9 Signs You Have Bed Bugs in Your Home
Do you know the warning signs of bed bugs in your home? As a homeowner, you don’t want to consider the possibility that bed bugs have invaded your space. Unfortunately, these elusive pests are more common than you may realize.
According to the National Pest Management Association’s Bugs Without Borders survey, it’s estimated that 1 out of 5 people in the U.S. has had a bed bug infestation (or knows someone who has). And if you don’t know how to recognize the signs you have bed bugs, the situation can quickly become a nightmare.
The good news is that early detection can help prevent a full-blown bed bug infestation. By checking your house regularly, you can spot red flags fast and take action to protect your household.
9 Signs You Have Bed Bugs
If you’ve never had a bed bug problem, you probably assume it’s pretty easy to diagnose the problem. However, people can have bed bugs and not realize it. That’s mainly because these pesky critters are active at night and great at hiding during the day.
It’s also helpful to know and understand what attracts bed bugs - refer to our article here for more information on that.
Below are 9 signs you have bed bugs in your home. Any of these clues can indicate the presence of bed bugs. If you notice any of these signs, contact a professional right away!
1. Bites on Your Skin
One of the early signs of bed bugs in the home is bites on your skin. These pests feed on human blood when people are sleeping, resulting in unexplained marks on the body. Generally, bed bug bites can occur anywhere there’s exposed skin, including the neck, face, shoulders, legs, and arms.
Bites from a bed bug usually have the following characteristics:
Redness
Itchiness
Small, raised welts
Clutter or zig-zag pattern
It’s worth noting that reactions to bed bug bites can differ from person to person. According to entomologist Kenneth Haynes, roughly 30% of people don’t have a reaction at all—even small welts. And older individuals tend to be less reactive than others.
Bed bugs use a natural numbing agent during feeding, so the bites themselves won’t wake you up. You may not even notice them until a few days later. But if you spot unusual bite marks in the morning, it may be a sign you have bed bugs.
2. stains on Your Sheets
Another possible indication of bed bugs is blood stains on your sheets, pillow, or even pajamas. As mentioned above, bed bugs survive by feeding on (typically) human hosts. While you’re fast asleep, they probe your skin to find a good place to bite.
During this process, they fill up with blood, which means they can leave behind remnants of their meal. If you roll over on them before they can scurry away, it can also cause some of the blood to seep out.
It’s recommended that you inspect your bedding and clothes regularly for small, dark-red smears or spots. These stains are often found at the head and foot of the bed. If you come across bloodstains without a clear clause, you might have a bed bug problem.
3. Musty Odor in Your Room
Did you know that bed bugs can cause a room to smell?
The scent given off by bed bugs can vary depending on factors such as your sense of smell, the size of the infestation, and the state of the bed bugs. According to experts, the most common smells caused by bed bugs include the following:
Sweet, musty odor - This usually indicates a large infestation.
Coriander scent - This is when pheromones are released to alert other bugs to danger.
Odor is one of the most overlooked signs you have bed bugs in your home, as you could miss it or mistake the scent for something else. However, it’s best to investigate if you notice any unusual smells in your bedroom. If you can’t find a cause for the smell, it may be time to call a professional.
4. Visible Bed Bug Shells
One of the surest signs you have bed bugs in your home is when you notice empty shells (or old skins). These insects shed their outer skin five times (a process called molting) before reaching adulthood. And each time, they leave the old shell behind.
Bed bug shells tend to be easier to find than bed bugs themselves. They look just like bed bugs, but they’re a translucent, pale-yellow color. However, the sizes can vary based on when the bug molted.
To look for shells, check under beds, behind headboards, around mattress seams, and within upholstered furniture—basically, hard-to-reach places where bed bugs like to hide. If you do find some, don’t remove them yourself! Doing so can scare the bugs, cause them to scatter, and spread the infestation.
5. Bed Bug Eggs on Surfaces
Along with discarded shells, you should also watch for bed bug eggs. Female bed bugs can lay between 1 and 7 eggs per day. So, if you don’t take action fast, you could end up with a major infestation. Here are some common features of bed bug eggs:
About 1 mm in length
Whitish in color
Look like grains of rice
The eggs can be tough to spot. Due to their pearly white color, they can blend in with light-colored bedding. Plus, they can be found on virtually any surface. The eggs are covered in a sticky substance, so they can adhere to walls, ceilings, and even the underside of drawers.
When checking your home for signs you have bed bugs, pay close attention to vertical surfaces and cracks and crevices in your bedroom. Female bed bugs usually lay their eggs near their food supply. Like shells, you want to avoid removing them until you can bring in an exterminator.
6. Dark Spots on Furniture
If you notice dark spots on bedding and furniture, this could be another indicator of bed bugs. Just like any other creature, bed bugs have to eliminate their waste somehow. Unfortunately, that trail of fecal matter can be left behind on soft surfaces and even walls.
Unlike bloodstains, fecal spots are usually dark brown or black, especially when they’re older. They’re also very small and resemble ink stains. Additionally, they tend to occur in groups of 10 or more.
It’s a good idea to inspect areas around your bed for bed bug droppings. You can confirm fecal spotting by wiping the marks with a damp cloth. The waste has a liquid consistency, so it will smear rather than flake off.
7. Unexplained Allergic Reactions
As mentioned before, people can react differently to bed bug bites. In some cases, people can experience an allergic reaction. Such reactions can range from mild to severe, but they tend to be more noticeable than the typical results of bites.
Here are some symptoms of an allergic reaction to bed bugs:
Inflammation and swelling of the skin
Fluid-filled rash
Breathing difficulties
Fever
Hives
It’s important to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect you have an allergic reaction.
8. Yellow, Rust-Like Stains on Bedding
Although we’ve talked about bloodstains and fecal spots, there’s another type of stain to keep an eye out for. Yellow, rust-like stains on bedding can occur when droppings smear and fade over time. It can also be caused by crushed eggs or shells.
If you see this type of stain on your sheets, pillowcases, or other bedding—and can’t identify another cause—it could be a sign you have bed bugs.
9. Live Bed Bugs
Finally, the biggest indicator of bed bugs is the discovery of live ones. Even if there are other signs you have bed bugs, seeing activity can leave you certain your suspicions are correct. But this can be easier said than done.
For starters, identifying bed bugs can be a challenge. There are several insects that look like bed bugs, including baby cockroaches, booklice, and spider beetles. So, it’s important to know what to keep an eye out for. Traits of bed bugs include the following:
Small (¼ inch long, or the size of an apple seed)
Reddish-brown in color
Flat, oval-shaped
Wingless
It can also be tough to find bed bugs, especially during the day. These insects are nocturnal and hide away from lights. So, your best bet is to conduct a quick inspection in the early morning. But no matter when you look, it’s important to check out the most popular hiding spots. These include between your mattress and box spring, around your bed frame, under cushions, and even in drawers.
What to Do If You Have Bed BugS?
If you notice one or more of the signs you have bed bugs above, don’t panic! Instead, contact a reputable pest control company. A bed bug preparation professional will be able to inspect your home, confirm your suspicions, and explain what treatments are available.
And to ensure complete bed bug eradication, reach out to Advanced Bed Bug Preparation before your treatment. Our team can help get your home ready via our thorough bed bug preparation and laundry treatment services to reduce the risks of re-infestation. We’ve given peace of mind to countless individuals throughout Oshkosh, Fond Du Lac, Sheboygan, Appleton, Green Bay, and Northeast Wisconsin, and we can do the same for you!
Related: How Do Bed Bugs Travel
