How do you get rid of bed bugs in Melbourne?
Bed bugs need a professional treatment of every hiding spot in the affected rooms, usually mattress seams, bed bases, bed heads, bedside furniture, skirting and power points, followed by a second treatment around two weeks later to kill bugs that hatch from eggs. Washing bedding on hot and vacuuming help, but supermarket sprays rarely reach the cracks where most bed bugs live.
Signs you have bed bugs
- Itchy bites on arms, neck or legs, often in a line or small cluster
- Small dark spots (droppings) along mattress seams and bed frame joints
- Blood smears on sheets or pillowcases
- Pale shed skins and tiny white eggs in cracks around the bed
- Live bugs: flat, reddish-brown and about the size of an apple seed
- A sweet, musty smell in heavy infestations
Why bed bugs need a professional treatment
A female bed bug lays several eggs a day, and the eggs are protected from most sprays. Adults can survive for months without feeding, so leaving a room empty does not starve them out. Over-the-counter bombs and foggers often push bugs deeper into walls and neighbouring rooms. A planned treatment that targets every hiding place, plus a follow-up timed to the egg hatch, is what clears an infestation.
How Pestor treats bed bugs
Inspection
We check beds, furniture, skirting, curtains and nearby rooms to confirm bed bugs and map how far they have spread.
Preparation plan
You get a simple checklist so the rooms are ready and nothing is missed on treatment day.
Treatment
Every harbourage is treated: mattress seams, bases, bed heads, furniture joints, skirting, carpet edges and power points.
Follow-up
We return about two weeks later to treat any bugs that have hatched since, then check again before signing off.
How to prepare for a bed bug treatment
- Wash bedding, curtains and clothing from affected rooms on the hottest setting, then dry on high heat
- Bag clean items and keep them sealed until the treatment is finished
- Clear items from under beds and empty bedside drawers
- Vacuum the room and mattress, then empty the vacuum outside into a sealed bag
- Do not move furniture or belongings to other rooms before we arrive
Prevention tips
- Check hotel beds and luggage racks when you travel and keep suitcases off the floor
- Unpack straight into the washing machine after a trip
- Inspect second-hand beds, couches and furniture closely before bringing them home
- Use a zip-up mattress encasement to make spot checks easier
Common species in Melbourne
| Name | Scientific name | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Common bed bug | Cimex lectularius | The species found in Melbourne homes, hotels and rentals. |
| Tropical bed bug | Cimex hemipterus | More common in northern Australia, occasionally brought south in luggage. |
FAQs about bed bugs
Do bed bugs mean my home is dirty?
No. Bed bugs feed on blood, not food scraps or dirt. They arrive in luggage, clothing and furniture and are found in very clean homes and expensive hotels.
How long does bed bug treatment take?
Most homes take one to two hours per visit depending on the number of rooms. A second visit around two weeks later is part of the treatment, because eggs hatch after the first application.
Can I sleep in my bed after treatment?
Yes, once the treatment has dried. Your technician will tell you how long to stay out of treated rooms. Sleeping in the same bed helps, because it draws any surviving bugs out across the treated surfaces.
Do I need to throw out my mattress?
Usually not. Most mattresses can be treated. If a mattress is torn or heavily infested we will tell you honestly, and an encasement can seal it for the future.
Who pays for bed bug treatment in a rental?
It depends on when and how the bed bugs arrived, and the lease. Talk to your agent or landlord early. We can provide a treatment report for both parties.