These resources contain information regarding the control of bed bugs: 

Guide to bed bug control

Guide to bed bug control - 中文 Chinese

Guide to bed bug control - Tiếng Việt Vietnamese

How to handle bed bugs in your home

How to handle bed bugs in a hotel

Bed bugs are small brownish, flattened parasites (4 - 5 mm long) that feed on the blood of humans, birds, and other mammals. 

Bed bugs are flightless but can crawl quickly over floors, walls and ceilings.

They can also hitch rides or move around on clothing, furniture, purses and luggage.

Females lay up to 5 eggs a day (200 - 500 in a lifetime). The eggs are tiny, whitish and barely visible (size is approximately 1 mm) and tend to be found in cracks/crevices in dark areas.

Bed bugs are very resilient. Nymphs can survive months without feeding and the adults for more than a year

Bed bugs generally hide in cracks and crevices during the day and come out to feed at night. 

Bed bugs do not have nests like ants or bees but tend to hide in clusters. 

Bed bugs prefer to hide close to where they feed and go back to the same hiding spot. They will crawl more than 100 feet to obtain a blood meal.

Most infestations start around beds and spread throughout a room and beyond.

Bed bugs usually bite people at night while they are sleeping.

The bites can occur on any exposed skin and the symptoms vary with the individual.

Some people develop an itchy welt or localized swelling, while others have little or no reaction.

Blood stains (black/red), spots of fecal material on upholstered furniture, sheets, pillows, mattress and box springs are also signs of infestation.

Live or dead bed bugs and their cast skins. Live bed bugs confirm an active infestation.

Unpleasant sweet musty odour may occur with a severe infestation. 

During the early part of an infestation bed bugs are more likely to be found on boxsprings, upholstered furniture, mattresses and headboards. If allowed to multiply, they establish themselves behind baseboards, window and door casings, pictures. moldings, and in furniture, loosened wallpaper, and cracks in plaster and partitions.

Bed bugs are difficult to deal with and require the combined efforts of the tenant, property owner and qualified pest control technician.

A combination of preparation prior to treatment, chemical treatment, pest proofing and monitoring is recommended to effectively control bed bugs.

Contact a professional pest control company if you suspect a bed bug problem.

Laundering clothes and linens on hot settings. Transport in sealed bags to prevent spread of insects. Store clean items in sealed bags until chemical treatment is completed.

Vacuum thoroughly, especially along carpet edges. Dispose of vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag. Remove from home immediately.

Remove all belongings from furniture, tables, wardrobes, and closets to allow pest control technician to treat items. Store belongings as directed.

Move furniture away from edges. Dismantle bed and other furniture.

If heavy infestation some items such as fabric furniture may have to be discarded.

Remove pictures, electrical outlet covers from walls.

Eliminate clutter. The more clutter, the harder it is to get rid of bed bugs. 

Multiple dwellings must be serviced by a certified pest control technician.

Be prepared for more than one treatment

Wash and caulk cracks and crevices in walls, ceiling and floors.

Paint walls and ceilings where paint is peeling or chipped.

It is easier to control a bed bug problem when numbers are low.

Suggestions for the treatment of bites include:

Resist the urge to scratch;

Wash the bite areas with antiseptic soap to reduce the risk of infection; 

Apply an ice pack frequently to help relieve swelling;

Ointments or lotions can be applied to ease itching;

See your doctor if the bite develops into an infection. Skin irritation, swelling or infection may be due to other medical conditions or insect bites other than bed bugs. 

In rare cases people can have a serious allergic reaction to bed bug bites. 

Bed bugs are not associated with the transmission of human disease. 

DON’T BRING BED BUGS INTO YOUR HOME! 

Wash and dry second hand clothes on a hot setting. Put into a clean bag.

Heating items to 60o C will kill eggs, nymphs and adults.

Inspect items thoroughly for signs of bedbugs. If in doubt, keep it out.

Store your purse and backpack in a pest proof container such as a sealed plastic bag. Alternatively, store items where bed bugs are less likely to be (a tabletop rather than a bed).

Avoid sitting on upholstered furniture or beds.

When you get home, put clothes in a hot drier for 1 cycle to kill hitch- hiking bed bugs. 

Ask visitors who come from an infested home to check their clothing for hitchhiking bed bugs and to store belongings in a sealed plastic bag or container. 

DON’T SPREAD BED BUGS IF YOU HAVE THEM!

Discard infested items in sealed bags (moving companies often have mattress bags).

Do not drag infested mattresses (furniture, etc.) through hallways.

Mark discarded furniture “bed bug infested” or make it unusable.

Don’t give away or sell infested items.

PROTECT YOUR BELONGINGS FROM GETTING INFESTED

Use bed bug proof mattress and box spring covers. (Bed bugs are unable to chew through anything, so store valuables in sealed containers.)

When travelling inspect your sleeping quarters.

Care must always be taken to prevent accidental exposure to pesticides even though all registered products are considered safe to use if handled properly. If you use pesticides, always read and follow the instructions on the label. 

If your home is going to be treated with pesticides it is recommended that you:

Arrange to be out for 4 to 8 hours after the application (24 hours if you are pregnant, or have respiratory ailments, allergies or are sensitive to chemicals);

Air out the suite well when you return;

Always follow the advice of the pest control applicator. 

Re-entry time will vary depending on pesticide used, method of treatment and individual susceptibility

Vancouver Coastal Health encourages the application of Integrated Pest Management (I.P.M.) principles for safe and effective pest control.

How do I prevent an infestation?

How do I get rid of them?

How do I make sure they don't come back?

How do I avoid them when travelling?

Where do I go for more information?

Copyright © Vancouver Coastal Health. All Rights Reserved.

We recognize that our places of work and Vancouver Coastal facilities lie on the traditional homelands of the fourteen First Nation communities of Heiltsuk, Kitasoo-Xai'xais, Lil'wat, Musqueam, N'Quatqua, Nuxalk, Samahquam, Sechelt, Skatin, Squamish, Tla'amin, Tsleil-Waututh, Wuikinuxv, and Xa'xtsa.

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) provides health-care services through a network of hospitals, primary care clinics, community health centres and long-term care homes. Search our health-care services in Vancouver, Richmond, North and West Vancouver and along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, Sunshine Coast and BC's Central Coast.