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Signs of Bed Bugs - A Complete Guide

Bed Bug Infestation Signs

Bed bugs will hide in very small cracks and crevices and will usually visit their hosts a few hours before dusk to feed on their blood. Signs of bed bugs are very easy for pest control professionals to spot, but for the untrained person, it can be more difficult.

Here are some common signs of bed bugs.

The presence of live or dead bed bugs
The presence of live or dead bed bugs

Sign of bed bugs 1: The presence of live or dead bed bugs

Adult bed bugs are approximately ¼ - inch long (6.35 mm) – about the size of an apple seed – and
reddish-brown in color. Nymphs, or young bed bugs, can be translucent to pale yellow or tan in color, and smaller than their adult counterparts. All are visible to the naked eye.

Fecal Smears
Fecal Smears

Sign of bed bugs 2: Fecal smears

When bed bugs defecate, they leave behind “smears” of black fecal matter (in layman’s terms – poop). These smears may resemble what would happen if you touched a permanent marker to a piece of fabric.

Bed bug eggs
Bed bug eggs

Sign of bed bugs 3: Bed bug eggs

Bed bug eggs are pearly white and visible to the naked eye, although harder to detect because of their size – about 1/32-inch long (0.79375 mm), or approximately half the size of a grain of rice. They are typically found grouped together in clusters.

Odor may indicate the presence of bed bugs
Odor may indicate the presence of bed bugs

Sign of bed bugs 4: Odor

In extremely large infestations, a musty smell or odor similar to coriander or cilantro may indicate the presence of bed bugs.

Cast skin of bed bugs
Cast skin of bed bugs

Sign of bed bugs 5: Cast skin

Bed bugs molt as they grow, and when they do, they shed their skin and leave behind a “cast skin,” either as a whole shell or flakes of their previous skin.

Blood stains (Infrequent)
Blood stains (Infrequent)

Sign of bed bugs 6: Blood Stains

Small blood stains can be left behind on sheets or fabric when bite sites ooze or when humans unknowingly smash a bed bug.

Have you Spotted Bed Bugs?

Call Rentokil today for advice and to schedule a bed bug inspection of your home or business.

Where Will I Find Bed Bugs?

  • On the bed frame and mattress: Bed bugs tend to breed in all areas of the bed, mainly on the bedpan, mattress and mattress seams. You can check the cracks in the bed frame and headboard, the seams around the edges of the mattress and inside the headboard, and the bottom of the mattress itself. In addition, the seams of mattresses and pillows can be a hotbed for bed bugs.
  • Around the floor: Bed bugs can breed on carpets or mats, in wood floors, and even in skirting.
  • On walls: inside cracks in damaged walls, behind peeling wallpaper, or behind wooden decorative frames.
  • Inside closets and cabinets: inside drawers and cabinets and inside closets. The main thing you need to pay attention to is the location of the gap.
  • Inside electrical outlets or their accessories
  • Furniture joints: including gaps between cabinets and between walls and floors.
  • Sofa: Bed bugs can be found on sofa seams, the back of sofa covers and zippers.

Checklist for Finding Bed Bugs

bed bug hot spots

Soft furniture

Bed bugs hideout 1: Soft furniture
Bed bugs hideout 1: Soft furniture
  • Inspect edges of cushions or pillows, especially around zippers
  • Lift up cushions and inspect seams, edges, and cracks of furniture

Lockers, storage cubbies, or cabinets

Bed bug hideout 2: Lockers, storage cubbies, or cabinets
Bed bug hideout 2: Lockers, storage cubbies, or cabinets
  • Conduct regular locker or storage cubby clean-outs – at least monthly
  • Once all items are removed, inspect lockers, cubbies, and cabinets

Mattress

Bed bug hideout 3: Mattress
Bed bug hideout 3: Mattress
  • Look for small blood spots or smears on sheets
  • Inspect mattress seams, creases, edges, folds, tufts, areas around zippers, and tags
  • Lift up and look under the mattress
  • Look for fecal smears, which will appear as black marks (similar to if a permanent marker had been touched to the fabric)
  • Look for living or dead insects or cast skins

Box spring

Bed bug hideout 4: Box spring
Bed bug hideout 4: Box spring
  • Inspect seams, creases, edges, folds, tufts, and tags

Bed frame

Bed bug hideout 5: Bed frame
Bed bug hideout 5: Bed frame

Inspect slats, rails, or platforms

Headboard

Bed bug hideout 6: Headboard
Bed bug hideout 6: Headboard
  • Inspect the wall behind the headboard and the back side of the headboard, if possible
  • Inspect any cracks or crevices, along the edges of the headboard
  • Inspect in any intricate designs on the sides or front of the headboard

