Important Notice: The following information is provided for general educational purposes only. Rockypest does not offer bed bug inspection or treatment services.
Bed bugs are small parasitic insects that feed on human blood by piercing the skin.
They typically feed at night, often between 3am and 4am when people are in their deepest sleep.
Bed bugs do not live on humans and do not burrow into the skin. They are mobile, but only travel short distances to feed, so they’re usually found close to where people sleep.
4 to 6mm
Adult bed bug length
10 days
Typical egg hatching time
1 in 5
People bitten who show no reaction
What Bed Bugs Look Like
| Stage | Size | Colour |
|---|---|---|
| Egg | About 1mm | Cream, laid in hidden areas |
| Juvenile (nymph) | 1 to 5mm | Cream, turning red to blackish after feeding |
| Adult | 4 to 6mm, oval shaped | Dark reddish brown |
Adult females can lay up to 3 eggs a day.
Signs You May Have Bed Bugs
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Live Bugs or Cast Skins
Live bed bugs or the skins they shed as they grow are one of the clearest signs of an infestation.
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Eggs in Hidden Crevices
Tiny cream coloured eggs, around 1mm long, are often tucked into seams, folds, and cracks near where people sleep.
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Dark Spots on Bedding
Dark spots of excrement or blood on sheets, mattresses, or skirting boards are a common giveaway.
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Bite Marks in a Line
Bites often appear in distinctive lines on the shoulders and arms, though not everyone reacts to them.
Where Bed Bugs Hide
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Mattress Seams
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Bed Frames & Cabinets
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Behind Picture Frames & Wallpaper
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Luggage & Belongings
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Skirting Boards & Floorboards
Bed Bug Bites and Health Effects
Bed bug bites are generally more of a nuisance than a serious health risk.
Some people find the bite painful, while others react to the bed bug’s saliva with a localised allergic reaction.
Reactions can include redness, swelling, and wheals up to 20mm across, along with itching and burning.
These reactions are not usually considered a health risk. Avoid scratching, as this can lead to infection, and seek medical assistance if needed.
How Bed Bugs Spread
Bugs hide in luggage or belongings at an infested property
Items travel to a new home, hotel, or transport
Bugs settle in and start feeding at the new location
They walk short distances into adjoining rooms
They are more commonly found in low cost, short stay accommodation, but can turn up anywhere people sleep, including hotels, charter boats, trains, and buses.
Preventing Bed Bugs When You Travel
Inspect bedding, mattresses, and bedside furniture for signs of bed bugs when you arrive.
Consider spraying the exterior of your luggage with an aerosol insecticide before travelling, as this may kill or repel bed bugs that try to climb on.
Thoroughly check your luggage on arrival and again before you leave.
Preventing Bed Bugs at Home
Ask guests staying at your home whether they’ve noticed any unexplained insect bites, and help them check their belongings if they have.
Check second hand furniture carefully, especially bedroom pieces, before bringing it inside. Have it treated by a licensed pest management technician first if bed bugs are found.
Be cautious with furniture from verge collections, as it could be infested.
Vacuum regularly with a disposable dust bag to help remove adults, nymphs, and cast skins, though eggs are harder to remove this way.
Reducing Bed Bug Numbers Without Chemicals
| Method | How to Do It |
|---|---|
| Hot wash and dry | Wash infested linen in hot water, then tumble dry on high for at least 40 minutes. |
| Steam treatment | Use a steam iron on mattress seams and folds, and low vapour steam more broadly. |
| Thorough vacuuming | Vacuum carpet edges, skirting boards, and cracks and crevices, then seal the dust bag in plastic before disposal. |
| Wrap before moving items | Wrap infested items in plastic before removing them from a room to avoid spreading the infestation. |
About Chemical Treatments
A range of low toxicity products, including synthetic pyrethroids and carbamates, are available for indoor bed bug control.
Regular pesticides don’t kill bed bug eggs, so residual products tend to be more effective, as they kill immature bed bugs once eggs hatch.
Some products are only available to licensed pest management technicians. Always read the product label before purchase to confirm it’s suitable for bed bugs, and follow label instructions carefully. These products are designed for cracks and crevices, not for use on bedding or as space sprays.
When to Get Help
If you think you have a bed bug infestation, contact a licensed pest management technician. Delaying treatment can allow an infestation to spread, making it more difficult and costly to control.
A technician will thoroughly inspect the property, and follow up inspections with repeat treatments are often needed for complete control. The most effective approach usually combines chemical and non-chemical methods.
Rockypest does not provide bed bug inspection or treatment. If you’re dealing with another pest problem around your property, get in touch to find out how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rockypest treat bed bugs?
No. This page is provided for general information only. If you suspect an infestation, contact a licensed pest management technician who offers bed bug treatment.
How do I know if I have bed bugs?
Look for live bugs or cast skins, small cream coloured eggs, dark spots of excrement or blood on bedding, and bite marks that often appear in lines on the shoulders or arms.
Are bed bug bites dangerous?
Bed bug bites are generally more of a nuisance than a health risk. Reactions can include redness, swelling, and itching, but around 1 in 5 people bitten don’t react at all. Seek medical advice if a reaction becomes infected or concerning.
How do bed bugs spread between properties?
They travel in luggage, bags, and second hand furniture, and can walk short distances to adjoining rooms. This is how infestations commonly move between homes, accommodation, and even across countries.
Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?
Non-chemical steps like hot washing linen, steam treatment, and thorough vacuuming can help reduce numbers, but full eradication usually needs a licensed pest management technician, often with follow up treatments.