Bed bugs

What Are Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals, usually at night while people sleep. Known scientifically as Cimex lectularius, these pests are expert hitchhikers — they spread quickly through luggage, clothing, furniture, and bedding.

Although they don’t transmit diseases, bed bugs cause severe discomfort, itchy bites, allergic reactions, and stress. Their ability to hide in tiny cracks and crevices makes bed bug control and bed bug treatment challenging without professional help.

🧬 Bed Bug Appearance and Behaviour

Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, flat before feeding and swollen after. They prefer warm environments close to their food source — people. Common hiding spots include mattress seams, headboards, bed frames, sofas, skirting boards, and electrical outlets.

Because of their elusive nature, bed bug infestations can grow unnoticed. Bed bugs are resilient, surviving months without feeding and easily spreading between rooms or properties, which is why early bed bug removal is so important.

🩸 How Bed Bugs Feed and Spread

Bed bugs emerge at night to feed for 3–10 minutes, leaving small, itchy red bites — often in rows or clusters. They are attracted by body heat and carbon dioxide. Once finished, they retreat to hidden areas to digest their meal and lay eggs.

Each female can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime, rapidly increasing the population. That’s why professional bed bug pest control methods such as bed bug heat treatment, bed bug fumigation, or full bed bug extermination are often necessary to eliminate bed bugs completely.

🛏️ Where Bed Bugs Hide

Bed bugs can hide almost anywhere in a home, hotel, or commercial building, especially around sleeping or resting areas. Typical locations include:

• Mattress seams and tufts (requiring mattress bed bug treatment)

• Headboards, bed frames, and baseboards

• Furniture joints and upholstery

• Cracks in walls or floors

• Behind wallpaper or electrical outlets

They’re not limited to homes — hotel bed bug control and commercial bed bug control are critical in shared spaces like hotels, hostels, and offices.

⚠️ Early Signs of Bed Bug Infestation

You may have bed bugs if you notice:

• Red, itchy bites on exposed skin

• Small blood stains or dark spots on bedding or mattresses

• Tiny eggs, shells, or live bugs in seams and folds

• A sweet, musty odour near sleeping areas

At this stage, quick bed bug prevention and bed bug eradication are key to stopping the spread.

💡 Why Bed Bugs Are Hard to Eliminate

Bed bugs are resistant to many over-the-counter insecticides and can survive for months without feeding. DIY methods often fail, making the infestation worse. For lasting results, professional bed bug pest control is the most reliable solution.

Accredited companies like Pest Dominion use targeted bed bug heat treatment, eco-safe insecticides, and follow BPCA bed bug control standards to ensure full elimination and prevent re-infestation.