Key point in one sentence: A resident of Chuk Yuen South Estate in Wong Tai Sin says bed bugs from a neighbouring flat have been spreading into his home since July 2025, leaving him bitten and unable to sleep — and experts warn against reaching for a bug bomb to fix it.
A public housing resident at Chuk Yuen South Estate in Wong Tai Sin recently sought help from the media, saying bed bugs — or woodlice — from a neighbouring flat were suspected of spreading into his home, leaving him bitten and affecting his sleep. According to an Oriental Daily News (on.cc) report dated 28 November 2025, the resident, Mr A, said he had found large numbers of bed bugs at home since July that year; he traced the problem along the corridor and suspected the source was a neighbouring flat. He had tried targeted treatment, but the infestation had not improved.
The report said that after Mr A sought help from the Housing Department, a security guard initially sprayed cockroach spray outside his front door. He said the bites had caused skin sensitivity and hives, and he had sought medical attention. When our team visited the estate on 19 November, Housing Department staff and a pest control company were already carrying out bed bug work there.
The Housing Department told us by email that it first received the referral on 12 November. On-site observation showed the flat in question was not hoarding large amounts of rubbish, but bed bugs were found inside the flat and in the nearby corridor. The Department said that, with the resident’s consent, it had contacted a non-governmental organisation to help clear clutter and had arranged targeted bed bug treatment, promising at least two more rounds of work within the next two weeks. It also reminded residents that, under the Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement, accumulating large amounts of rubbish or waste in a public rental flat and causing a hygiene nuisance can result in points being deducted.
Leung Kwong-yuen, president of the Hong Kong Pest Management Practitioners Association, told us that Hong Kong’s housing density is high, and once bed bugs appear, even professional pest control may not eradicate them in two or three treatments. He advised residents never to buy bug bombs or foggers to treat the problem themselves: bugs out in the open may be killed, but those hiding in cracks may be driven to scatter after coming into contact with the insecticide, which can make things worse. Any pesticide must be used in accordance with the product label and safety instructions.
What to do — and what not to do — when bed bugs are suspected of spreading from a neighbouring public housing flat
Do:
- Notify the estate office as soon as possible; record the date of discovery, the bite details and any signs of bugs in the corridor, and ask for a traceable follow-up record.
- Treat your own flat at the same time: bedding and clothing can be washed in water at 60°C or above, dried or ironed at high temperature; items that cannot be washed should be sealed and placed in a freezer at around −18°C for about 24 hours; vacuum regularly and inspect bed frame cracks.
- Seek medical help for skin discomfort. There is currently no evidence that bed bugs spread disease; if itching persists, see a doctor.
- If necessary, consider professional pest control, and ask for an investigation report, a treatment plan, safety measures and a clear quotation. This site does not recommend individual businesses.
Don’t:
- Don’t delay treatment.
- Don’t use bed bug bombs or foggers indiscriminately; follow the label and keep the place ventilated.
- Don’t assume cockroach spray is the same as bed bug treatment.
This article covers a single case at Chuk Yuen South Estate reported in the media; it is not the first such case in Hong Kong.
Source: Oriental Daily News (on.cc) https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/news/20251128/bkn-20251128201251917-1128_00822_001.html