Question By: Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on human blood, typically at night. They are flat, oval-shaped, and about the size of an apple seed, making them excellent at hiding in cracks, mattresses, furniture, and carpets. While bed bugs do not transmit diseases, their bites can cause itching, skin irritation, and allergic reactions.
In Canberra homes and hotels, bed bugs spread primarily through travel and second-hand items. They hitchhike on luggage, clothing, and furniture, making hotels, motels, and short-term rentals common hotspots for infestations. Visitors unknowingly bring them home after staying in an infested accommodation. Similarly, buying used furniture or mattresses from second-hand stores can introduce bed bugs into a home.
Bed bugs thrive in high-density living areas like apartments, hostels, and student accommodations, spreading between units through walls, electrical outlets, and shared laundry facilities. Canberra’s frequent travel activity, particularly in tourist areas like Civic, Braddon, and Kingston, increases the risk of infestation.
Once inside, bed bugs multiply quickly, hiding in mattresses, bed frames, couches, and carpets. They emerge at night to feed and can survive for months without a meal, making eradication difficult.
Preventing bed bug infestations in Canberra requires regular inspections, vacuuming, washing bedding at high temperatures, and sealing cracks. If an infestation occurs, professional heat treatments and pest control services are the most effective solutions. Visit https://www.flick.com.au/canberra-pest-control/ to know more.
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