Baseboards / Floor / Wall near bed

Bed bug hideout 6: Baseboards / Floor / Wall near bed
Bed bug hideout 6: Baseboards / Floor / Wall near bed

• Inspect the floor and baseboard coverings under and behind the bed
• Inspect the carpet for any live or dead insects before vacuuming
• Inspect any outlet covers

Furniture near bed

Bed bug hideout 8: Furniture near bed
Bed bug hideout 8: Furniture near bed
  • Inspect drawers, drawer rails/rollers, cabinets
  • Inspect any accessories or decorative items on furniture next to bed: alarm clocks, charging stations, lights, picture

Closet

Bed bug hideout 9: Closet
Bed bug hideout 9: Closet
  • Inspect the luggage rack, particularly where webbing/straps connect to the rack
  • Inspect carpet/floor for any live or dead insects before vacuuming

Dressers and wardrobes

Bed bug hideout 10: Dressers and wardrobes
Bed bug hideout 10: Dressers and wardrobes
  • Inspect drawers and drawer rails
  • Inspect inside cabinets
  • Inspect where furniture meets the floor

 

What Should I Do After Finding Bed Bugs?

If you're not sure how to deal with bed bug-infested furniture in your home, you'll need to clean thoroughly and keep these areas sanitary and ventilated if you want to get rid of bed bugs quickly.

  • Washing - Take out the cushion coverings of any other removable components from the bed, chair, sofa, couch, etc. and put them in the washing machine, disinfect bedding at 60°C for 90 minutes.
  • Heating – Put bedding and cushions in a dryer. Run them on high heat for at least 30 minutes to completely eradicate bed bugs in all life stages. Regular bed bugs are dried at 60°C for 30 minutes or more, while "super bed bugs" recently discovered in Japan and Korea are more resistant and may require 90°C drying to get rid of.
  • Vacuum - Vacuum beds, mattresses, and other areas where bed bugs may be found. Use a vacuum hose to clean the walls and edges. Then, go outside of the house and empty the vacuum cleaner dust bin.

What To Avoid When Dealing With Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are resistant to many chemicals, and many of the chemicals available on the market have not performed well in practice. Recent discoveries of "super bed bugs" in various countries have even been reported to be completely immune to commonly prescribed bed bug chemicals.

The following protocols should be avoided as they may cause further spread of the infection and pose a risk to your family and pets.

  • Do not spray insecticides or pesticides indoors. Commercially available pesticides and insecticides do not penetrate deep enough into the furniture and may not kill all the pests. Spraying indoors may cause health hazards to your family members by inhaling the pesticides.
  • Do not dispose of infected furniture, as this will not only spread the infestation to other areas of the house as the furniture moves but also spread bed bugs to public areas. 

Damage and Consequences of Bed Bugs Infestation

  1. Health Issues: While bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases, their bites can cause itching, redness, and swelling. Some individuals may experience severe allergic reactions requiring medical attention. The psychological impact can also include anxiety, stress, and sleep disturbances, I mean, heavily disturbed.

  2. Spread and Infestation: Bed bugs reproduce quickly, A single bed bug can convert into an infestation in just 10 weeks (and by then will have started to invade neighboring rooms), so the need is to discover any infestation as soon as possible so that the risk of bed bug bites can be reduced. Without prompt treatment, a small problem can escalate into an outbreak throughout a home or building, making it more difficult and expensive to eliminate. 

  3. Economic Costs: The longer bed bugs are present, the more costly it can be to eradicate them due to their growing numbers and the potential need for more extensive pest control measures, including professional extermination services, replacement of furniture, and sometimes even temporary relocation costs.

  4. Property Damage: Over time, bed bugs can infest mattresses, furniture, curtains, and even walls and electrical outlets, leading to damage and decreased property value. Infested items often must be discarded to fully address the problem.

  5. Reputation Damage: For businesses, especially in the hospitality industry, bed bug infestations can damage reputation, deter customers, and result in negative reviews, which can have a long-term impact on business and revenue.

damage-and-consequences-of-bed-bug-infestation

Have You Noticed These Signs?

An inspection by Rentokil will help to confirm a problem and enable our Service Technicians to offer the best solution.

As part of our bed bug pest control services, Rentokil also passes on our expertise in the form of training for your staff on bed bug early warning signs. Contact our team to find out more.

Call Rentokil today for advice and to schedule a bed bug inspection of your home or business.

Bed Bug Control Services

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