What Are Bed Bugs and How to Get Rid of Them

• How big are bed bugs? – Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, roughly 4-7 mm long.
• Oval-shaped and flat – Their bodies are flat and brown before feeding, but they enlarge and turn reddish-brown after consuming blood;
• Colour – Depending on when they last fed, their colour might vary from light brown to reddish-brown.
• Without wings – Bed bugs, in contrast to several other pests, are unable to fly or jump and must instead crawl;
• Visible to the human eye – They are large enough to be seen without the need for a magnifying glass, despite their small size.

Many infestations go undetected until bed bugs begin biting because of their small size and hiding skills.

Bed bugs are really good at hitchhiking. Sticking to clothes, furniture, and even books allows them to travel from one location to another without being detected. The most popular places where bed bugs come from are:

• Hotels & Airbnbs – One of the most popular locations for bed bugs to thrive. While they wait for their next host to arrive, they hide in headboards, beds, and carpets.
• Public transport & waiting areas – Buses, trains, airlines, and even taxis have been known to harbour bed bugs. They adhere to fabric seats and are easily transferred to your bags or clothes.
• Second-hand furniture – Bed bugs might enter your home if you purchase used couches, mattresses, or wooden furniture without first inspecting it.
• Workplaces, schools & public buildings – Bed bugs can occasionally be found in communal areas with lots of fabric seating, such as workplaces, theatres, and libraries.
• Visiting an infested home – Bed bugs can crawl into luggage or clothing when you visit someone with an infestation.

Get Rid of the Bed Bugs for Good!

• Blood stains – It’s possible that you have bed bugs if you see small blood spots on your sheets or pyjamas. A bed bug often leaves these marks after being squashed or when they bite and leave a small wound. The spots are usually rust or dark red, and they show up where you sleep;
• Dark spots or faecal stains – Think of them as tiny ink dots left by bed bugs. They are little droppings consisting of digested blood, which appear black or dark brown. You might see them on your bedding, mattress seams, or even walls and furnishings near the bed. If you attempt to wipe them with a damp towel, they may smear like a marker stain;
• Shed skins and eggshells – As bed bugs grow, they shed their exoskeletons several times. These shed skins are translucent, light brown, and seem like bed bugs, yet they are hollow. They are around 1 mm long, pearly white, and are frequently found in bunches, hiding in cracks and crevices.
• Musty odour – Bed bugs give off a sweet, musty smell that is like rotten raspberries or coriander when there are a lot of them. Bed bugs use pheromones, which give off this smell, to talk to each other.

You should do more research if you see even one indication. Early detection of bed bugs can help avoid a full-blown infestation as they breed quickly.

Bed bug bites can look different, but most of the time, they are:

• Red and swollen, and the middle is often darker;
• Arranged in groups or lines. Bed bug bites usually show up in a zigzag or straight pattern, while mosquito bites tend to be spread out.
• Itchy and red. The itching can be mild to severe, based on how your body reacts to it;
• Found on skin that is exposed – arms, legs, neck, and face are common places to get bitten.

Bed bug bites don’t bother some people at all, which makes it even harder to find an infestation.

Although they are not harmful, bed bug bites can be extremely annoying. To ease discomfort and itching:

• It is advised to wash the region with soap and water.
• To lessen swelling and irritation, apply hydrocortisone or antihistamine creams directly.
• Resist scratching, it might lead to skin issues.
• Use a cold compress. Ice packs can reduce redness and swelling.

If you experience a severe allergic reaction, such as breathing difficulties or significant swelling, get medical attention immediately.

Bed Bug Control Can Help You!

For bed bugs, a quick look at your bed will not be sufficient. Should you believe an infestation exists, you will have to inspect carefully and methodically. Bed bugs do not only reside on mattresses; you should search other places where they could be lurking.

A proper bed bug inspection involves:

• Knowing where to look – Bed bugs prefer cracks, seams, and hidden spaces near their host;
• Using the right tools – A flashlight and a magnifying glass can help uncover them;
• Understanding the signs – Look for live bugs, eggs, faecal spots, and shed skins.

Start with the most obvious place: your mattress, pillows, and sheets. Bed bugs hide in seams, folds, and crevices, so check these areas closely. Here’s how:

• Remove all bedding – Strip the bed down to the bare mattress;
• Check the mattress seams and edges – Use a flashlight to examine the piping, stitching, and any folds;
• Inspect the mattress tag – Bed bugs often hide behind the tag or in the small openings along its edge;
• Look underneath the mattress – Turn it over and check the bottom side for faecal stains or bugs;
• Examine your sheets and pillowcases – Check for small blood spots, dark faecal stains, or shed skins.

