Once you find bed bugs (Hong Kong: 臭蟲 / “bed lice” 床蝨 / “wood lice 木蝨), the safest DIY sequence is: confirm the area → heat-clean textiles → vacuum thoroughly → treat cracks → then decide whether professional pest control is needed. Random household sprays or relying on a “one-shot smoke bomb / fogger” often work poorly and may even drive insects to scatter. This guide sets out practical steps for Hong Kong homes (including public housing and subdivided flats), aligned with publicly available FEHD / CHP practice; it does not oversell results and does not recommend any pest-control company. If you are unsure what you have found, start with What are bed bugs?; for bite questions see Bed bug bite symptoms.
Before you start: confirm, isolate—do not dump furniture
1. Confirm signs: live insects, rusty faecal spots, cast skins, eggs; check mattress seams, bed frame, headboard, sofa seams, skirting boards, and similar places. 2. Map the area: start from the bedroom bed and work outward; corridors on the same floor in subdivided flats / public housing can link units. 3. Isolate items: put suspect clothing and bedding in sealed bags for washing or freezing; do not leave mattresses or sofas in the corridorthat spreads infestation. 4. Reduce hiding places: less clutter under the bed; switch to light-coloured sheets so new marks show.
Step 1: Heat-clean textiles
Infested blankets, bedding and clothing should be washed in hot water (60C or above) and dried in sun or with high-heat ironing where suitable. Keep treated items in sealed bags or boxes until there have been no signs for a period.
Items that cannot take heat: seal and hold at about −18°C for about 24 hours (aligned with CHP / related public guidance; check freeze tolerance and do not compromise food hygiene). Suitcase linings, soft toys and similar items may be sealed and frozen case by case, or assessed by a professional.
Step 2: Vacuum—seams and corners
Vacuum mattress seams, the bed frame, headboard, carpet edges, sofa seams and floor cracks carefully. Immediately seal and discard the dust-bag / canister contents. Repeat vacuuming over the following days, together with heat treatment of textiles.
Step 3: Hot steam / physical treatment of cracks
FEHD mentions directing hot air or steam into cracks and crevices to help kill insects and eggs. Household steamers must be used with care against burns and damp electrics. Seal cracks where possible. If using powders such as diatomaceous earth, wear a mask, eye protection and gloves, clean up afterwards, and follow the product label strictly.
Smoke bombs / foggers and random spraying
Industry practice and this site do not recommend relying on smoke bombs / foggers as the main method: smoke may drive insects to scatter and make control harder. That is an effectiveness and spread-risk recommendation—not a claim that such products are absolutely banned or illegal. Any pesticide must still follow the product label and the law. Do not soak a mattress in spray and sleep on it at once, and do not assume “strong smell = all killed.”
Step 4: Decide whether you need professionals
DIY suits light, well-defined cases. Consider professional control when (prices depend on area and follow-up visits—for reference only; this site is not tied to any company): several rooms show signs at once; neighbour risk in subdivided flats is high; live insects or new bites remain after one to two weeks of DIY; or the household includes infants, pregnant people, older adults or severe allergy sufferers. After professional treatment, residents must still wash bedding and reduce clutter, or reinfestation is likely.
Extra notes for public housing and subdivided flats
Dense layouts with many gaps make spread via luggage, second-hand furniture and dumped mattresses more likely. Do not leave suspect furniture in corridors; inspect second-hand mattresses and sofas carefully before purchase. Clearance time varies with severity—often weeks of repeated cleaning. There is no guarantee of a three-day wipe-out.”
FAQ
Can a fogger / smoke bomb finish it in one go?
This site and industry practice generally do not recommend that as the main method, because insects may scatter. That is not the same as saying it is illegal, but the risk needs care; always follow the product label.
Must I throw away the mattress?
Not necessarily. Try heat / freeze treatment of textiles, vacuuming and crack treatment first; if discarding, wrap and seal beforehand.
How long until DIY clears the problem?
Light cases may improve within weeks; moderate or worse often need repeats or professional follow-up—there is no single answer.
Can bed bugs fly into the next flat?
They cannot fly, but they crawl and hitch-hike; furniture dumped in corridors raises spread risk.
Does random insecticide spraying help?
Surface spraying often misses eggs in cracks and may drive insects away; follow a systematic sequence, and get a professional assessment when needed.