Waking up with a line of itchy bites is enough to make anyone strip the bed and start searching for answers. If you are trying to work out how to get rid of bed bugs, the honest answer has two parts: there is a lot you can do at home to confirm the problem, contain it and support treatment, but an established infestation usually needs a licensed professional. This guide explains how to identify bed bugs, what Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) says about them, how to use washing and heat safely, and when to call in help.

Bed bugs are not a sign of a dirty home. They travel in luggage, bags, secondhand furniture and clothing, and they can turn up in a spotless condo just as easily as anywhere else. What matters is acting early, before they spread from one bedroom to the rest of the flat.

We should be clear about our role. Femme5 provides home cleaning, not pest control. We do not spray, fumigate or treat for insects. What we can share is practical, cleaning-side advice that helps a professional treatment work and helps you keep the home in order afterwards.

We link to NEA, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) throughout, so you can check the official guidance yourself.

How to tell if you have bed bugs

According to NEA’s page on managing bed bugs, bed bugs range from about 1mm when young to 10mm as adults, and are black, brown or maroon in colour. They are flat, wingless and good at hiding in narrow gaps.

The CDC lists these common signs:

small rusty or dark spots on mattresses, sheets or nearby furniture;
shed skins left behind as the bugs grow;
a sweet, musty odour in heavier infestations;
bites that look similar to mosquito or flea bites, often a slightly swollen, red, itchy area.

Bites alone are not proof, since other insects cause similar marks, so look for the bugs or their traces before you assume. Use a torch and check the mattress seams, piping and labels, the bed frame joints, the headboard, bedside tables and skirting nearby.

Where bed bugs hide

NEA notes that bed bugs prefer places where they can hide and feed regularly, including sleeping areas, under wallpaper, behind picture frames, in electrical outlets, inside box springs, in mattress pads and in night tables. In Singapore homes we would add sofa seams and the underside of fabric headboards, since anywhere people sit or sleep for long periods is a candidate.

What NEA says about bed bugs in Singapore

NEA states that bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases to humans, although their bites can cause discomfort, itching and allergic reactions in some people. Its recommended approach combines non-chemical methods, such as vacuuming, hot laundering, steam and heat treatment and removing hiding places, with the use of insecticides. It advises premises with a bed bug infestation to engage a pest management company.

The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment repeated this in a written parliamentary reply on bed bug prevention in January 2024. It said NEA had advised the aviation, tourism and hotel sectors to check and clean beds, furniture and luggage areas thoroughly, and encouraged premises owners to engage professional pest control operators if an infestation occurs. It also asked returning travellers to take personal responsibility so that bed bugs do not end up in their homes.

First steps at home: contain the problem

While you arrange professional help, these steps limit the spread. They do not replace treatment.

Do not move the bed or sleep elsewhere in a panic. Carrying bedding and pillows to another room can spread bed bugs to it. Keep the affected room’s items in that room until they are bagged.
Bag washable items in the room. Put sheets, pillowcases, blankets and clothes from the affected area straight into sealed plastic bags before carrying them to the washing machine.
Vacuum carefully. Vacuum mattress seams, bed frame joints, skirting and carpet edges. The EPA’s do-it-yourself bed bug control guide advises sealing the vacuum bag tightly after each use and throwing it out immediately in an outdoor rubbish bin. For a bagless vacuum, empty the canister into a sealed bag and wash the canister.
Reduce clutter. The EPA notes that less clutter means fewer hiding places. Avoid moving piles of items from the infested room to other rooms.
Encase the mattress. The EPA recommends covers that seal mattresses and box springs, so that bugs inside are trapped and die and new ones are easier to spot.

Washing and heat treatment at home

Heat is one of the most useful tools you have, and laundry is where most families start.

Laundry

The EPA says a clothes dryer on high heat can kill bed bugs. Wash bedding and clothes on the hottest setting the fabric care label allows, then tumble dry on high heat. If you have no dryer, which is common in Singapore flats, ask the laundry service or self-service laundromat to use the hottest dryer cycle, and carry items there in sealed bags. The EPA also advises care at shared laundry facilities, and using a fresh bag for the return trip so you do not carry bugs back home.

Steam

The EPA says steam can be used on mattresses, sofas and other places bed bugs hide, but the steam should be at least 130°F (about 54°C) and should not blow with a forceful airflow, which can scatter the bugs. Move slowly along seams. Always test steam on a hidden area first, as some fabrics, glues and finishes can be damaged by heat and moisture, and let everything dry completely afterwards in our humid climate to avoid mould. Steam can scald, so keep children and pets out of the room while you work, and keep steam and water away from power sockets, switches and cables. Bed bugs hiding in sockets or electrical fittings are a job for the pest controller.

Items you cannot wash

Shoes, soft toys and small items can sometimes go in a hot dryer. For items that cannot take heat, the EPA says a home freezer can work only if it reaches 0°F (minus 18°C), with items kept sealed in a bag for three days. Check with a thermometer, as many household freezers are not cold enough.

