Bed Bugs 101: What Do Bed Bugs Look Like and How Do You Get Rid of Them?

Waking up with itchy bites you can’t explain is unsettling, and bed bugs are often the first thing people worry about. So, what do bed bugs look like, and how can you tell if you have them? This guide covers how to identify bed bugs, where they hide, how they spread and what you can do about them.

What do bed bugs look like?

Bed bugs are small, wingless insects that feed on blood, usually at night. Here’s how to recognise them at each stage:

Adults

Adult bed bugs are about 4 to 5 mm long, roughly the size of an apple seed. They’re flat, oval-shaped and reddish-brown. After feeding, their bodies swell, become longer and turn a deeper red.

Nymphs (young bed bugs)

Nymphs are smaller and paler, often almost translucent or yellowish. They can be very hard to spot until they’ve fed, when they turn bright red.

Eggs

Bed bug eggs are tiny (about 1 mm), pearly white and often laid in clusters in cracks and seams. They’re difficult to see without a torch and a close look.

Other signs of bed bugs

Because bed bugs hide during the day, you’re more likely to find their traces than the bugs themselves. Look for:

• Dark spots: small black or brown dots on sheets, mattress seams or the bed frame. These are bed bug droppings.
• Blood smears: small rusty or red stains on sheets or pillowcases.
• Shed skins: pale, empty casings left behind as nymphs grow.
• A musty smell: heavy infestations can produce a sweet, musty odour.

Bites alone aren’t a reliable sign. Bed bug bites often appear in lines or clusters on exposed skin, but they can look like other insect bites, and some people don’t react to them at all. If you have a skin reaction you’re worried about, speak to your GP or pharmacist.

Where do bed bugs hide?

Bed bugs like to stay close to where people sleep or rest. Common hiding spots include:

• Mattress seams, piping and tags.
• Bed frames, slats and headboards.
• Bedside tables and drawers.
• Couches and upholstered chairs.
• Cracks in skirting boards and behind loose wallpaper or picture frames.
• Around power points and switch plates.

How bed bug infestations start and spread

Having bed bugs is not a sign of a dirty home. They’re expert hitchhikers and travel on belongings rather than people. Common ways they arrive include:

• Luggage and clothing after staying in hotels, hostels or holiday rentals.
• Second-hand furniture, especially mattresses and couches.
• Moving house or visiting guests.
• Neighbouring units in apartment buildings.

In Melbourne, we see bed bug problems in all kinds of homes, from inner-city apartments in the CBD and Southbank to share houses in Carlton and Brunswick and family homes in the outer suburbs. A single female can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime, which is why a small problem can grow quickly if left alone.

DIY steps you can take

If you suspect bed bugs, these steps can help reduce numbers while you arrange a proper inspection:

• Wash and dry on high heat: wash bedding and clothing in hot water, then tumble dry on the hottest setting the fabric allows for at least 30 minutes.
• Vacuum thoroughly: vacuum mattress seams, bed frames, skirting boards and carpet edges, then empty the vacuum into a sealed bag and put it in an outside bin.
• Encase the mattress: a zippered, bed-bug-proof mattress encasement traps any bugs inside and makes new ones easier to spot.
• Reduce clutter: clutter around the bed gives bed bugs more places to hide.
• Don’t move things around: moving furniture or sleeping in another room can spread bed bugs through the house.

Avoid “bug bombs” or foggers. They generally don’t reach bed bugs hiding in cracks and seams, and can drive them deeper into walls and furniture.

When to call for professional bed bug treatment

DIY steps can help, but they rarely eliminate an established infestation. Bed bugs hide in tiny spaces, eggs survive many treatments, and some populations have developed resistance to common insecticides.

It’s time to call in a professional if you’ve found live bugs, eggs or clear signs like droppings and shed skins, or if the problem keeps returning. Professional bed bug treatment usually involves a detailed inspection, targeted treatment of the affected areas, and one or more follow-up visits to catch any bugs that hatch after the first treatment.

If you’re searching for pest control near me because of bed bugs, look for a provider that inspects properly before treating and explains the full process, including follow-ups. While you’re thinking about pests this spring, our guide to termite inspections in Melbourne explains why now is the time to check for termites too.