Bed bugs are making a comeback. Once thought to be a problem of the past, these little bloodsuckers are now turning up everywhere – homes, hotels, offices, even public transport. They don’t care if you live in a luxury apartment in Adelaide or a cosy little unit in Norwood. If they find a way in, they’re staying.
A single bed bug infestation can quickly spiral out of control. Female bedbugs lay thousands of eggs in their lifetime, and surviving eggs hatch in as little as five days. The sooner you find bed bugs, the easier they are to manage.
How to Check for Bed Bugs
You probably woke up from a nap on the couch itchy. There’s a line of red bites on your arms. Maybe it’s mosquitoes. Maybe it’s nothing. But then you see tiny brown spots on your couch or sheets. And a sweet, musty odor similar to berries in the room.
That’s when it hits you: bed bugs!
Catching them early is crucial. If you miss the signs, they’ll multiply fast. So, where do they hide? And how do you know for sure?
Where to Look for Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are masters of hide-and-seek. They squeeze into the smallest cracks, camouflage within the bedding, staying out of sight during the day. But if you know where to look, you can spot them before an infestation gets out of control.
Here’s where they love to hide:
- Mattresses and box springs – Check seams, piping, and tags.
- Bed frames and headboards – Especially cracks and joints in wooden frames.
- Upholstered furniture – Couches, chairs, even fabric-covered bed heads.
- Skirting boards and loose wallpaper – Bed bugs slip behind peeling paper and tiny wall cracks.
- Cracks in walls or flooring – They can hide in crevices near your bed.
- Suitcases and bags – If you’ve just lodged in a hotel room with bugs, check your luggage and let the hotel call a commercial bed bug control service.
Got a torch and a magnifying glass? Use them. These pests are small — about the size of an apple seed — and their eggs are even tinier.
Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation
Not sure if you’ve got bed bugs? Look for these telltale signs.
1. Bed Bug Bites
Bed bug bites look like small, red welts—often in a zigzag pattern or straight line. You’ll usually find them on arms, legs, neck, or back. Unlike mosquito bites, they don’t always itch immediately.
Some people have no reaction at all. Others might get an allergic reaction or even a skin infection from excessive scratching.
2. Bloodstains and Fecal Spots
Do you see rust-coloured stains on your sheets? That could be crushed bed bugs. They leave behind small, dark droppings, often near mattress seams or on your pillow.
3. Musty Odor
Are you having a heavy musty odor in your bedroom? That’s a sign of a serious bedbug infestation. When bed bugs gather in large numbers, they release a sickly, sweet, berry smell.
4. Eggs and Moulted Skins
Bed bug eggs are tiny, white, and oval-shaped. You might also find shedded skins from growing adult bed bugs. These can be collected in mattress seams, cracks in furniture, or under loose wallpaper.
How to Draw Bed Bugs Out of Hiding
If you think you’ve got bed bugs, but you can’t find them, try these tricks:
- Use heat: Bed bugs love warmth but hate extreme heat. A hairdryer on high can flush them out.
- CO2 traps: These pest traps mimic human breath, luring them out of hiding.
- Check at night: They come out to feed on human blood while you sleep.
- Inspect furniture seams and carpet edges: Use a torch to spot movement.
Still unsure if you have a bed bug invasion? Call a licensed pest control operator at Allstate Pest Control for a thorough inspection. They know exactly how to find bed bugs, before they take over your home.
What to Do If You Find Bed Bugs
So, you’ve found bed bugs. First off, don’t panic. They’re a nightmare, sure. But they’re also treatable. The key is acting fast. The longer they stay, the worse it gets.
Here’s what to do next.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Isolate the Infested Area – If you find one or two bugs on the bed, don’t start dragging things around. Keep blankets, pillows, and clothes in the room. Moving them around could spread bed bugs to other areas.
- Wash Everything on a Hot Setting – Bed sheets, pillowcases, curtains, and even soft toys. Use the hottest water possible. Tumble dry on high heat for one hour. Heat kills bed bugs instantly.
- Vacuum Everything – Mattress, box spring, bed frames, carpets, even cracks in the walls. Empty the vacuum cleaner bag straight into a sealed plastic bag. Toss it in an outdoor bin.
- Declutter & Check Furniture – Bed bugs love hiding places. If you’ve got stuff piled up near your bed, check it thoroughly. Old books, bedside drawers, even power outlets can be hotspots.
