Bed bug treatment in Sydney

Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects that hide in mattress seams, bed frames and furniture, and come out at night to feed on blood. They're not a sign of a dirty home. They travel in luggage, second-hand furniture and clothing, which is why they turn up in homes, apartments, hotels and share houses alike.

Signs of bed bugs

• Itchy bites, often in lines or clusters, on skin exposed while sleeping (not everyone reacts to bites).
• Tiny dark spots (droppings) or rusty blood smears on sheets and mattress seams.
• Shed skins and small pale eggs in seams, bed-head joints and screw holes.
• Live bugs about the size of an apple seed in the folds of the mattress or bed frame.
• A musty, sweet smell in heavier infestations.

Why bed bugs need a professional

Bed bugs hide in tiny cracks and can survive for long periods between feeds, so supermarket sprays rarely get them all. Moving to the couch or another room often just spreads them. In units and townhouses they can travel between dwellings, so it's worth acting quickly and telling your property manager or strata if you rent or live in a complex.

What bed bug treatment usually involves

1. Thorough inspection of beds, bed frames, furniture, skirting boards, power points and nearby rooms.
2. Preparation. You'll usually be asked to wash bedding and clothing on hot and tumble dry them, bag clean items, and declutter around beds.
3. Treatment of mattresses, bed frames, furniture and harbourage areas, which may include residual treatments, dusts, steam or heat depending on the technician.
4. A follow-up visit, because eggs can hatch after the first treatment. Most bed bug jobs need at least two visits.

When bed bugs are worst

Bed bugs live indoors, so they can be active all year, but they breed faster in warmth. Summer travel and holiday periods are when many people bring them home.

What you can do today

• Strip the bed and wash bedding on the hottest setting it can take, then tumble dry on high.
• Vacuum mattress seams and around the bed, then empty the vacuum into a sealed bag and bin it.
• Don't move the mattress or furniture to other rooms or put them on the kerb without bagging them.
• When travelling, keep luggage off the bed and check the mattress seams in hotel rooms.
• Inspect second-hand furniture and mattresses carefully before bringing them inside.

Frequently asked questions