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Bed bugs

Small, flat, blood-feeding insects that hide in mattress seams, bed frames and furniture near where people sleep. They spread in luggage and second-hand furniture, not because of poor hygiene.

Written by PestMan Editorial TeamTechnical review pendingPublished Updated
Size
4–6 mm, apple-seed shaped
Spread by
Luggage, furniture, neighbouring units
Disease
Not known to transmit disease
Survive without feeding
Months
Risk level
Moderate

Bed bug identification

How to recognise bed bugs

  • Adults about 4–6 mm, oval, flat and reddish-brown (similar to an apple seed); swollen and redder after feeding.
  • Nymphs are smaller and paler.
  • Signs include tiny dark spots (droppings) on seams, shed skins and pale eggs about 1 mm long.

Bed bug overview

Two bed bug species occur in Australia: the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) and the tropical bed bug (Cimex hemipterus), which is more common in northern Australia.

Bed bugs are hitchhikers. They are picked up in hotels, hostels, share accommodation, public transport and second-hand furniture. A clean home can still get bed bugs.

Behaviour

  • Feed at night while people sleep, then hide within a few metres of the bed.
  • Can survive for months without feeding.
  • Move between rooms and units along wall voids and on belongings.

Habitat

  • Mattress seams, bed bases, headboards and bedside furniture.
  • Behind skirting boards, picture frames and power points near beds.
  • Couches and upholstered chairs.

Lifecycle

  • Egg → five nymph stages (each needing a blood meal) → adult.
  • In warm conditions the cycle can complete in about one to two months.

Food sources

  • Human blood; they may also feed on pets.

Entry points

  • Luggage and clothing after travel.
  • Second-hand beds, couches and furniture.
  • Neighbouring units in apartments and share housing.

Infestation signs

  • Itchy bites, often in lines or clusters on exposed skin.
  • Small blood smears on sheets.
  • Dark spotting on mattress seams and bed frames.
  • Live bugs or shed skins.

Health implications

  • Bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, but bites can cause itching, skin reactions, sleep loss and anxiety.

Prevention

  • Inspect accommodation beds when travelling and keep luggage off the floor and bed.
  • Wash and hot-dry clothing after travel.
  • Inspect second-hand furniture carefully before bringing it inside.
  • Use mattress encasements to make inspection easier.

Treatment overview

  • Bed bugs are difficult to eliminate without professional help because they hide in many small cracks and some populations tolerate common insecticides.
  • Treatment typically combines inspection, laundering on high heat, vacuuming, steam or heat treatment and targeted insecticide application, with follow-up visits.
  • Do not move bedding or furniture to other rooms during an infestation, as this can spread bed bugs.
Product safety

If you use any pest product, read the label first and follow it exactly — it is a legal requirement in Australia. Keep products away from children, pets and food areas as the label directs.

Questions about bed bugs

Guide

Pest Prevention Checklist

A printable seasonal checklist of simple, low-cost tasks that reduce pests around Australian homes, with the reason behind each step and extra lists for renters, apartment residents, pet owners and Queenslander owners.

Guide

Pests in Apartment Buildings

Why pests move between units, who is usually responsible for what, and how residents, owners and strata managers can work together to solve pest problems for good.

Fleas

Tiny, wingless, jumping insects that feed on the blood of pets and people. Most of a flea population lives in carpets, bedding and yards as eggs, larvae and pupae, not on the pet.

Cockroaches

Fast, flat-bodied insects that hide in warm, damp gaps and come out at night to feed. A few introduced species cause most household problems in Australia.

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Sources & further reading

PestMan provides general information only and does not replace licensed pest-management, medical, veterinary or structural advice. Always read and follow product labels. Read our disclaimer.