Although bed bugs themselves may be hard to find, it is not difficult to diagnose an infestation. If you answer yes to any of these questions, call immediately for an inspection:
1. Are you waking up with itchy, red bumps on your body in rows or clusters?
After a bed bug feeds, it leaves a red welt about twice the size and with twice the itch of a mosquito bite. Many times, these bumps will be found in rows or clusters of four or five on your body. However, not all people react the same; in fact, many people do not react at all.
2. Is your mattress stained with black spots, especially in the creases and folds?
After bed bugs feed, they excrete some of the recently ingested blood along with feces, leaving groups of tiny black stains near their harborage, which is usually in cracks and folds around your sleeping area. Be sure to check near the baseboards and headboards as well as the mattress.
3. Are there tiny white spots on your bed or headboard?
Bed bugs lay tiny, white eggs that have an adhesive to stick to any surface. Check for clusters of these eggs near cracks and crevices.
4. Can you find any bed bugs or bed bug castings?
Strip you bed of linens and pull your headboard from the wall. Look in cracks, folds, creases, crevices, holes,anywhere near where you sleep or rest for long periods of time. If you cannot find a live bed bug, you may find a casing. Like many insects, bed bugs periodically shed their exoskeleton, which is light tan and can be found near their harborage.
1. Are you waking up with itchy, red bumps on your body in rows or clusters?
After a bed bug feeds, it leaves a red welt about twice the size and with twice the itch of a mosquito bite. Many times, these bumps will be found in rows or clusters of four or five on your body. However, not all people react the same; in fact, many people do not react at all.
2. Is your mattress stained with black spots, especially in the creases and folds?
After bed bugs feed, they excrete some of the recently ingested blood along with feces, leaving groups of tiny black stains near their harborage, which is usually in cracks and folds around your sleeping area. Be sure to check near the baseboards and headboards as well as the mattress.
3. Are there tiny white spots on your bed or headboard?
Bed bugs lay tiny, white eggs that have an adhesive to stick to any surface. Check for clusters of these eggs near cracks and crevices.
4. Can you find any bed bugs or bed bug castings?
Strip you bed of linens and pull your headboard from the wall. Look in cracks, folds, creases, crevices, holes,anywhere near where you sleep or rest for long periods of time. If you cannot find a live bed bug, you may find a casing. Like many insects, bed bugs periodically shed their exoskeleton, which is light tan and can be found near their harborage.