Waking up from a night's sleep to realise you've come under the attack of bed bugs is not a pleasant experience, and now there appears to be a global spike in infestations — so how do you avoid getting bitten?

The current crop of bed bugs is highly resistant to the insecticides we currently use

Experts at stowing away in the seams and folds of luggage, overnight bags and folded clothes, bed bugs are often transported to different places and different countries by travellers

They can live up to six months at room temperature and can survive for long periods of time without a blood meal.

Bed bugs will usually feed at night while you are sleeping.

The insect ranges from four to six millimetres in length, are oval in shape and are a dark reddish brown colour — big enough to spot.

If you want to check before sleeping, look for them in the folds of mattresses along the stitched edges, on bed frames, in bedside furniture, in picture frames, behind wall paper, and any other cracks or crevices that could protect them.

After an attack ensure that you treat everything you own with heat, or throw the offending clothing/furniture away. If the attack is in your own home, it might be a good idea to call an expert.