Signs of Bed Bugs

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Signs you have bed bugs Active Pest Control

Bed bugs are quick movers, and an infestation can begin without your knowledge, seemingly from nowhere. These pests are skilled at hiding in cracks, crevices, and even in the seams of your mattress, making them difficult to spot. 

Because of their ability to stay out of sight, bed bugs can silently multiply, leading to a full-blown infestation before you realize what’s happening. By being proactive and looking out for the early signs of bed bugs, you can protect your home and prevent further spread.

Contact our experts at Active Pest Control for help with your bed bug problem today.

How To Check For Bed Bugs

If you think you might have a bed bug infestation, it’s important to act fast and thoroughly inspect your home. Bed bugs are expert hiders, and they can squeeze into the tiniest cracks and crevices, making them difficult to spot. 

Here’s where you should look to check for bed bugs:

Image of a hand with a magnifying glass looking at red bed bugs on a mattressBeds and Bedding

Start with the bed, as it’s where bed bugs are most likely to be. Check the seams and stitching on your mattress, as well as the box spring and bed frame. 

Pay attention to small cracks and folds, where bed bugs tend to hide. Look for signs like blood stains, rust-colored spots (which are bed bug droppings), or even live bed bugs. 

Don’t forget to check underneath the bed and in the headboard if it’s a wooden or upholstered one.

Image of a hand with a magnifying glass looking at red bed bugs on a couchFurniture

Bed bugs aren’t picky about where they hide—they’ll settle in any furniture where people spend time. 

Couches, armchairs, and any upholstered furniture should be checked closely. Inspect the seams, cushions, and crevices between them. 

Use a flashlight to look in dark corners and under the furniture for any signs of bed bugs or their eggs.

Image of a woman’s hand showing a crack in a black leather sofaCracks and Crevices

Bed bugs love to hide in tiny spaces, so be sure to check along baseboards, window sills, and in the cracks between walls, floors, and ceilings. They often hide in these places because they’re undisturbed and near where humans sleep or rest.

Don’t overlook light switches, electrical outlets, or behind any furniture or appliances near your bed.

Image of a vacuum running over a carpetCarpets and Rugs

While bed bugs prefer to stay close to where people sleep, a larger infestation may spread to carpets or rugs. Check the edges of carpets, especially near walls, and lift rugs to inspect the floor beneath. 

Look for any dark spots, eggs, or bugs themselves. Be thorough and check areas close to where you sleep.

Image of a plug socket power outlet against a white wallElectrical Outlets and Plug Sockets

Though it may seem unlikely, bed bugs can hide in electrical outlets and plug sockets. 

Use a flashlight to check around outlet covers and remove them carefully if necessary. 

This area is often overlooked, but it’s a prime hiding spot for bed bugs, especially in the early stages of an infestation.

 

Image of white, frilly curtains against sunny windowsCurtains and Drapes

Bed bugs can also hide in the folds of curtains and drapes, especially if they’re located near your bed or seating areas. 

Look for dark spots or blood stains on the fabric, as well as any sign of the bugs themselves. Since curtains are often undisturbed, they provide a perfect hiding spot for bed bugs.

Image of the legs of a female walking with a yellow suitcase in a train station

Luggage and Travel Items

If you’ve recently traveled, check your luggage and any travel bags for bed bugs. Look carefully at the seams, zippers, and compartments. 

Bed bugs are known to hitch rides on luggage, so when you return home, be sure to inspect your bags thoroughly to avoid introducing them into your home.

Image of blank picture frame, books, lamp, and vintage flip clock on white table against wallBehind Wallpaper and Picture Frames

Bed bugs can hide in the most unexpected places, such as behind wallpaper or inside picture frames. 

If you suspect a more serious infestation, try gently peeling back wallpaper or looking behind pictures to see if there’s any evidence of bed bugs. These hidden areas provide an easy refuge for bed bugs, especially in the early stages of an infestation.

 

Use a flashlight to see into dark crevices and thoroughly inspect all potential hiding spots. 

Early detection is one of the ways to prevent a full-blown infestation. Want to know more? Learn more about bed bug prevention methods.

Signs of a Bed Bug Infestation

It is crucial to recognize a bed bug infestation as early as possible, as these pests can quickly multiply from a small problem to a large one. 

Within a short time frame, a few bed bugs can become a full-blown infestation, making eradication more challenging and costly. If left unchecked, bed bugs can spread throughout your home, invading your furniture, walls, and electrical outlets. 

Everyone in a household must know what bed bugs look like so that everyone in the house can be on alert for these bugs. Some of the most telling bed bugs signs to look for include:

1. Blood Stains

Bed bugs feed on blood, typically at night when their hosts are asleep. After feeding, they often leave behind small blood stains on your bedding or pajamas. 

