Finding out you are being bitten at night by bed bugs is a terrifying thought that results in sleep interruption, paranoia, insomnia, anxiety, and even degrees of PTSD. It is critical to identify a bed bug problem early to increase your chance of successful eradication.
Without understanding how to check for bed bugs, problematic areas may be overlooked, allowing populations to return. If you are seeing unexplained bites after waking up, inspect for bed bugs immediately.
Finding bed bugs is best done during the day because bed bugs hide during daytime hours and there is enough light. Daytime inspections require preparation and knowing what to look for.
Wear protective gloves to prevent actual contact if bed bugs are discovered. This allows you to check stains to see if they smear and explore areas without fear of touching live bed bugs. Use a flashlight to inspect dark areas.
Bites alone are not always a sign of bed bugs. Fleas, ticks, or mosquitoes could be the cause. Look for additional signs like feces stains, blood spots, eggs, molted skins, or live bugs to confirm bed bugs.
Bed bugs are attracted to warmth and CO2 and generally stay near their food source. Use a flashlight to check these common areas:
Check bedding for blood stains from recent bites or smashed bed bugs while feeding.
A professional inspection finds all problematic areas for effective treatment.
Call (866) 326-2847When an infestation gets out of hand with too many bed bugs in one area, they expand their territory and explore other places:
Tip: Bed bugs are drawn to tight spaces for safe hiding and egg laying. Check where wooden framing meets, inside screw holes, and pull out drawers to inspect joints underneath.
The best way to prevent bed bugs is to never introduce them. Since bed bugs hitchhike from accommodations while traveling, know how to check hotel rooms, motels, and Airbnbs.
Leave luggage on tiled floor if possible. Do not store on luggage racks (bed bugs hide in crevices) or desks/dressers. Never place luggage on the bed or furniture before inspection.
After returning home: Even if inspection found nothing, wash and dry all luggage contents on high heat to kill any hitchhiking bed bugs.
Secondhand furniture that is too cheap or free on the roadside may be infested. If the furniture has bed bugs, you will be introducing a massive infestation into your home.
If you have found signs of bed bug activity, getting a professional inspection is recommended. Trying to treat without understanding all hiding places will likely leave remaining bed bugs to repopulate. Our licensed and trained exterminators know exactly where to look.
Yes, adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and visible with the naked eye. Younger bed bugs (nymphs) are smaller but still visible upon close inspection. Knowing where to look is the hardest part about finding them.
Bed bugs remain hidden while laying eggs but come out when it is time to feed on their next blood meal. They sense a host nearby through the warmth of a body and the CO2 exhaled when we breathe.