If you see tiny black dots, shed exoskeletons, or actual bugs crawling, bed bugs have likely infested your bed.

Bed bugs love wooden and upholstered bed frames. They squeeze into joints, screw holes, and cracks, making them difficult to detect.

• Use a flashlight to inspect the entire frame, especially where the joints meet;
• Check behind and underneath the headboard, as bed bugs often hide close to your head;
• Tap the frame gently – If bed bugs are inside, you might see tiny insects scurry out.

Bed bugs don’t just infest beds. They also hide in chairs, sofas, and other upholstered furniture. If you sit on a couch regularly, bed bugs may take up residence there.

• Check between couch cushions and under the fabric folds;
• Inspecting wooden furniture joints, such as dressers, nightstands, and bookshelves;
• Look underneath chairs and sofas, especially if they have fabric bottoms.

If you’ve ever purchased second-hand furniture, do a thorough check before bringing it inside, as used items can harbour hidden bed bugs.

In severe infestations, bed bugs spread beyond beds and furniture. They can crawl along baseboards, into electrical outlets, and even behind wallpaper.

• Shine a flashlight along carpet edges and baseboards;
• Remove switch plates and check inside electrical outlets (only if safe to do so);
• Look behind peeling wallpaper or loose wall coverings;
• Inspect curtain folds and edges, as bed bugs may hide in fabric.

If you’ve recently travelled or stayed in a hotel, bed bugs could be hiding in your luggage. These pests latch onto clothes and bags, making travel one of the most common ways people bring them home.

• Check suitcase seams and zippers for live bugs or eggs;
• Inspect clothing inside luggage for tiny black specks or bite marks on fabric;
• Wash all travel clothes on high heat (60°C/140°F) as a precaution.

Since mattresses are one of their favourite hiding spots, treating them properly is crucial. Here’s how:

• Vacuum thoroughly – Use a strong vacuum with a crevice tool to clean all seams, edges, and stitching;
• Use a mattress encasement – A special bedbug-proof cover seals them inside, preventing new bites and stopping them from escaping;
• Apply heat treatment – Washing bedding at 60°C (140°F) or using a steam cleaner kills bed bugs and their eggs;

Use bed bug sprays or powders – Insecticides like diatomaceous earth can help, but they must be applied carefully.

If the infestation has spread beyond your mattress, a more aggressive approach is necessary:

• Wash and dry all bedding, clothes, and curtains on high heat – Bed bugs die at temperatures above 50°C (122°F);
• Vacuum carpets, furniture, and cracks in the walls – Bed bugs hide in tiny gaps, so a deep clean is essential;
• Apply insecticides – Bed bug sprays, powders, and traps can help, but they must be used carefully and consistently.

Book Bed Bug Control With Us

To prevent bed bugs from entering your house:

• Make use of mattress and pillow encasements – These covers with zippers keep bed bugs out of your bedding;
• Regularly vacuum – Keep a constant eye on the furnishings, carpets, and floor cracks;
• Seal cracks and crevices – Electrical outlets, baseboards, and walls can all harbour bed bugs, so block any openings in your property;
• Be careful when purchasing used furniture – Before bringing secondhand sofas, chairs, and mattresses inside, make sure they are in good condition.

Bed bug infections are more common in hotels and public transportation. While visiting a new place:

• Before settling in, inspect the bed. Keep your bag off the floor and check for bed bugs on the headboard, linens and mattress seams. 
• Either use a baggage rack or put your suitcase in the lavatory, away from mattresses and rugs;
• When you get home, wash your clothing right away. Kill any possible hitchhikers with high heat;
• Use hard-cased luggage, this will make it harder for bedbugs to attach themselves to it.

It is still possible for bed bugs to enter your home despite your best efforts. Take prompt action if you suspect an infestation to prevent its spread.

• Bed bugs are little blood-feeding insects that hide in mattresses, furniture, and gaps in the wall.
• They spread while hitch-hiking on clothing, luggage, and second-hand furniture.
• Bites occur in clusters or lines on exposed skin and can be itchy or irritated.
• If you suspect an infestation, get expert pest control for a sure outcome.
• Inspect hotel rooms and be careful when purchasing used products to avoid bed bugs.