How Do You Know If You Have Bed Bugs: Where To Look & What To Look For

To be absolutely certain you have bed bugs, you need to actually see the bed bugs, their nymphs, or their eggs. While signs like bites, exoskeletons, and blood stains can indicate an infestation, they can also be caused by other insects.

Therefore, the most reliable way to confirm a bed bug problem is by directly spotting the bed bugs themselves.

To determine how do you know if you have bed bugs, look for a few key signs. These signs will help you confirm whether you have a bed bug problem.

What Are Bed Bugs And What Do They Look Like

Bed Bugs Appearance: How Do You Know If You Have Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that can be easily overlooked due to their size and color.

Here’s a detailed description:

• Shape and Size: Adult bed bugs are small, oval-shaped insects measuring 5-7 mm, with dark brown colouring, six legs, and two antennae. They feed on humans and pets during the night. Their eggs are translucent white and about 1 mm in size. When these eggs hatch, the first-stage nymphs are translucent yellow and turn medium brown after their initial blood meal.
• Colour: Adult bed bugs are dark brown, their eggs are translucent white, and the first-stage nymphs are translucent yellow and turn medium brown after their first blood meal.
• Wings: Bed bugs do not have wings; they are wingless insects.
• Legs and Antennae: They have six legs and two antennae.
• Body Features: They have a segmented body with a noticeable head and a distinctive, shield-like shape on their back.
• Bites: Bed bug bites often cause red, itchy welts on the skin, typically appearing in clusters or lines.

Bed Bug Picture Gallery

Our picture gallery has images of them from the top, underneath, side, while feeding, squashed, the life cycle and more.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Where Do Bed Bugs Hide & Where To Find Them

Preferred Nesting Areas: How Do You Know If You Have Bed Bugs?

Finding bed bugs requires careful inspection of various areas where they might hide. Here are key places to check:

• Mattress and Ensemble Base: Look along the seams, tags, and underneath. Bed bugs often hide in the crevices and stitching.
• Bed Frame: Examine the joints, corners, and any cracks or crevices where bed bugs might be hiding.
• Headboard: Check the back and sides, especially if it’s a wooden headboard with gaps.
• Bedding: Inspect all bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and blankets, for signs of bed bugs or their droppings.
• Furniture: Look in and around other furniture items, especially upholstered ones. Bed bugs can also hide in the seams of chairs and sofas.
• Carpets and Rugs: Check along the edges and underneath carpets and rugs.
• Skirtng Boards and Wall Cracks: Bed bugs can hide in cracks in walls or behind skirting.
• Electrical Outlets and Light Switches: Bed bugs can hide behind electrical plates or inside wall sockets.
• If you find any signs of bed bugs, such as small brown spots (fecal matter), shed skins, or live insects, it’s important to address the issue promptly, as bed bugs can spread quickly.

Image Gallery: Signs of Bed Bugs And Where They Hide

Click on image to enlarge

How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs Fast?

Here’s how to get rid of bed bugs quickly:

• Steam: Use a steamer for bed bugs to kill the bed bugs instantly.
• Diatomaceous Earth: Dust DE on and around your bed frame to kill bed bugs long term.
• Mattress Encasements: Use a bed bug cover to trap and kill bed bugs on the mattress instantly.
• Create Barriers: Isolate the bed and use bed bug traps on the bed legs to stop and kill bed bugs trying to walk up them.
• Clean Up: Remove clutter from your room, especially near your bed.
• Vacuum Thoroughly: Vacuum your carpets, floors, furniture, and mattress thoroughly. Throw away the vacuum bag right away.
• Wash and Dry: Wash your bedding, clothes, and other fabric items in hot water, then dry them on the highest heat setting..
• Seal Cracks: Use caulk to seal any cracks in your walls or furniture where bed bugs could hide.

How To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs Fast & Forever

Step 1: Secure the Mattress

Cover your sleeping mattress with a mattress cover. This will trap and kill by starving them.

Step 2: Treat the Bed Frame

Use a Steamer to steam the entire bed frame to kill them instantly.

Dust the entire bed frame with Diatomaceous Earth (Killer powder) using a powder duster to kill bed bugs.

Step 3: Set Up Barriers or Tape

To protect yourself from bedbugs in the room, use our barriers:

Floor Barriers:

Place bed legs in the Floor Barrier, dusting powder inside the tray and barrier.

Barrier Tape:

For bed legs larger than 65mm, use our barrier tape and dust the powder around the bed leg and floor.

Keep your bed at least 30cm away from walls and other furniture.

