Bed Bug Identification and Treatment

Bed bugs are one of the most stressful pests to deal with, partly because they are so good at hiding and partly because they feed on you while you sleep. They spread easily through luggage, second hand furniture and shared walls, so anyone can end up with them regardless of how clean the home is.

What bed bugs look like

Adult bed bugs are flat, oval and reddish brown, about four to five millimetres long, roughly the size of an apple seed. After feeding they swell and darken. The young are smaller and paler. They cannot fly or jump; they crawl.

Signs of an infestation

• Itchy bites, often in lines or clusters on the arms, shoulders and back
• Small blood spots or dark smears on the sheets
• Live bugs or shed skins in the seams of the mattress and bed frame
• A sweet, musty odour in heavier infestations

Check the seams and tags of the mattress, the bed frame joints, the skirting behind the bed and the edges of nearby carpet.

Why they are so hard to clear

Bed bugs hide in tiny cracks and can survive months between feeds. A single missed harbourage point can reinfest the whole room, which is why do it yourself efforts so often fail. They have also developed resistance to many over the counter sprays.

How professional treatment works

Effective treatment is meticulous. Every harbourage point in and around the bed, the frame, surrounding furniture and skirting is treated in detail. Because eggs are shielded from many products, a follow up visit is usually scheduled to catch newly hatched bugs. Preparation such as laundering bedding on a hot wash and reducing clutter greatly improves the result.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to throw out my mattress?

Usually not. Most mattresses can be treated. We will let you know if anything is beyond saving.

How did I get bed bugs?

Most commonly they hitch a ride home in luggage after travel, or arrive in second hand furniture. It is not a reflection of hygiene.

How many treatments are needed?

Often two, spaced to catch the eggs that hatch after the first visit.

Talk to Aries Pest Solutions

If you would like a professional opinion, Aries Pest Solutions is owner operated and services homes right across Sydney. Call Nabil on 0495 024 440 for honest advice and a free, no obligation quote.