Adult bed-bugs are flat, oval insects, 5mm long and 3mm broad, with a reddish-brown colour.
How bed-bugs spread
Bed-bugs don't fly. They move by crawling or through transported items like clothing, luggage, books, and furniture. They are often found in bedrooms, hiding near where people sleep, such as in bed frames, mattresses, furniture, skirting boards, or wallpaper.
Why bed-bugs are a problem
Bed-bugs bite and feed on blood, causing irritation. Factors like central heating and second-hand furniture can increase their numbers. While they don't carry diseases, their bites can cause severe irritation.
Bed-bug life cycle
Females lay white eggs, about 1mm long, in dark places. They lay around 150 eggs, hatching in 10-20 days. Bed-bugs reach adulthood in about nine weeks, living up to 18 months and feeding weekly, but can survive over a year without blood.
Getting ready for bed-bug treatment
For pre-treatment and post-treatment advice on bed-bugs, download our leaflets.
