Bedbugs are not considered a public health pest officially, but they can be an unpleasant and persistent nuisance due to their feeding habits.

Bedbugs draw blood from their hosts by piercing the skin.

 It is the bedbug’s saliva which causes the redness, swelling and itching. Some people could have an allergic reaction which is a concern for those at risk of anaphylaxis.

Unlike mosquitoes and ticks there are no confirmed cases of bedbugs spreading diseases from one human to another, adult bedbugs are roughly apple pip size and may vary slightly in colour. After a feed they will appear red / purple. Hungry bedbugs will appear opaque. 

You may find adults near the food sources for example in mattress seams, corners and buttons. You may also be able to see bedbugs in sockets, cracks and crevices, on curtains or along skirting boards and carpet edges 

Bedbugs are nocturnal creatures and will feed when humans are asleep at night. These bites will be red, slightly swollen, itchy and may appear in clusters.