The first step is to identify the signs of bedbugs. These include:

• Bites on your skin, usually in a line or a cluster

• Small brown spots on your bedding or furniture, which are bedbug droppings

• Live or dead bedbugs, which are oval-shaped, up to 7mm long and dark red or brown after feeding

If you see any of these signs. Take a picture of the insect next to a coin and send it to a pest expert. They can confirm whether you have bedbugs or not.

The next step. Is to treat the infested area with heat. Bedbugs die when exposed to temperatures above 45°C for at least 30 minutes. You can try:

• Washing your clothes and bedding in a hot cycle in the washing machine

• Tumble-drying your clothes and bedding on high heat, but check the label first

• Using a steam cleaner on your mattress, furniture and carpets, but be careful not to damage any electronics or heat-sensitive items

If these methods don't work. Or if you have a large infestation, you may need to call a professional pest control service. They can heat-treat your entire room and kill all the bedbugs and their eggs.

The last step is to prevent bedbugs from coming back. You can do this by:

• Washing your clothing and bedding regularly, especially after travelling

• Decluttering your home, as bedbugs can hide in cracks and crevices

• Vacuuming regularly, especially along the edges of your room

• Getting a mattress protector, which can reduce the places where bedbugs can hide

Remember. Bedbugs are not a sign of poor hygiene or cleanliness. They can infest any home, no matter how clean or tidy it is. The important thing is to act quickly and seek help if you need it. Bedbugs are annoying, but they are not impossible to get rid of.

Stay bug free,