How to identify bed bugs?
The most common signs are itchy bites (often in a line or clusters), blood spots on bedding, black dots (feces) near mattress seams and, in heavy infestations, a characteristic sweetish odor.
Bed bugs usually hide in and around the bed: mattress seams, bed frame, skirting boards, sockets, cracks in furniture. Bites alone are not 100% proof, but combined with traces in the bedroom they usually confirm the problem.
What to do immediately (first 24 hours)?
Do not move items between rooms “loosely”. Put textiles into bags. Vacuum the area around the bed thoroughly and immediately throw away the bag/empty the container outside.
Wash bedding and clothes at the highest temperature allowed by the label, and items that cannot be washed should be dried in a dryer or frozen (at least 48–72 hours at -18°C).
Why home remedies often fail
Bed bugs can survive without food for weeks and the eggs are resistant to some products. They also hide deep in cracks where store‑bought aerosols do not reach.
Improper use of chemicals can drive bed bugs into other rooms. Instead of “gassing the whole flat”, it is better to use proven methods and a proper treatment strategy.
How to prepare the apartment for professional treatment
Provide good access to the bed and skirting boards: move furniture 10–20 cm away from walls, remove bedding, empty bedside tables. Put items from around the bed into bags.
Do not throw away the bed or mattress immediately — in many cases they can be effectively secured. The most important thing is to carry out the treatment and follow post‑treatment procedures.
How to avoid recurrence
After treatment follow the recommendations: airing, cleaning at the right time, washing textiles, checking critical spots. Consider a bed bug‑proof encasement for the mattress.
If you travel often: after returning, wash your clothes, inspect and vacuum your suitcase, and in hotels keep luggage away from the bed.