Insects that feast on human blood while victims sleep at night may sound like something from a horror movie, but many people in the area are living this nightmare as bug infestations in Bath and north east Somerset have rocketed by 1,300 per cent in the past five years.

Pest controller Paul Munday said he had seen the problem reach epidemic levels in the past five years alone.

He said: "We used to get two or three calls a year, now we get at least five a week."

The rise in cases of the brown wingless bug has been blamed on an increase in second-hand furniture sales and air travel, which both allow the bugs to pass from one place to another.

At about seven millimetres long, the beasts are visible to the naked eye and live in the crevices and folds of mattresses, sofas and sheets, emerging at night to feed.

But contrary to popular belief, a bed bug infestation does not mean a home is dirty – they are attracted by body heat, not dirt.

Mr Mundy, aged 51, who is pest control supervisor for Bath and North East Somerset Council, said: "What I want to get across to people is that there is no shame in having a pest infestation.

"So many people are embarrassed but it can happen anywhere.

"Pests don't pick people because of their social standing.

"The best advice is to ring us as soon as possible because it is easier to treat in the early stages."

Facing rats, mice and wasps on a daily basis might not be everyone's idea of fun but the father of two from Chilcompton describes it as the perfect job.

For the past 10 years, Mr Mundy has worked with his team of exterminators dealing with more than 3,500 calls about rats, 350 calls about mice and 100 commercial contracts to stamp out pests each year.

The council has a duty to deal with complaints about mice and rats and B&NES will get rid of them for free.

They also deal with wasps' nests, bed bugs and other infestations for a fee.

Many people living in Midsomer Norton will be familiar with the rat problem in the High Street, where people discarding food waste into the river has caused an increase in the numbers.

Mr Mundy said both at home and on the streets, it is best is to ensure all food is disposed of correctly and not placed where rats can sniff out scraps.

He also advised weekend revellers not to throw leftover takeaways on the ground.

He said the department was currently working closely with Wessex Water, which owns the sewers, to bait rats five times a year, to deal with the problem.

Advice about pests is available from B&NES Council by calling 01225 477563 or visiting its website, www.bathnes.gov.uk and choosing the pest control pages on the A-Z index.