Bed bugs have become a real problem in Melbourne homes, apartments, share houses and short-stay rentals. Most people bring them home without knowing, after a trip, a stay in a hotel or by buying second-hand furniture. This guide explains how to tell if you have bed bugs, how they spread, what you can do straight away and how professional bed bug treatment in Melbourne works.
What do bed bugs look like?
- Adults: about 5 mm long, flat, oval and reddish-brown. After feeding they swell and look darker and more rounded.
- Young bed bugs (nymphs): smaller and pale, almost see-through until they feed.
- Eggs: tiny, white and about the size of a pinhead, usually in cracks and seams.
Signs of bed bugs in your home
- Itchy bites when you wake up, often on arms, neck, face and legs, sometimes in a line
- Small rusty or dark spots on sheets, mattress seams and pillowcases
- Shed skins and live bugs along mattress piping, in bed frame joints and behind bedheads
- A sweet, musty smell in heavy infestations
Bites alone aren’t proof, because people react differently and some don’t react at all. Finding the bugs, skins or spots is the best evidence.
How bed bugs get into Melbourne homes
| Source | Why it happens |
|---|---|
| Travel | Bed bugs climb into luggage and clothes in hotels, hostels and short-stay rentals. |
| Second-hand furniture | Mattresses, bed frames and couches from kerbside or online marketplaces can carry bugs and eggs. |
| Apartments and share houses | Bugs can move between rooms and units through gaps in walls and along pipes. |
| Visitors | Guests can unknowingly bring them in bags and coats. |
What to do if you think you have bed bugs
- Don’t move to another room to sleep. Bed bugs follow people and you can spread them through the house.
- Don’t throw out furniture straight away. Dragging an infested mattress through the house can spread them. If you do get rid of something, wrap it in plastic first.
- Wash bedding and clothes on hot and dry them on the hottest setting the fabric allows.
- Vacuum the mattress, bed frame and carpet edges, then empty the vacuum into a sealed bag and put it in the outside bin.
- Avoid supermarket bug bombs. They rarely reach where bed bugs hide and can push them further into walls and furniture.
- Book a professional inspection and treatment.
Think you have bed bugs?
Bed bug treatment starts from $349 including GST. Tell us your suburb and we’ll text you a fixed price.
How professional bed bug treatment works
Getting rid of bed bugs takes a careful, step-by-step approach:
- Inspection: we check beds, bedheads, furniture, skirting boards and power points to find where they’re hiding.
- Targeted treatment: registered products are applied to the cracks, seams and joints where bed bugs live.
- Preparation advice: we tell you exactly how to prepare, what to wash and how long to stay out of treated rooms.
- Follow-up: because eggs can hatch after the first visit, a follow-up treatment is often needed to break the life cycle.
See our bed bug treatment in Melbourne for details, or read our older article on strategies for controlling bed bugs.
How to avoid bringing bed bugs home after travel
- In hotel rooms, check mattress seams and the bedhead with your phone torch before unpacking.
- Keep your suitcase on the luggage rack or in the bathroom, not on the bed or carpet.
- When you get home, unpack straight into the washing machine and wash on hot.
- Inspect second-hand furniture carefully before bringing it inside.
Frequently asked questions
Can bed bugs live in clean homes?
Yes. Bed bugs feed on blood, not dirt, so they can live in the cleanest homes and hotels. Clutter just gives them more places to hide.
Do bed bugs spread disease?
Bed bugs are not known to spread disease, but their bites can be very itchy and an infestation can affect sleep and wellbeing.
How long does bed bug treatment take to work?
You’ll usually see activity drop after the first treatment, but a follow-up is often needed to deal with eggs that hatch later.
How much does bed bug treatment cost in Melbourne?
Our bed bug treatments start from $349 including GST. Larger homes or heavier infestations are quoted upfront. See our Melbourne pest control price guide.
