Bed bugs are a common problem for homeowners across Australia.
Their small size and nocturnal nature make them tough to spot, and once they establish themselves in your home, getting rid of them can be a challenge.
However, identifying the presence of bed bugs early can save you from a full-blown infestation.
If you think you might have bed bugs, understanding how to detect them and what steps to take is crucial.
In this article, we’ll explore the signs of a bed bug infestation, where they hide, how to identify bed bug bites, and what to do if you suspect an infestation.
Let’s get straight to the point
Bed bugs are small, blood-feeding insects that hide in mattresses, furniture, and small crevices.
Key signs of infestation include bite marks, bloodstains on bedding, dark faecal spots, shed skins, and a musty odour in severe cases.
To inspect, and check bedding, bed frames, and nearby furniture. Prevent infestations by inspecting second-hand items, vacuuming regularly, and using protective covers.
DIY methods like vacuuming and laundering may help, but professional pest control is often needed for effective treatment.
Early detection is essential to avoid a widespread infestation, and timely action can protect your home and health.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small, flat, wingless insects that feed exclusively on the blood of humans and animals. They are typically reddish-brown and range in size from 1 to 5 millimetres.
Bed bugs are nocturnal, which means they usually come out at night to feed, making it difficult to spot them during the day.
Hiding Places of Bed Bugs
Where Do Bed Bugs Hide?
Bed bugs are experts at hiding. Their flat bodies allow them to squeeze into tiny cracks and crevices. The most common hiding spots are:
- Mattresses and bed frames – Bed bugs often hide in seams, under buttons, and along the piping of mattresses.
- Box springs and headboards – These are common areas for bed bugs because they provide easy access to you while you sleep.
- Second-hand furniture – Bed bugs can hitch a ride on used furniture, making it important to inspect any second-hand items before bringing them into your home.
- Cracks in walls or floors – Bed bugs can squeeze into the smallest spaces, even electrical outlets.
How Do Bed Bugs Spread?
Bed bugs don’t build nests like other insects, but they tend to gather in groups in their hiding spots.
They spread by travelling from room to room or by hitching a ride on luggage, clothing, or used furniture.
This is why it’s essential to detect an infestation early—before they have a chance to spread throughout your home or to someone else’s.
Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation
Bed Bug Bites
One of the most common signs of a bed bug infestation is bite marks. Bed bugs typically bite exposed areas of skin while you’re sleeping, such as your arms, legs, neck, and face.
Bed bug bites often appear in clusters or lines, known as “breakfast, lunch, and dinner” patterns. They can cause itchy red welts, but it’s important to note that not everyone reacts to bed bug bites.
Bloodstains on Bedding
Another sign of bed bugs is the presence of bloodstains on your sheets or pillowcases. This can occur when you accidentally crush a bed bug after it has fed, or from the bites themselves if they continue to bleed slightly after the insect has finished feeding.
Faecal Traces
Bed bugs leave behind small, dark brown or black faecal spots, usually near their hiding places.
These spots are actually digested blood and can be found on bedding, mattresses, bed frames, or walls. Bed bug faecal matter has a musty odour, which can add to the unpleasant smell of a growing infestation.
Shed Skins and Eggs
As bed bugs grow, they shed their skins. Finding these discarded skins or small, white bed bug eggs is a strong indication that you have an infestation.
The eggs are tiny, about 1 millimetre in size, and are often found in the same areas where adult bed bugs hide.
Unpleasant Odour
In large infestations, you might notice a musty, sweet odour. This smell comes from the pheromones bed bugs release.
However, this is typically a sign of a severe infestation, as the smell of a small number of bed bugs is usually too faint to detect.
How to Inspect for Bed Bugs
If you suspect you have bed bugs, it’s important to inspect your home thoroughly. Here’s what you can do:
Check Your Bedding
Remove all sheets, blankets, and pillowcases, and carefully inspect the mattress and box spring. Pay close attention to the seams, edges, and underneath the mattress. Look for live bugs, blood spots, or faecal marks.
