Identification
The bed bug does not transmit disease, but it causes stress, insomnia, and skin reactions. Its presence has nothing to do with cleanliness: it travels in luggage and second-hand furniture. Eradication requires a systematic, professional approach.
Early Detection Is Critical
A bed bug infestation is far easier and less costly to treat when caught early (1 to 2 individuals) than after it has spread (hundreds of individuals throughout the furniture). Inspect under mattresses regularly.
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AFlat oval body
An extremely flat body that lets the bug hide in the thinnest cracks, about the thickness of a credit card
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BPiercing beak
A stylet-like beak used to pierce the skin and draw blood. It injects an anesthetic during the bite, which is not felt at the time
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CAntennae and legs
Wingless. Moves quickly. Four-segmented antennae and six legs adapted for moving across any surface
Adult
Feeds at night on sleeping humans. A blood meal takes 5 to 10 minutes. Can survive up to a year without feeding in cold conditions. Lays 1 to 5 eggs a day.
Life cycle
HEMIMETABOLOUS · 3 STAGES · 6 TO 8-WEEK CYCLEPearly white eggs (1 mm) glued into cracks and seams. A female lays about 200 eggs over her lifetime. They hatch in about 10 days
Five nymphal stages, each requiring a blood meal. The nymph is translucent, then turns reddish brown after feeding
Reaches maturity in 5 weeks to 4 months depending on temperature and host availability. Can survive a long time without feeding
Don't Confuse It With
The bed bug is often confused with other parasites
Signs of activity
Bites in a line or cluster
Red, itchy bites appearing in a line of 3 or in a cluster on skin exposed during sleep (arms, neck, shoulders)
Black stains on the mattress
Black droppings (digested blood) staining mattress seams, headboards, and baseboards
Bugs and shed skins
Flattened, reddish brown bugs found in mattress seams and along the bed frame's slats. Clear, transparent shed skins are also visible
Bed bugs are carried in hotel luggage, second-hand furniture, and second-hand clothing. An infestation does not always start in the bedroom.
Treatment
Professional Eradication
- Heat treatment A temperature of 49°C held for 90 minutes throughout the space. Kills eggs, nymphs, and adults in a single treatment
- Insecticide treatments (minimum 2 visits) At least two visits two weeks apart to eliminate newly hatched bugs from surviving eggs
- Before treatment: wash all bedding at 60°C, vacuum the mattress and box spring, and pull furniture away from the walls. Do not move items into other rooms to avoid spreading the infestation.
- Professional treatment with a residual insecticide on every surface and crack, or a heat treatment. At least 2 visits 14 days apart to catch eggs that hatch after the first treatment.
Throwing out infested furniture without covering and tagging it as contaminated spreads the infestation to neighbours. Treating furniture in place is almost always possible.
After treatment, seal the mattress and box spring in certified bed bug encasements. Any survivors die within 12 to 18 months without being able to feed.
Inspect luggage and clothing when returning from a trip. Wash everything at 60°C or run it in the dryer for up to 30 minutes before putting items away.
Systematic Inspection
Confirm and locate the infestation
Use a flashlight to inspect the mattress seams, box spring, headboard, and frame. Look for bugs, black stains, and shed skins
Inspect nightstands, dressers, picture frames, and electrical outlets within 3 metres of the bed
Place interceptors under the bed legs to catch bugs moving toward the host. Check after one week
Prevention
- Inspect second-hand purchases
Thoroughly inspect any second-hand furniture, mattress, or clothing before bringing it into the home. Refuse the item if you see any suspicious traces.
Purchases - Preventive mattress encasement
Use certified bed bug encasements on mattresses at all times. If an infestation starts early, they make detection and treatment much easier.
Bedroom - Stay alert while travelling
In hotels, inspect the mattress seams and headboard. Place luggage on the metal luggage rack, never on the bed or the floor.
Travel - Interceptors under the bed legs
Install interceptors under the bed legs to detect bugs early. Check them every week.
Bedroom
Frequently asked questions
How do I recognize a bed bug?
A flattened, reddish brown insect 4 to 7 mm long (Cimex lectularius), found near the mattress, seams, and headboard; black stains and bites lined up in a row appear after waking.
Are bed bugs dangerous?
They do not transmit disease, but the bites cause itching and stress; infestations grow quickly.
How do they spread?
Through luggage, second-hand furniture, clothing, and travel; they move from one home to another.
Can I get rid of them myself?
It is very difficult. A professional treatment (heat and/or chemical) with follow-up visits is strongly recommended to eliminate both eggs and adults.