You probably have bed bugs if you wake up with itchy bites in lines or clusters, find small blood spots on your sheets, see black ink-like dots along mattress seams, or spot small reddish-brown bugs or pale shed skins in the seams of your mattress, bed frame or headboard. Check those areas with a torch, especially the corners and seams.
Signs of bed bugs
- Itchy red bites, often in a line or cluster on the arms, neck, shoulders or legs
- Small rust-coloured blood spots on sheets and pillowcases
- Black dots (droppings) along mattress seams, bed frames and headboards
- Live bugs: flat, oval, reddish-brown, about the size of an apple seed
- Pale shed skins and tiny white eggs in seams and crevices
- A sweet, musty smell in heavy infestations
Where do bed bugs hide?
Bed bugs hide close to where people sleep or sit for long periods: mattress seams and piping, the bed base and frame, headboard joints, bedside tables, skirting near the bed, plug points, curtains and couches.
What to do if you find bed bugs
- Don't move to another room to sleep: bed bugs will follow and spread
- Don't throw furniture out without bagging it, as it spreads bugs
- Wash bedding and clothing on a hot cycle and tumble dry
- Vacuum around the bed and empty the vacuum outside
- Book a professional treatment with a follow-up visit
How did I get bed bugs?
Bed bugs travel in luggage, handbags, second-hand furniture and clothing. Having them is not a sign of a dirty home. Hotels, guesthouses, hostels, public transport and visitors are common sources.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?
It is very difficult. Bed bugs hide in tiny cracks and their eggs resist many treatments. A professional treatment with a follow-up is the most reliable approach.
Do bed bug bites appear immediately?
Not always. Some people react within hours, others after several days, and some people do not react at all.
Do I need to throw away my mattress?
Usually not. Mattresses can normally be treated. A mattress encasement can help after treatment.
Need help now? Cape Shield Fumigation offers bed bug treatment across Cape Town and the Western Cape. Call or WhatsApp 066 575 0079.