Bed Bugs in NZ – Everything You Need to Know
Bed bugs are, without a doubt, one of the worst pests to deal with. Why? Anything that disrupts your sleep is a major problem. A good night’s sleep is essential for staying productive, and a bed bug infestation will leave you tossing and turning with zero rest. While these pests might seem mysterious and overwhelming, they’re actually quite simple to understand when you break things down. Here’s everything you need to know about bed bugs, based on my experience as a pest controller in Wellington.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Bed bugs are small, flat, and oval-shaped insects about the size of an apple seed when fully grown. They’re brownish in colour but can appear reddish after feeding. While they don’t have wings, they can crawl quickly and hide in the smallest of spaces, making them tricky to spot. Their eggs are even smaller—about the size of a pinhead—and are pearly white, often hidden in crevices and cracks.
Signs Bed Bugs Leave on Humans
One of the easiest ways to detect bed bugs is through the marks they leave behind. Common signs include:
- Bites: Small, red, itchy welts that often appear in a straight line or cluster on exposed skin.
- Blood Spots: Tiny rust-colored stains on bedding caused by crushed bed bugs or their droppings.
- Skin Irritation: While bed bug bites aren’t dangerous, they can cause discomfort and allergic reactions in some people.
What Do Bed Bugs Eat?
Bed bugs feed exclusively on blood, and humans are their favorite hosts. They’re nocturnal feeders, meaning they come out at night to bite, often targeting exposed areas like arms, legs, and necks. The feeding process is painless, as they inject a numbing agent before feeding, so you won’t feel them while they’re at work.
Where Do Bed Bugs Sleep?
Bed bugs don’t technically sleep, but they do hide during the day. Their favorite hiding spots include:
- Mattresses and box springs (especially along seams and tags).
- Bed frames and headboards.
- Cracks and crevices in walls or furniture.
- Behind electrical outlets, baseboards, and picture frames.
Essentially, they’ll hide anywhere close to their food source (you!) while remaining out of sight.
Facts About Bed Bugs
- Resilience: Bed bugs are incredibly hardy. They can survive for months without feeding and withstand a wide range of temperatures.
- Rapid Breeding: A single female bed bug can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime, leading to infestations spreading quickly.
- Travel Experts: Bed bugs hitchhike on luggage, clothing, and furniture, making them easy to transport from one location to another.
- No Disease Transmission: While their bites are itchy and irritating, bed bugs are not known to spread diseases.
What Can You Do About Bed Bugs?
Dealing with bed bugs can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. Start by washing and drying all bedding and clothing at high heat, vacuuming regularly, and sealing cracks and crevices in your home. While DIY methods can help in minor cases, professional pest control is often necessary for larger infestations.
Bed bugs may not be a health risk, but they’re certainly a nuisance and difficult to eradicate. If you need help or advice, don’t hesitate to contact us or submit a form. Our team specializes in pest control across Wellington and can help you get back to enjoying peaceful, bug-free sleep! View more of our articles here.