Bed bugs: the first steps

Bed bugs aren't about cleanliness.

The answer in 2 lines. Bed bugs are not a sign of a dirty home: anyone can get them. Wash bedding and clothes at 60°C, then tumble dry on hot. Vacuum the mattress, bed and skirting boards and throw the bag away sealed. Don't throw out furniture in a panic or move to another room. They are hard to get rid of yourself: contact your council or a pest controller. If you rent, tell your landlord in writing straight away.

The first 3 steps

Check: look for small black spots, tiny blood marks or small brown insects along mattress seams and the bed frame.
Wash bedding, clothes and curtains at 60°C, then tumble dry on hot. Items you can't wash can go in a sealed bag in the freezer for several days.
Vacuum the mattress, bed and skirting boards, then seal the vacuum bag in a plastic bag and throw it away outside.

Stop: danger

Don't spray insecticide yourself on beds or in bedrooms: it often doesn't work on bed bugs and can harm your health, children and pets. Never use garden or agricultural products indoors.

What not to do

Moving to sleep in another room: the bugs follow you and spread.
Throwing out your mattress or furniture unwrapped: you can spread them through the building.
Keeping it to yourself: tell your landlord or housing association quickly.

How to tell it's bed bugs

Adult bed bugs are small, flat and brown, about the size of an apple seed. They hide by day in beds, cracks and behind skirting boards.

Bites, often in a line or cluster, on skin exposed during sleep.
Small black spots (droppings) on the mattress, and sometimes small blood stains on sheets.
Take a photo: it helps the pest controller.

Why call the council or a professional

Bed bugs are hard to get rid of on your own. Many councils offer pest control or advice, sometimes for a fee. A professional usually combines several treatments (heat, steam, targeted products) and comes back to check.

Look for a pest controller who is a member of a recognised trade body, such as the British Pest Control Association (BPCA), and ask what the treatment involves before you agree.

Who pays if you rent (England)

If the bed bugs were there when you moved in, or come from another flat or a building problem, it is usually the landlord's responsibility.
If they arrived during your tenancy because of something you brought in, you may have to pay, depending on your tenancy agreement.
Your council can take action if an infestation makes the home unsafe or affects neighbours.
Ask Citizens Advice or Shelter for free help with your situation.

Good to know

Bites usually clear up on their own. A pharmacist can suggest a cream or antihistamine for the itching.
After a trip, check your suitcase before unpacking.

In your city

Newcastle: Newcastle City Council has a bed bugs advice page within its pest control service.
Elsewhere, search "pest control" on your council's website to see what it offers and what it costs.

In Newcastle, Sarah wakes up with a line of itchy bites. She washes all her bedding at 60°C, tumble dries it, and emails her landlord with photos of the spots on her mattress. He books a treatment; after two visits, the problem is gone.

A made-up story, for illustration.

Useful numbers (England)

Pharmacist: for itchy bites.
NHS 111: if bites look infected or you feel unwell.
999: if someone has a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face or trouble breathing.

Bobby

Sources, verification, confidence

Verified on 18 October 2026, for England. Confidence: high for the first steps (NHS); medium for who pays when renting, which depends on your tenancy and on where the bugs came from. We could not confirm a recent official UK figure on bed bug infestations, so we don't quote one. This guide describes common cases, not a diagnosis or legal advice.