What you need to know about bed bugs
Bed bugs are small blood-feeding insects. Their bites can cause itching and irritation, and an infestation can become difficult to control. Recognising the signs and acting early helps protect your home.
How to recognise bed bugs
- Size and shape: adults are usually around 4–5 mm long, with flat, oval bodies.
- Colour: brown, becoming reddish after feeding.
- Odour: a heavy infestation may produce an unpleasant, sweetish smell.
- Eggs and young insects: eggs are tiny and whitish; nymphs resemble adults but are smaller and paler.
Signs to look for at home
Possible signs include itchy red marks, small blood stains on bedding, dark faecal spots around mattress seams and bed frames, and shed skins in hiding places. Bite patterns alone cannot identify the insect: look for physical evidence and have a specimen checked.
How bed bugs reach a home
- Luggage and clothing: insects can travel with belongings after a stay in an affected location.
- Second-hand furniture and appliances: hidden insects or eggs may be brought indoors. Bed bugs can survive for extended periods without feeding, depending on conditions.
- Neighbouring apartments: insects may move through gaps and cracks around walls, floors and utility routes.
- Used clothing: inspect and treat second-hand textiles appropriately, including items shipped from abroad.
Bed bug control methods
Inspection and cleaning: thoroughly check sleeping areas and vacuum mattresses, furniture and carpets, paying attention to seams and joints.
Washing and drying: where fabric care labels permit, use a hot wash, such as 60°C, and a suitable hot tumble-drying cycle. Agree on treatment settings with your specialist.
Insecticides: use only products labelled for the pest and surface concerned. A veterinary product is not automatically suitable for furniture or living spaces.
Steam: correctly applied heat can kill exposed bed bugs and eggs. Surface suitability and application technique matter.
Professional treatment: CSMG can inspect the property and plan treatment using appropriate equipment and methods. Confirm the visit, follow-up requirements and costs in advance by calling +995 555 972 994.
Preventing reintroduction
- Clean and inspect regularly, including mattress seams and furniture joints.
- Check luggage and clothing after travel.
- Inspect used furniture and appliances before bringing them indoors.
- Repair gaps that can provide routes between adjacent rooms or apartments.
Early action and a coordinated plan make control more manageable. Contact a specialist when you find signs of an infestation.
Cleaning after pest treatment in Tbilisi
CSMG also provides cleaning and upholstery-cleaning services after pest-control work. Agree on the timing and the areas to clean with the treatment specialist so that necessary residual treatment is not removed. Cleaning must follow the instructions for the products used.
Call +995 555 972 994, email crystalsmgroup@gmail.com or contact us online. Visit CSMG on Facebook.
For more detail, read our bed bug identification guide and apartment preparation instructions.