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Get rid of bed bugs
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Bed bugs can pose operational, financial, and reputational challenges for businesses if left undetected. Understanding how to check for bed bugs is an essential step in protecting your employees, customers, tenants, and brand. By knowing what signs of bed bugs to look for and where to inspect, businesses can identify potential issues earlier and respond before activity spreads.
If you suspect bed bug activity or want added peace of mind, contact Rentokil for a professional, thorough inspection. Our experts will determine which commercial bed bug treatments are best for your property and recommend tips to prevent future infestations.
Signs of bed bugs checklist
Bed bug bites
Bites are often one of the first signs of bed bugs people notice, but they are not always a reliable way to confirm an infestation. Bed bug bites are difficult to distinguish from other insect bites, so they should not be used as the only indicator of an infestation. If bites are present, it’s important to also look for other signs of bed bug activity to confirm their presence.
When reactions occur, bites often appear as small red marks that may be flat or raised. Common symptoms can include itching, swelling, irritation, or small welts, though reactions vary widely – some people may have little to no reaction at all.
Live or dead bed bugs
One of the most reliable ways to confirm a bed bug problem is by finding live or dead bed bugs. Bed bugs are about 3/16” long, or about the size of an apple seed, which can make them difficult to spot.
They have a flat, oval-shaped body, reddish-brown coloring, and no wings. Because bed bugs are primarily active at night and tend to stay hidden during the day, professional inspections are recommended. Our experts know how to check for bed bugs and can accurately identify and confirm activity.
Common insects that are often confused with bed bugs include:
- Bat bugs
- Carpet beetles
- Ticks
- Swallow bugs
Fecal spotting
Bed bug fecal stains can look like small black marks resembling ink dots, while on hard surfaces, they may look like tiny dark spots or clustered specks. Fecal stains can be found anywhere bed bugs may hide. Depending on the property type, stains can be found in mattress seams, office chairs, upholstered furniture, headboards, wall joints, and electrical outlets.
Cast skins
Shed bed bug skins (exoskeletons) are a common sign of an active or developing infestation. Shed skins are typically light tan to translucent in color and range in size from about 1/16” to 3/16” long (about the size of a coarse grain of sand to an apple seed). They can be found in mattress seams, upholstered furniture, headboards, baseboards, wall cracks, electrical outlets, behind wall fixtures, and along flooring edges.
Blood smears
When bed bugs are crushed, they can leave behind small blood stains on nearby surfaces. These stains are most often found on bedding, mattresses, upholstered furniture, cubicle or office chairs, and along wall or baseboard edges. However, it can be difficult to determine whether blood smears are caused solely by bed bugs, so they should be evaluated alongside other signs of activity.
What should I do if I think I’ve found signs of bed bugs?
​​If you suspect your business has bed bugs, act quickly while avoiding actions that could spread activity to new areas. Until pest professionals arrive, businesses should:
- Report and document immediately: Have staff report sightings, bites, or complaints and document room/unit numbers/cubicles, dates, and locations. Property managers should educate teams on how to check for bed bugs.
- Limit access to affected areas: If possible, temporarily take rooms, units, or workspaces out of service to help reduce spread.
- Avoid moving items between areas: Do not move furniture, linens, or equipment from suspected areas to clean areas.
- Seal and contain materials: Place potentially infested linens or soft goods in sealed bags until they can be handled appropriately or laundered.
- Pause deep cleaning or DIY treatments: Vacuuming or moving items without professional help can spread bed bugs to new locations.
- Communicate internally (as appropriate): Alert relevant management or facilities teams so response protocols can be followed.
Taking quick containment steps while waiting for professional inspection can help limit the spread and protect occupants.