Safety: what not to do

Bed bug panic leads to some dangerous home remedies. Please avoid the following.

Do not use rubbing alcohol, kerosene or petrol. The EPA warns these are dangerous and flammable, and they are a fire risk at home.
Do not use outdoor or agricultural pesticides indoors. Only use products whose labels list bed bugs and indoor use, follow the label exactly, and keep them away from food, children and pets.
Do not rely on foggers or “bug bombs”. The EPA says foggers should not be your only method of control and should be used only with extreme care, and only if bed bugs are listed on the label, as the spray does not reach the cracks where bed bugs hide.
Do not try to “cook” the room. The EPA warns that raising room temperature with heaters does not work and is dangerous.
Keep children, elderly family members and pets away from any treated areas until the label or the pest controller says it is safe.
Never mix cleaning chemicals, especially bleach with ammonia or acids, and keep rooms ventilated when cleaning.

Why licensed pest control is usually needed

Bed bugs hide deep in furniture joints, wall gaps and electrical fittings that you cannot reach with a vacuum or steamer. The EPA also advises continuing to check for signs after treatment, because retreatment may be needed. This is why NEA, the CDC and the EPA all point households with an infestation towards professionals experienced in treating bed bugs.

In Singapore, NEA states that only companies registered with it as Vector Control Operators can be engaged to undertake vector control works, and it publishes a downloadable list on its Vector Control Operator page. Before you hire anyone, check that the company is registered, ask how many visits the treatment involves, and ask what you need to prepare.

Preparation is where cleaning helps. Ask the company exactly what to do before the visit, such as which items to launder, bag or move, and follow those instructions rather than general advice. Once treatment is finished and the pest controller confirms it is safe, a thorough clean helps you reset the room. Our guides on cleaning a mattress and washing pillows cover the general cleaning side. If you employ a helper, brief her on the plan so she knows which items stay bagged and which rooms to avoid.

Preventing bed bugs in Singapore homes

Bed bugs in Singapore homes usually arrive with travel or secondhand items, which is why prevention focuses on those two routes. The EPA’s advice on protecting your home from bed bugs includes:

checking secondhand beds, sofas and furniture for signs of bed bugs before bringing them home;
inspecting the luggage rack in hotel rooms before you unpack;
taking care at shared laundry facilities and carrying laundry in plastic bags;
reducing clutter so any bugs are spotted early.

After a trip, many families also unpack straight into the laundry basket and check suitcase seams with a torch before storing the bag. Regular cleaning will not stop a bed bug hitchhiking in, but it does make an early infestation much easier to spot. Changing and washing bedding on a fixed routine means someone is looking at the mattress seams every week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do bed bugs spread disease?

No. NEA and the CDC both say bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases to humans. Their bites can, however, cause itching, discomfort, lost sleep and allergic reactions in some people. If bites become infected, swell badly or you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, see a doctor, and call 995 in an emergency.

Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?

You can contain a small problem by laundering and drying on high heat, vacuuming, steaming and encasing the mattress, but most established infestations need professional treatment. NEA advises premises with a bed bug infestation to engage a pest management company, and in Singapore it should be one registered with NEA as a Vector Control Operator.

Should I throw away my mattress?

Not necessarily. Mattresses can often be treated and then sealed in an encasement, which traps any remaining bugs. Ask your pest controller first. If you do dispose of an infested mattress, wrap it fully and label it so nobody else takes it home, and check with your town council or condo management on bulky item disposal.

Does Femme5 treat bed bugs?

No. Femme5 provides home cleaning, not pest control, and we do not apply pesticides or treat insect infestations. For bed bugs, engage a pest management company registered with NEA. Once the treatment is complete and the home is safe to clean, we can help with general cleaning.

Conclusion

Getting rid of bed bugs starts with confirming what you are dealing with, keeping the problem contained to one room, and using heat and careful vacuuming to reduce numbers. Avoid flammable or outdoor chemicals and foggers, which are dangerous and rarely work. For an established infestation, follow NEA’s advice and engage a registered pest management company, and be prepared for follow-up checks or a repeat treatment.

Once the room has been treated, steady routines do the rest: regular hot washes of bedding, a quick look at mattress seams, and care with luggage and secondhand furniture.

When the pest controller has finished and you are ready to get the home back in order, a full clean makes a real difference, and mattress cleaning can be added to the same visit. Femme5 also offers home cleaning in Singapore by the hour and deep cleaning for kitchens and bathrooms. Message our team for a quote.

The Femme5 Team
Home cleaning team, Femme5 Agency
Femme5 provides part-time home cleaning, deep cleaning and post-renovation cleaning for HDB flats, condominiums and landed homes across Singapore.

Femme5 Cleaning Team

Written by the home cleaning team at Femme5 Agency Pte Ltd, which provides part-time home cleaning, deep cleaning and post-renovation cleaning across Singapore.

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs: Signs, Safe Steps and When to Get Help