How to Check for Bedbugs

7 signs of a bedbug infestation

If you suspect you have bedbugs, check for these seven key signs you may have an 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 tiny ink-like fecal spots are usually found on your sheets and pillowcases or in mattress seams. They can bleed through fabric and look similar to a black marker dot.

• Shed skins: As bedbugs grow, they shed their skin, a process known as molting. You might find these pale yellow cast skins, which look like hollowed-out bugs, in areas where bedbugs typically hide.

• Small, pearl-white eggs: Bedbug eggs are pearl-white and about 1 millimeter in size. They’re often found in dark spaces, such as in mattress seams or inside furniture, and can cling together in clusters.

• 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 mattress and couch seams, along carpet edges and near electrical outlets.

• 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 and can be quite strong in a large infestation.

• Blood stains on sheets: If you roll and turn in your sleep, you might crush a bedbug that's emerged from hiding to feed. This can leave small blood-colored or rusty stains on your sheets.

• Itchy, red bites: Bedbug bites are often red and itchy, and arranged in a line or cluster. They’re most often found on body parts 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. Plus, bedbug bites can look like other bug bites, such as mosquitoes and chiggers, or even skin rashes and hives.

• 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, and work slowly to make sure you've checked each spot thoroughly.

Before checking for bedbugs, gather some inspection tools to aid your search, such as disposable rubber gloves, a flashlight, a stiff brush and a credit card or putty knife.

“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. While wearing protective gloves, remove all bedding from your mattress and box spring and look for small, dark spots (feces), shed skins or live bedbugs. Pay special attention to the mattress seams and tags, which are the most common hiding places for bedbugs. Don't forget to check the headboard and any cracks in the bed frame as well.

» KNOW THE SIGNS: What do bedbugs look like?

2. Examine your furniture

Bedbugs can also hide in nearby 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. Use a credit card as you inspect seams and cracks; if the space is wide enough to fit your card, it's wide enough to house bedbugs. Inspect inside drawers and underneath furniture for any bedbugs hiding out of plain sight.

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. While checking carpet edges, scan the baseboards for any bedbugs.

4. Check wall hangings and electrical outlets

Bedbugs can hide behind pictures, posters and other wall hangings, as well as behind electrical outlet plates. Remove and inspect these items carefully with a flashlight. They can also hide in peeling paint or loose wallpaper, so be sure to check these areas by probing them with a thin object such as a putty knife.

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 found evidence of bedbugs elsewhere.

» LEARN MORE: Ways to get rid of bedbugs

How to check for bedbugs when traveling

Staying in a room with an unknown bedbug infestation can quickly put a damper on a trip. Not only could you expose yourself to possible bedbug bites, but you also risk bringing the infestation home. When traveling and staying at a hotel or short-term rental, follow these steps to lower your risk:

• Check the bed and surrounding areas for any visible signs of bedbugs, including the sheets, blankets, mattress and headboard.

• Inspect the luggage stand, and if clear, use it to hold suitcases or carry-ons; avoid placing luggage on the bed or the floor.

• If you find bedbugs or any signs of a possible infestation, alert the hotel main desk or owner of the rental property to arrange alternative accommodations.

Inspecting luggage for bedbugs after travel

When you return from a trip, it's important to inspect your luggage and belongings for any bedbugs that might've hitched a ride home with you.

If you see signs of bedbugs — or even if you don't — unpack your clothing directly into a washing machine or sealed plastic bags. Wash clothing in hot water, if possible, and dry it on high heat for at least 30 minutes. To treat your suitcase, vacuum and steam-treat all visible areas, paying special attention to crevices.

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