Inspect the Bed Frame and Headboard
Bed bugs often hide in the cracks and joints of the bed frame and headboard. Use a flashlight to inspect these areas, as bed bugs can hide in very small crevices.
Look at Other Furniture
Don’t forget to inspect other furniture in your bedroom or living room, especially if it’s upholstered. Bed bugs can hide in sofas, chairs, and carpet edges.
Check Nearby Areas
Bed bugs can spread to adjacent rooms or apartments. Inspect any cracks in the walls, behind wall outlets, and even in curtains or picture frames.
Preventing Bed Bugs
Be Cautious with Second-hand Items
Bed bugs are often brought into homes on second-hand furniture, luggage, or clothing. Before bringing used furniture into your home, inspect it carefully for signs of bed bugs.
If you’ve travelled recently, unpack your luggage away from sleeping areas and wash all clothes in hot water immediately.
Vacuum Regularly
Regular vacuuming of your home, especially around bedrooms, can help reduce the risk of bed bugs. Pay attention to the areas around beds, baseboards, and carpets.
Use Protective Covers
Encase your mattresses and box springs in specially designed bed bug covers. These covers trap any bed bugs that may already be inside and make it harder for new bugs to enter.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
DIY Methods
While some DIY methods can help, such as vacuuming and laundering bedding, they are usually not enough to fully eliminate bed bugs.
Chemical treatments are often required, but using pesticides in bedrooms can be risky, so it’s essential to use products that are safe for bedding.
Professional Pest Control
Given the difficulty of eradicating bed bugs, hiring a professional pest control service is often the most effective and safest solution.
Pest control professionals use a combination of heat treatments and pesticides to eradicate bed bugs from your home.
In Australia, it’s recommended to choose a pest control service that is licensed and experienced with bed bug infestations.
Conclusion
Dealing with bed bugs can be stressful, but early detection is the key to preventing a widespread infestation.
By learning how to recognise the signs of bed bugs, regularly inspecting your home, and taking preventive measures, you can reduce the risk of a full-blown infestation.
If you think you might have bed bugs, it’s always best to seek professional help for a thorough inspection and treatment.
If you’re in Australia and need assistance, many pest control services offer bed bug treatment, inspection, and removal services to help you get your home back to normal. Don’t wait until the infestation worsens—act quickly to protect your home and health!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do Bedbugs Do To Humans?
The bite marks are similar to that of a mosquito or a flea – a slightly swollen and red area that may itch and be irritating. The bite marks may be random or appear in a straight line.
Other symptoms of bed bug bites include insomnia, anxiety, and skin problems that arise from the profuse scratching of the bites.
How Do You Get Away From Bed Bugs?
Wash bedding and clothes in hot water for 30 minutes. Then put them in a dryer on the highest heat setting for 30 minutes.
Use a steamer on mattresses, couches, and other places where bedbugs hide. Pack up infested items in black bags and leave them outside on a hot day that reaches 95°F (35°C) or in a closed car.
What Causes Getting Bed Bugs?
They can come from other infested areas or from used furniture. They can hitch a ride in luggage, purses, backpacks, or other items placed on soft or upholstered surfaces.
They can travel between rooms in multi-unit buildings, such as apartment complexes and hotels.
What Kills Bed Bugs Instantly?
The high temperature of steam 212°F (100°C) immediately kills bed bugs. Apply steam slowly to the folds and tufts of mattresses, along with sofa seams, bed frames, and corners or edges where bed bugs may be hiding.
Does Killing Bed Bugs Attract More?
Ideally, one should void squeezing bed bugs, as this may subsequently increase the bed bug problem.
Killing a bed bug that we squeeze will leave many more bed bugs behind that will continue to breed. And squeezing bed bugs may end up with an even worse infestation.
