Bed bugs are a common pest found in Australia. Unfortunately, they don’t just live in homes. They can also find their way into hotels, motels, and dormitories. The most common sign that you have Australian bed bugs is waking up with itchy welts on your body. These welts are actually bites from the insects themselves.
Bed bugs live off human blood and can be extremely irritating if left untreated for too long. They are closely related to the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius) but have different appearance and behaviour.
Bed bugs typically feed at night while people are in bed, as their name suggests.
As a leading Pest Control expert in Melbourne, we will discuss further what Australian bed bugs are and how to deal with them in this post.
What Are Australian Bed Bugs?
Australian bed bugs are a common pest found in Australia. They are also known as the tropical bed bug, which refers to their preference for warmer climates rather than colder ones. These insects are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale and can live up to 18 months without feeding on blood.
Australian bed bugs are often confused with other species of domestic bugs like cockroaches or fleas because they all have similar characteristics, such as being brownish-red in colour or having flat bodies that allow them to squeeze into tight crevices where they hide during the day before coming out at night (when you’re sleeping).
The easiest way to tell if you have an infestation is if there’s brownish-red faecal matter on your sheets or mattresses–this is what these creatures leave behind after eating their fill.
Types of Australian Bed Bugs
Australia is home to two major bed bug species.
The species that is most adapted to temperate conditions and has the widest geographic distribution is Cimex lectularius, sometimes known as the common bed bug.
- Hemipterus, sometimes known as the tropical bed bug, is typically found in tropical areas. High temperatures and humidity are preferred by this species.
Although they have a similar appearance, you can tell them apart by examining the first segment of the thorax, which is the region between the head and the abdomen. Compared to the tropical bed bug, the first segment of the thorax on the common bed bug is laterally extended, and the extreme borders are more flattened.
Common species are often found to the south and tropical species to the north of the NSW/QLD boundary, with some overlap between states.
How to Check for Bed Bugs?
There are several ways to check for bed bugs. The first step is to inspect the mattress, box spring and bed frame for signs of an infestation. Bed bugs can also be found on furniture and carpets as well as baseboards in your home.
Bed Bug Inspection Checklist:
- Check under the mattress and box spring for dark spots or blood stains (signs of recent feeding). If you find any, look carefully at these areas with a flashlight to determine if they are moving or not moving–if they are moving, then it’s likely that there are still live bed bugs present!
- Check around all four sides of the mattress; this includes lifting up corners of the sheets/blanket that may be tucked into crevices where you can’t see them otherwise (this will help prevent any surprises later).
- Look closely at seams where two pieces join together such as corners where two pieces meet up along their edges; this is where eggs tend to hang out because they’re protected from being crushed between two surfaces when someone sits down on top of them.
- Furniture and carpets. Bedbugs often hide in cracks and crevices of furniture such as nightstands or dressers–or even inside drawers! They also like to live under rugs or carpeting so look closely at these locations too when searching for signs of infestation; check along baseboards as well if you have them on your flooring material because this is another common hiding place for these pests.
Signs You Have Australian Bed Bug Infestation
If you think you have bed bugs, there are some signs to look out for. You may have a few or all of the following symptoms:
- Itchy red bites on your skin
- Bites in a straight line or cluster
- Small blood stains on sheets or mattresses (this is often the only way to see them)
If you’re unsure whether it’s bed bugs, check for tiny brownish-red insects crawling around on the mattress or sheets. If this happens to be what’s causing your rash and itching, then congratulations! You’ve found out what was making you uncomfortable every night as soon as you hit the sack.
How to Prevent Australian Bed Bug Infestation?
Prevention is the best way to avoid a bed bug infestation because it is simpler and less work than dealing with an already-established infestation. You can take the following steps to keep these pests out:
- Before bringing any used furniture, bedding, or beds into your home, thoroughly inspect them.
- While travelling, keep your bags off the ground. If you want to avoid infection, place it on something.
- You should patch any gaps in your home and glue down any hanging wallpaper because these could be bed bug-hiding sites.
- Regularly vacuuming your home will help you get rid of eggs and mature bugs by getting under furniture, mattresses, walls, and other surfaces.
- Until you have washed the clothes and bag, isolate your luggage. Make sure to dry them for around fifteen minutes at the highest temperature.
Although prevention is preferable to attempting to control an infestation, you must act quickly if you find bed bugs. Make sure to wash and dry all your clothing and luggage (if possible) using the highest setting on your dryer for at least 15 minutes after you return from a trip. You can also repel infestation if you maintain your home meticulously, including by vacuuming, dusting, and wiping the walls, among other things.
How to Deal With Australian Bed Bugs Infestation?
It is difficult to get rid of bedbugs, and in most infestations, both the owner and a pest control professional will need to deal with the problem. Bedbugs may persist even in unoccupied rooms because they can go up to a year without feeding. You can get rid of bed bugs in various ways.
Although hiring a bed bug pest control expert is the obvious option, there are certain things you can do on your own to fight and get rid of the issue.
Here’s how you can deal with Australian bed bug infestation:
- Vacuum your mattresses, carpets, skirting boards and bed frames
- Change your bed linen
- Wash your curtains
- Examine any crevices where they might hide & use steam cleaners to kill any bugs and eggs.
- Check inside your wardrobes.
You can also use bed bug sprays and powders to get rid of them. Also, they are repelled by other scents, like eucalyptus and peppermint.
Depending on the type of bed, you can even purchase specialised bed bug traps to place underneath the legs of the bed to prevent attacks from climbing up the legs.
How Can Pest Control Help With Bed Bug Infestation?
Bed bug infestations are a nightmare for homeowners. These pesky insects can hide in the smallest crevices and multiply quickly, making it difficult to get rid of them on your own. If you find yourself dealing with a bed bug infestation, it’s important to call Pest Police Australia.
Here’s how our pest control professionals can help you get rid of bed bugs for good:
Inspection
The first step in eliminating a bed bug infestation is to identify the extent of the problem. Our pest control professionals will conduct a thorough inspection of your home to determine where the bed bugs are hiding. We will check your mattress, bed frame, and surrounding furniture for signs of bed bugs, such as tiny blood stains or faecal matter. We may also use specialised equipment to detect bed bugs.
Treatment
Once we have identified the extent of the infestation, we will develop a treatment plan to get rid of the bed bugs. Depending on the severity of the infestation, we may use a combination of treatments, such as heat treatments, insecticides, and vacuuming. Heat treatments are particularly effective, as they can kill bed bugs at all stages of their life cycle.
Prevention
After the bed bugs have been eliminated, it’s important to take steps to prevent them from coming back. Our pest control professionals can provide you with advice on how to prevent bed bugs from entering your home. This may include sealing cracks and crevices, using bed bug-proof mattress covers, and regularly vacuuming your home.
Safety
Bed bug infestations can be dangerous if not handled properly. Our pest control professionals are trained to use insecticides and other treatments in a safe and effective way. We will take all necessary precautions to protect you and your family from harm.
Cost
While hiring a pest control professional may seem expensive, it’s important to remember that a bed bug infestation can quickly get out of hand if left untreated. Hiring Pest Police can actually save you money in the long run by preventing the need for costly furniture replacements or medical bills for bed bug bites.
Say Goodbye to Bed Bug Infestation with Pest Police!
Bed bug infestations are a serious problem that requires professional help to eliminate. A pest control professional can provide you with the expertise and treatment options you need to get rid of bed bugs for good. If you’re dealing with a bed bug infestation, don’t wait. Say goodbye to bed bugs for good with Pest Police. Contact us today to schedule your inspection and bed bug control in Melbourne!