Should I Wash My Sheets If I Have Bed Bugs?

• Yes, you should wash your sheets if you have bed bugs. Use hot water and dry them on the highest setting. This will kill any bedbugs and their eggs. Also, wash and dry other items like pillowcases, blankets, and clothes to make sure they are bug-free.
• Additionally, treat your mattress, bed frame and room as part of the process.

How To Dispose Of Bed Bugs?

Disposing of bed bugs can be a meticulous process, but it’s essential to ensure that these pesky critters are thoroughly eliminated to prevent re-infestation. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to effectively dispose of bed bugs:

• Carefully inspect your home to determine where the bed bugs are hiding. Common spots include mattresses, bed bases, bed frames, furniture, and cracks in walls and floors.
• Isolate: Bag all infested items in plastic bags to prevent bed bugs from spreading to other areas.
• High Heat: Wash infested clothing, bedding, and other washable items in hot water (at least 60°C). The heat will kill bed bugs at all life stages.
• Dry Thoroughly: Dry these items on the highest heat setting for at least 30 minutes. The heat from the dryer is very effective at killing bed bugs.
• Vacuum: Use a vacuum to thoroughly clean infested areas, including mattresses, furniture, carpets, and cracks. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately in a sealed plastic bag.
• Steam Clean: Steam cleaning can be an effective way to kill bed bugs and their eggs.

Do Bed Bugs Stay On Your Body?

• No, bed bugs don’t live on your body like lice or ticks. They bite you while you sleep and then hide in places like your mattress, bed frame, or furniture. But they can cling to your clothes and belongings, which is how they spread.

Do You Have To Throw Away Your Clothes If You Have Bed Bugs?

No, you don’t need to throw away your clothes if you have bed bugs.

Instead, you can save your clothes by following these steps:

• Wash and Dry: Wash your clothes in warm soapy water and dry them on the highest heat setting. This will eliminate the bed bugs and their eggs.
• Heat Treatment: For items that cannot be washed, you can put them in a dryer on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
• Dry Cleaning: Take your clothes to a dry cleaner if they can’t be washed or dried at high temperatures.
• Sealing Items: If you can’t wash or heat-treat certain items, you can seal them in plastic bags for a few months. The bedbugs will eventually die from a lack of food and being sealed in.
• Freezer: For delicate clothes that you cant wash, seal them in a plastic bag and place in the freezer for four days.

By doing these things, you can keep your clothes and still get rid of the bed bugs.

Can I Still Go To Work If I Have Bed Bugs?

Yes, you can still go to work if you have bed bugs.

However, to avoid spreading them, make sure to take some precautions:

• Check Your Clothes Inspect your clothes before leaving the house to make sure no bed bugs are clinging to them.
• Use a Sealed Bag: Keep your work clothes in a sealed plastic bag until you put them on. This will stop bed bugs from getting on your clothes.
• Be Careful with Personal Items: Avoid bringing infested items to work, like bags or purses. If you must bring these items, keep them in sealed plastic bags.
• Tell Your Employer: Let your boss know about the situation so they can be aware and take any necessary precautions.

By taking these steps, you can help stop bed bugs from spreading to your workplace while you work on getting rid of them at home.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How long after being bitten by a bed bug does it show?
   Bed bug bites generally appear within a few hours to a couple of days after being bitten. The timing can vary depending on an individual’s sensitivity and reaction to the bites. Some people might notice the bites almost immediately, while others may not see any visible signs for several days.
2. What do I need to know about bed bugs?
   Bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices, especially in mattresses and furniture. Signs include rust-coloured stains, shed skins, a musty odor, and bites, though reactions vary. They don’t transmit diseases but can cause itching and discomfort, leading to stress.
3. How long until you know bed bugs are gone?
   Monitor: Keep an eye out for new bites, live bugs, or droppings, Inspect: Regularly check your bedding and furniture for several weeks, Re-Treatment: If signs persist, additional treatments may be needed.

In summary, knowing that bed bugs are completely gone typically involves a period of several weeks of no signs of infestation, combined with regular inspections and possibly professional verification.

Are You Looking for an Organic DIY Treatment?

DIY Treatment Video For An Ensemble Bed

DIY Treatment Video For A Bed with Slats

If you have enjoyed our blog, “How Do You Know If You Have Bed Bugs”, then you might like to check out our bed bug product page.

Sources:

Department of Health WA , Oxford Academic (Perspectives on Biology and Management), National Library of Medicine (Clinical Relevance and Control Options )