance with the client, including amendments to its name.

Assessment and Completion

Students complete a 20-question multiple-choice evaluation at the conclusion of the course. A pass mark of 80% is needed, and marks are automatically provided with quick feedback. There is no maximum on how many times the assessment can be repeated to accomplish a pass, with no extra charge.

Team and Company Bookings

Enrol an Individual / Book for your Team

• Enrol now for individual access.
• Book for your team to support organisation-wide Bedbugs and Managing Bedbug Infestations.