SIGNS OF BED BUGS

Seeing  Adult Bed Bugs 
Bed bugs are tiny, but can be seen by the naked eye, but spotted easier by using a flashlight and magnifying glass. 

Look for:  ¼” flat, rusty brown colored bugs that resemble an apple seed. After feeding, engorged bed bugs are more elongated and are a dark-reddish color. 
 
Fecal Stains
After feeding on a human, bed bugs will defecate and leave behind stains. 

Look for: Brown stains on sheets that appear similar to a stain a felt tip marker would leave behind. These stains may also be found on pillow cases or on the mattress itself.

Blood/Reddish Stains
When bed bugs become engorged after feeding they leave behind blood spots on the sheets or mattresses. Bed bugs can also get crushed when you roll over them while they’re feeding. 

Look for: Reddish stains on your sheets. Stains may also be found on pillowcases and your pajamas. 

 

Caste Skins 
When juvenile bed bugs grow, they shed their skin a total of 5 times before reaching adulthood. 

Look for:  Lighter colored empty bed bug shells. 

 

Eggs and Eggshells
During an active bed bug infestation, eggs and eggshells can be found. 

Look for: Pearly white ovals (about 1mm long). Eggshells are similar in size and color but will be less shiny and somewhat flattened. 

 

Buggy Smell
Bed bugs emit a distinctive buggy smell, which comes from pheromones they emit. This smell may only be noticeable in larger infestations.

Smell for: A strong, musty odor. 

 

Red, Itchy Bites 
Bed bugs feed on humans while sleeping and leave behind red welts. Bed bug bite reactions differ from person to person. 

Look for: Bed bug bites can range in look depending on how one reacts from the bite. Look for itchy red bumps or marks on skin. Marks may be in a cluster or line.*    

*Note: Bites alone are not proof that you have bed bugs. Bites and rashes can be caused by various other reasons.