They will usually feed every 3-4 days if they have a regular source of food. They prefer to come out at night when its pitch black, they find you by detecting your body warmth and carbon dioxide, they will bite as soon as they come in contact with your skin so this is usually a good indicator as to the whereabouts of its lair (they let off pheromones as they leave their base of operations to ensure they can find there way back to it after they feed) so if most of your bites are on your face, arms you have an idea of where they are hiding (not always but its a start, bare in mind they are masters of sneak missions think metal gear meets splinter cell) a lot of the time you will find 2-3 bites all in the same general area, this is usually the same one bed bug that got startled and has come back another bite.

Heres some tips on how to beat them. Good you have a steamer, but remember that steam doesn't travel that far before cooling down, make sure to get all-around your bed, in any small cracks, I mean seriously small, due to them being flat, they can fit in surprisingly small spaces, look out for any blood and poo stains (black spots) near entrances as they will excrete any excess fluids to fit inside. Think about using expanding foam to seal any cracks you may have.

check you sheets everyday for any you may have squashed in the night, Very important to wash your sheets (everyday if possible) at least 60 degrees (90 to be sure) gently fold the sheets getting all covers to the middle and rolled before transferring DIRECTLY into washing machine if this option is eating too much money I would suggest to use your bathtub and fill with just enough hot water to the amount you need to cover the sheets (get medieval on their arses)

mattress protectors are good, but it's an attrition thing, remember that a bed bug can last over a year without food so your gonna have to keep that protector on without taking it off ONCE for over a year and a half to be sure. I personally would steam the shit outta the mattress beforehand, make sure there are no holes in the protector also, that's like leaving one gate open for the enemy to storm your keep.

As wuagbe said, food-grade diatomaceous earth is a MUST, its a great and safe way to battle the little shits. using a pesticide powder duster to spray along to skirting boards and inside cracks that steam would not be able to reach (little tip, you want an even, fine layer of diatomaceous earth (DE) so try not to puff too hard. I would suggest that after you steam the shit outta your mattress zip up your protector and leave a tiny hole for the puffer to go inside, give it a few generous puffs in different directions and then seal it up and leave for a year and a half.

If you have a divan bed then your gonna want to puff diatomaceous earth inside the two halves also, If its a sealed divan make a small hole, just big enough to fit the nozzle of the applicator inside and puff DE in all directions. Always ensure that you wear a mask when using DE, food grade is safe to use but can really irritate your breathing if inhaled, also ensure that any pets are out of the room and that the door to the room is shut and stays shut for around 30 minutes after applying to allow the dust to settle.

I would seriously recommend not allowing pets to sleep in the same room as you, they are great ways for bed bugs to spread around your house and you may not know it but your dog is most likely getting bit too, they prefer human blood but will just as likely bite pets and whats worse, they have been known to take up residence in the pet's fur.

Hopefully, they are contained to just your bedroom but eliminate the chances of them spreading into other rooms and keep an eye open, you will most likely find them close to where you rest such as bed boards, divans mattresses, sofas, pillows, check ALL folds and cracks especially along the headboard and mattress.

Get ready for a war mate, it won't be easy and itll haunt your thoughts for years to come even after winning, and whatever you do, don't squash the little fukers and then smell em, that smell still haunts me wherever I go.

Hope this helps.

PS. If you use DE then make sure its FOOD grade DE... Filter grade DE is very harmful to your health.

Also, Isomething would recommend this or somthing like this to apply it.. https://www.amazon.co.uk/iLOT-Control-Sprayer-Pesticide-outdoor/dp/B0154OTOUS/ref=pd_sbs_325_img_2/257-2910331-1699701?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0154OTOUS&pd_rd_r=51d31d7e-28f7-4682-a460-853f6afadf68&pd_rd_w=ojmTw&pd_rd_wg=FPzut&pf_rd_p=e44592b5-e56d-44c2-a4f9-dbdc09b29395&pf_rd_r=KNED6RV4Z2X3YP6APC14&psc=1&refRID=KNED6RV4Z2X3YP6APC14

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I've bought myself this just for this purpose - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0154OTOUS/