Introduction

Bedbugs are small blood-sucking insects that live in cracks and crevices in and around beds. They crawl out at night and bite exposed skin to feed on blood.

Adult bedbugs are oval-shaped, flat and up to 5mm long similar to an apple seed.

Their colour varies between dark yellow, red or brown.

Bedbugs aren't dangerous and don't spread any diseases, but some people experience a reaction to their bites and they can be stressful to live with.

This page covers:

How to spot bedbugs

How to get rid of bedbugs

Bedbug bites

Preventing bedbug infestations

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 6 Dec 2016