An infestation of bed bugs has forced the closure of a hut on the Abel Tasman National Park coastal track.

Whariwharangi Hut is closed until further notice while the Department of Conservation takes action.

The insects live in bedding, taking nutrients from the blood of people sleeping in the bed.

While bed bugs are not known to carry or transmit disease, their bites cause welts in the skin which become inflamed and itchy.

DOC Golden Bay manager John Mason does not know how long it will take to wipe out the infestation.