These stains are typically small, reddish-brown spots caused by crushed bed bugs during or after feeding. 

Blood stains in your bed could be one of the first key signs that you have a bed bug infestation. It’s important to inspect your sheets, pillows, and mattress for these telltale spots, especially if you wake up with new, unexplained bites.

2. Fecal Remains

Bed bugs leave fecal remains wherever they hide or travel. These small, dark spots—often the size of a pinhead—are a clear sign of a bed bug infestation. 

The feces are typically brown or black and can be found along the edges of mattresses, in the seams, on the bed frame, and in cracks or crevices around the room. These stains may be dark, rusty, or black, depending on the age of the feces, and can be mistaken for mold or dirt. The presence of these remains is an unmistakable sign that bed bugs are present.

3. Bed Bug Eggs and Egg Shells

When bed bugs first appear in a home, they will usually be in a batch of tiny white eggs. These eggs can be found on clothing, in the seams of bags, along with the stitching of a sleeping bag, and other hiding places.

Bed bug eggs are small, pearly white, and about the size of a grain of rice—approximately 1mm in length. Bed bugs typically lay their eggs in hidden crevices, like cracks in the bed frame, behind headboards, and inside furniture. 

Female bed bugs can lay up to 5 eggs per day, and these eggs can hatch within 6-10 days, depending on the environment. The eggs are often attached to surfaces by a sticky substance, making them hard to remove. If you spot multiple eggs, it indicates an established infestation that is likely to grow rapidly.

4. Bed Bug Shells & Casings

As bed bugs mature, they shed their exoskeletons in a process called molting. These small, pale shells (or casings) are left behind as they progress through their life stages. The casings are about the size of a bed bug itself, with a light brown or translucent appearance. 

These discarded shells are often found in places where bed bugs hide, such as in the seams of mattresses, behind furniture, or in cracks along the walls. 

Spotting bed bug casings can indicate that an infestation has been present for some time and is likely to have spread. 

5. Living Bed Bugs

When bed bugs hatch, they are tiny six-legged, pale insects with transparent skin. If you see a tiny pale insect with a bright red abdomen and six legs feeding on your skin, it is important to recognize it as a bed bug. An adult bed bug is oval, rust-colored, with horizontal creases on its abdomen. If it has had a blood meal, it will appear redder in color and have a pill-shaped appearance. Learn more about identifying bed bug bites.

Bed bugs are attracted to the carbon dioxide that humans exhale while sleeping, and they tend to hide in cracks and crevices near their feeding source If you spot living bed bugs, particularly in your bed, furniture, or dark places like cracks in walls, it’s a strong indication of an active infestation. 

The number of bed bugs you see and how often you spot them can suggest the severity of the infestation.  Learn more about the bed bug treatment options we offer at Active Pest Control.

What to Do If You Spot Signs of Bed Bugs

If you’ve noticed the signs you have bed bugs in your home and make the link between your bites and these bugs, it’s time to call a professional. Bed bugs are extremely difficult to eradicate, and DIY pest methods often lead to prolonged infestation and uncomfortable bites. 

At Active Pest Control, our bed bug service is developed by industry experts and designed to eradicate bed bugs—not repel them—from one room to another or from one apartment to another. We rely on conventional application measures and heat treatments to ensure that no bugs escape treatment.

We will look for all signs you have bed bugs and ensure you are left bed bug-free! Contact us today for bed bug treatment.

FAQs

What are the first signs of bed bugs?

Some initial signs include small blood stains on your bedding, dark fecal spots, and bed bug eggs or casings. You may also notice bites on your skin, usually in clusters or lines. 

These signs are often found in the areas where bed bugs hide, such as seams in your mattress or furniture crevices.

How do you check if you have bugs in your bed?

Thoroughly inspect the seams, folds, and stitching of your mattress and box spring. Look for dark stains, which could be fecal remains or blood spots. 

Use a flashlight to inspect the bed frame and surrounding furniture, paying attention to cracks and hidden areas where bed bugs might hide.

Is it obvious if you have bed bugs?

It may not always be obvious if you have bed bugs. Since these pests are nocturnal and often hide in small cracks and crevices, their presence can be difficult to detect early. 

However, signs like bites, blood stains, and fecal spots on your bedding are red flags that an infestation might be present.

You can also use bed bug traps or call a pest control expert for a professional inspection.

What if I think I have bed bugs but can’t find any?

If you suspect a bed bug infestation but can’t find any, don’t ignore the signs. Bed bugs are excellent at hiding, especially in the early stages of an infestation. Look for indirect signs such as bites, blood stains, or fecal marks. 

If you still can’t find any bugs, it’s a good idea to contact a pest control professional for a thorough inspection.

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