How to check for bedbugs

7 signs of a bedbug infestation

If you suspect you have bedbugs, there are specific things to look for. Here are seven key signs you may have a bedbug infestation:

Not all people react to bedbug bites —  you could have a bedbug infestation even if you haven’t noticed any marks on your skin.

• Small, dark spots: These spots are bedbug fecal matter — they’re usually found on your sheets and pillowcases or in mattress seams. They can look like tiny black dots, similar to a marker dot.
• Shed skins: As bedbugs grow, they shed their skin, which is known as molting. You might find these shed skins, which look like hollowed-out bugs, in areas where bedbugs typically hide.
• Small, pearl-white eggs: Bedbug eggs are pearl-white in collar and about 1 millimeter in size. They’re often found in dark spaces, such as in the seams of your mattress or inside furniture.
• Live bedbugs: Live bedbugs are one of the most obvious signs of an infestation. They're most active at night — if you’re looking during the day, check common hiding places, including the seams of mattresses and couches, along the edges of carpets or in other hiding places.
• Unpleasant odors: Some people report a musty, sweet smell, similar to the scent of raspberries or rotten raspberries, in an area infested with bedbugs. This odor comes from the bedbugs' scent glands — it can be quite strong in a large infestation.
• Blood stains on sheets: If you roll and turn in your sleep, it’s possible you might crush a bedbug that's emerged from hiding to feed. This can leave small blood stains on your sheets.
• Itchy, red bites: Bedbug bites are often red and itchy, and they’re usually arranged in a line or cluster. They’re most often found on parts of the body that are exposed during sleep, such as your face, neck, hands and arms. Not everyone reacts to bedbug bites, however, so the absence of bites doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have bedbugs.
• Unusual marks on walls and furniture: Bedbugs can leave behind unusual marks on your walls and furniture. These marks could be fecal spots, blood smears or shed skins.

How to inspect for bedbugs

Performing a visual inspection for bedbugs involves a systematic approach to ensure no area is overlooked. Start by checking the most common areas before expanding your search.

“Generally, bedbugs are found in bedrooms or living rooms that have an occupant sleeping there,” said Megan Wede, co-owner and co-operator of Done Right Pest Solutions in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. “If the bug was found elsewhere, the person can typically cross bedbugs off the list.”

1. Inspect your bed

Begin with your bed — it's the most common place for bedbugs. Remove all bedding from your mattress and box spring and look for small, dark spots (feces), shed skins or live bedbugs. Pay particular attention to the seams and tags, which are the most common hiding places for bedbugs.

» KNOW THE SIGNS: What do bedbugs look like?

2. Examine your furniture

Bedbugs can also hide in furniture, such as nightstands, dressers, sofas and chairs. Check all seams, cracks and crevices of your furniture, especially the furniture around your bed or in your bedroom. Don't forget to inspect inside drawers and underneath furniture.

3. Look at the edges of carpets and under rugs

Bedbugs can hide along the edges of carpets and under rugs. Use a flashlight to inspect these areas, and try using a stiff brush to dislodge any bedbugs or eggs that might be hidden in the carpet fibers.

4. Check wall hangings and electrical outlets

Bedbugs can hide behind pictures, posters and other wall hangings, as well as behind electrical outlet plates. Be sure to remove and inspect these items carefully.

5. Look in other rooms

Bedbugs can easily spread to other rooms, so don't limit your inspection to just one area. Be sure to check all rooms in your home, especially if you've noticed signs of bedbugs elsewhere.