Caught early, these steps might do the trick. But if the infestation’s bigger, you’ll need something stronger.
How to Kill Bed Bugs Permanently
Some home treatments work. Others just waste time. Let’s break it down.
1. Heat Treatment
Heat is a bed bug killer. They can’t survive temps over 45°C for an hour. At 60°C, they’ll die instantly. Here’s how to use the temp method:
- Professional Heat Machines – Pest control experts use industrial heaters to raise room temperatures to lethal levels.
- Hot Water & Tumble Drying – If it fits in your machine, wash it on high heat and then tumble dry it for at least 1 hour.
You could also try a DIY Freezer Treatment – Small items (like shoes or clothes) can be bagged and frozen for at least 48 hours.
2. Steam Treatment
Steam works well for mattresses, box springs, and furniture seams. The key is a proper steamer with high temperatures (not your average clothing steamer).
3. Chemical Treatments
Some sprays kill live bed bugs, but not bed bug eggs. That means repeat treatments are needed.
- Over-the-Counter Sprays – A short-term fix, but bed bugs can develop resistance.
- Professional Pest Control – Licensed experts use stronger chemical treatments that kill bugs at all life stages.
If the infestation is bad, do-it-yourself options could do nothing to hamper the spread. It’s time to call in the pros.
When to Call a Licensed Pest Control Operator
Bed bugs are stubborn. They hide, multiply fast, and resist weak treatments. If you’ve tried everything and they keep coming back? It’s time to call the experts at Allstate Pest Control.
Here’s what to expect from professional extermination:
- Inspection & Confirmation – Experts check hiding spots you might miss, like wall voids and electrical outlets.
- Heat & Chemical Treatment Options – They’ll recommend the best solution based on your home and infestation size.
- Follow-Up Visits – A proper treatment plan includes rechecks to stop a new infestation from developing.
Don’t wait until the problem explodes. The sooner you find bedbugs, the easier they are to prevente.
How to Prevent Future Infestations
Kicking bed bugs out is one thing. Keeping them out is the real challenge.
Bed Bug Prevention at Home
A few smart habits can keep your home bed bug-free.
- Regular Inspections – Check mattresses, bed frames, and furniture seams at least once a month. Early detection saves headaches.
- Seal Cracks & Crevices – Bed frames, skirting boards, wall cracks—seal them up. Fewer hiding spots mean fewer bugs.
- Use Mattress Protectors – A zippered, bed bug-proof cover stops them from burrowing into your mattress.
How to Avoid Bed Bugs While Traveling
Hotels, Airbnbs, even taxis — bed bugs love to travel.
- Inspect Your Hotel Room – Check the mattress, box spring, and bed seams for stains or tiny black dots before settling in.
- Keep Luggage Off the Floor – Use luggage racks, not the bed. Bed bugs crawl into suitcases fast.
- Wash Travel Clothes in Hot Water – As soon as you get home, throw everything in the wash—hot setting only.
Also Read: Your Guide to Bed Bug Control in Adelaide
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have bed bugs or am I just paranoid?
Bedbug bites usually appear in clusters or a zigzag pattern, often on exposed skin like arms and legs. If you wake up itchy with red bites but don’t see bugs, check for other signs like blood stains or shed skins. If unsure, a licensed pest control operator can confirm an infestation.
How can you detect bed bugs?
Look for bed bug bites, tiny blood spots on sheets, and a musty odor near your bed. Check mattress seams, bed frames, skirting boards, and furniture for tiny brown bugs or shed skins. A thorough inspection with a flashlight can help find bedbugs hiding in cracks and crevices.
How do you draw bed bugs out of hiding?
Use heat, CO2 traps, or a flashlight to flush them out. Hairdryers can warm up hiding spots and make them move. Sliding a credit card along mattress seams and furniture joints can also force them out.
What kills bed bugs permanently?
Heat treatment is the most effective method—bed bugs die at around 50°C. Professional chemical treatments also work, but some bugs develop resistance. Steam and freezer overnight methods can help kill eggs and live bed bugs, but a pest control company provides a more thorough and effective treatment.
Can bed bugs spread disease?
No, bed bugs don’t spread disease, but their bites can cause skin infections, allergic reactions, and intense itching. Scratching bites may lead to secondary infections. If bites become swollen or infected, seek medical attention.
Bed bugs won’t leave on their own. If you spot the signs, act fast. For expert bed bug removal, call Allstate Pest Control—South Australia’s trusted 24/7 pest control team.