Quick facts
- Species
- Common bed bug (Cimex lectularius)
- Adult size
- About 4 to 5 mm, flat, reddish-brown and oval, like an apple pip
- Feeding
- Blood, usually at night; they can survive for months between meals
- Eggs
- About 1 mm, white and sticky, laid in hidden crevices
- Disease
- Bites are itchy but bed bugs are not known to spread disease in the UK
How to identify bed bugs
Bed bugs are small, flat, wingless insects. After feeding they swell and darken. Nymphs are paler and smaller and can be almost transparent. They hide in mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, sofas and cracks in furniture, and come out at night to feed.
A bed bug problem has nothing to do with cleanliness. They spread by travel: they climb into bags, coats, second-hand mattresses and shared walls. Hotels, hostels, short-term lets and shared housing are common sources.
Signs of bed bugs in your home
- Itchy, red bites on exposed skin, often in lines or clusters, though reactions differ and some people show none
- Small dark spots (bug droppings) on mattress seams, sheets and bed frames
- Tiny blood spots on bedding from crushed bugs
- Pale shed skins and sticky white eggs in seams and crevices
- A faint sweet or musty smell in heavy infestations
- Live bugs on mattresses, behind headboards, in sofa seams or behind loose wallpaper
Risks and damage
Bed bugs do not transmit disease in the UK, but the bites can cause intense itching, skin infections from scratching, sleep loss and anxiety. Many people find an infestation stressful, and rented homes and holiday lets can be affected in ways that damage reputation and income.
Why bed bugs come into properties
Travel, second-hand furniture and shared buildings. Bed bugs can move through gaps between flats and travel on clothing, which is why neighbouring properties are often involved.
How to prevent bed bugs
- Inspect second-hand furniture and mattresses carefully before bringing them in
- Check hotel beds, headboards and luggage racks when travelling, and keep luggage off the floor
- Wash clothing and bedding on a hot cycle after returning from a trip and tumble dry on high heat
- Reduce clutter near the bed and encase mattresses in bed bug-proof covers
- Vacuum seams and crevices regularly and empty the vacuum outdoors
Professional bed bug treatment by Southwark Pests
Professional bed bug treatment is thorough and usually involves an inspection, targeted insecticide treatment of seams, frames and cracks, and sometimes heat treatment. Heat can penetrate furniture and works well for some situations. Because eggs are harder to kill, follow-up visits are normal, usually after a few weeks.
Preparation matters and your technician will explain it: wash bedding on a hot wash, reduce clutter, and leave furniture where it is rather than moving it, which can spread the bugs. Do not throw furniture out without telling the technician, as moving infested items through shared stairwells spreads the problem.
When to call a professional
Call a professional if you find live bugs, blood spots or unexplained bites that keep appearing. Report it to your landlord in writing if you rent, and tell neighbours in a shared building.
Bed bug treatment across Southwark and London
Bed bugs travel in luggage, second-hand furniture and on clothes, and South London's busy rental market, short lets and hotels mean we treat them all year round, in everything from studio flats to HMOs. We cover South London, Central London (the City, the West End and Westminster), East London out to Stratford and Newham, and nearby parts of Kent, from our base at South Dock Marina in SE16. A standard visit is £90, and you can book online or call 020 8050 2022.
- Southwark
- Bermondsey
- Peckham
- Camberwell
- Rotherhithe
- Lambeth
- Brixton
- Lewisham
- Greenwich
- Bromley
- Bexley
- Kent
- Central London
- City of London
- Westminster
- East London
- Tower Hamlets
- Hackney
- Newham
- All areas
Bed bug treatment: questions and answers
What do bed bug bites look like?
They are often red, itchy welts in a line or small group on exposed skin. Reactions vary and bites alone are not proof, so look for bugs, droppings or blood spots on bedding.
Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?
Washing and heat can help, but bed bugs hide deep in cracks and are resistant to many shop products. Many people find DIY only drives them elsewhere, so professional treatment is usually the reliable option.
Do bed bugs mean my home is dirty?
No. Bed bugs spread by travel and are found in clean homes and luxury hotels alike.
Do I need to throw away my mattress?
Not usually. A treated mattress in a protective cover can often be kept. Do not dispose of it without talking to the technician first.
How long does treatment take?
Often two visits a few weeks apart, with monitoring afterwards. It takes time to deal with eggs that hatch later.
Who is responsible in a rented home?
This depends on the tenancy and circumstances, but landlords are generally expected to keep a property free of infestations that arise from the building. Report in writing and keep records.
Related pages
- How to check for bed bugs
- Bed bug bites
- Preparing for bed bug treatment
- Bed bugs after travel
- Hotel & B&B pest control
This page is general information, last reviewed on 19 October 2026. It is not a substitute for an on-site inspection.