Do You Think You Have Bed Bugs?
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Bed Bugs
Waking up with bites or blood spots on your sheets? Bed bugs are a growing issue across South Africa, especially with increased travel.
Over 40% of travellers in Rentokil’s survey didn’t realise bed bugs can travel home with them after leaving an infested space, making early detection and fast action essential.
We don’t just treat infestations, we help prevent them too, with expert guidance and staff training to identify early warning signs before they escalate.
Think you might have bed bugs?
Don’t wait — book an inspection with our experts today.
Signs of Bed Bugs
Bed bugs hide in tiny cracks and crevices, and usually visit their host for a brief feed in the few hours before dawn. To an expert pest controller, signs of bed bugs are easy to spot. But to the untrained and inexperienced eye, identifying bed bugs may be a little harder.
Here are a few common signs that there may be bed bugs in one of your rooms:
Dark Stains on the mattress and surrounding area from bed bug excreta.
Sweet scent – an unpleasant, sweet, sticky smell
Shed Skins – Bed bugs shed pale, empty skins as they grow — a clear sign of infestation.
Live insects – despite being small (adult bed bugs are only 4-5mm long), it’s possible to spot live bed bugs.
Where to Check
Bed bugs hide in tight, hard-to-reach spaces:
- Mattress seams and bed frames
- Headboards and furniture joints
- Skirting boards and floor cracks
- Behind wallpaper or plaster
- Inside plug points and fittings
- Drawers, wardrobes and carpets
Bed Bug Bites
Bites are often the first warning sign — but not always easy to identify.
What to look for:
- Small red bumps, often in lines or clusters
- Itching and swelling
- Bites on arms, legs, neck or hands
- Appearing overnight
What do bed bugs look like?
Looking at the pattern of bites, the location on your body, and the approximate time they happen, may help to correctly identify the culprit of your insect bites.
Bed bugs feed at night and may bite multiple times in one area.
Commercial Bedbug Control Solutions
What to Do Next?
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, act quickly. Bed bugs spread fast and are difficult to eliminate without professional treatment.
Book a professional inspection today to confirm the issue and get the right solution.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bed Bugs (South Africa)
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What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are tiny, flat, reddish-brown insects that feed on human blood, usually at night. They hide in beds, mattresses, couches, furniture, and cracks in walls or floors.
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How do I know if I have bed bugs?
Signs include itchy red welts on your skin, blood stains on sheets, tiny black droppings, shed skins, and a musty smell around your bed or furniture.
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Are bed bugs dangerous?
They don’t spread diseases, but bed bug bites can cause itchiness, allergic reactions, and stress from their persistent bites.
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How do bed bugs spread?
Bed bugs travel in luggage, clothing, second-hand furniture, or even via visitors. In apartments or flats, they can easily move between rooms or neighbouring units.
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Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?
DIY methods rarely work long-term in South Africa. Many over-the-counter sprays are ineffective. Professional treatments using heat or approved insecticides are usually the best solution.