Bed Bugs: How to Spot Them & What to Do About It

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How to spot bugs near the bed and on bed bug victims during an infestation

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1 Identifying the Insects

2 Checking for Other Signs of Bedbugs

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Tips and Warnings

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Article Summary

Co-authored by Kevin Carrillo

Last Updated: October 10, 2024 Approved

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Bedbugs are tiny insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals. Bed bugs don't just live in beds, but in luggage, furniture, and even shoes. Bedbugs are not dangerous and don't typically transmit disease, though some people have allergic reactions to them or get secondary infections from scratching bites. You may even have an emotional reaction to the gross factor of bed bugs, which is completely normal. You can recognize bedbugs by identifying the insects and checking for other signs of them.

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Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Identifying the Insects

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1. 
   1
   Check for a flat, oval shape. Look at any bugs you find and see if the body has a flat and oval shape. Then check the thickness of the bug. Bedbugs are usually flat, oval-shaped, and about the thickness of a credit card. Adults are about the size of an apple seed and while juveniles are the size of a poppy seed, but both have the same shape and width.

   • Bedbugs may be swollen and larger after feeding.
   • Don't worry if you can't actually see the bedbugs - this is very typical. Infestations are usually diagnosed by the appearance of bites on a person's skin, not by seeing the bedbugs.
2. 
   2
   Determine a tan to red color spectrum. Look at the color of the bugs you see. They may range from reddish to a tan color. Adult bedbugs are usually a shiny, rusty red color. Juveniles are often a translucent tan color. Some bedbugs may even have darker spots on their back.
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3. 
   3
   See if the bug has wings. Adult and juvenile bed bugs don't have wings. Check any bugs you see for visible wings or anything that folds onto their bodies. Avoid confusing the typical accordion-like folds on the bodies of adult and juvenile bedbugs for wings.
4. 
   4
   Count the bugs' legs. Check the bugs and figure out how many legs they have. Bedbugs have six legs. Their legs are usually closer to their heads and eyes. Avoid counting the two antennae as legs.

   • You may need a magnifying glass to do this, as bedbugs are very small.
5. 
   5
   Identify two antennae. At the top of the bug's head, look for two antennae that protrude from near the eyes. The antennae will be shorter than the bedbug's legs.
6. 
   6
   Observe two small eyes. Look at the front of the bug's body near the antennae. Bedbugs have small, dark and protruding eyes.
7. 
   7
   Use a magnifying glass to find bedbug eggs. If you find adult and juvenile bedbugs, use a magnifying glass to check the area for bedbug eggs or eggshells. Check for little brown or yellowish-white dots that are about the size of a grain of salt and an elongated shape. Look for the following other signs that can indicate bedbug eggs:

   • Small specks that adhere to surfaces, like bedsheets, which you can't shake or brush off.
   • If the eggs have already hatched, they'll leave eggshells on surfaces if already hatched.
8. 
   8
   Recognize the developmental stages of bedbugs. Three developmental stages of bedbug may infest a space: adult, juvenile, and eggs. Each has a slightly different appearance, so looking for all three if you suspect an infestation can help confirm if you have bedbugs.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Checking for Other Signs of Bedbugs

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1. 
   1
   Scan your skin for bite marks. Bedbugs are most active at night and you may wake up with itchy bites on any part of your skin. A bedbug can bite anywhere on your body, but your face, neck, arms, and hands are the most common spots. Bedbugs will often bite your feet first, both on the soles and on the tops of your feet. They may also bite folds of skin, such as around the armpit or groin. Check any itchy areas of your skin for the following signs:

   • Red spot with darker red area in the middle
   • Itching
   • Bites or bumps arranged in a rough line or cluster
   • Blisters or hives at the bite spot
2. 
   2
   Inspect mattresses and textiles for reddish stains. Any time you clean or change linens or even suspect a bedbug infestation, look for reddish or rusty-colored stains. Check areas on which you sleep especially closely. These stains can indicate crushed bedbugs and may signal an infestation.

   • Don't limit your inspection to clothing and bedding. Check your mattress, the fabric of furniture, suitcases, and any other places where bedbugs can quickly grab on to your skin for a meal. It's unlikely they'll be on your suitcase, but it's worth checking to be sure.
   • If you're staying at a hotel, check the sheets of your bed.
   • Stains will remain even after sheets have been washed well.
3. 
   3
   Identify signs of bedbug excrement. Look on white- or cream-colored textiles and furniture for dark spots that are about the size of a pencil head. See if the spots have bled out into the fabric. These may be bedbug excrement and signal an active infestation.

   • It may be difficult to see these spots on colored furniture or in suitcases, due to their dark color.
4. 
   4
   Detect bedbugs in their hiding spots. You may also recognize bedbugs by checking their typical hiding spots. This can not only help you identify a potential infestation but also what you should look for in other spaces of your home, office, or accommodations. Look in the following typical hiding places of bedbugs:

   • Near piping
   • Seams and tags of mattresses and box springs
   • Bed frames and headboards
   • Seams of chairs, couches, and between cushions
   • Folds of curtains
   • Drawer joints
   • Electrical appliances
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Join the Discussion...

How to check for potential bed bug infestation in my house?

WikiEmuFlyer438

I truly, deeply hate to say it...but I'm afriad that I have bed bugs. I haven't found a beg bug YET, but I've been waking up itchy all week. I'm concerned there could be an infestation because I've heard if there's one there's usually many. How do I check for bed bugs? More importantly, what do I do?? Thank you so much!

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Chikezie Onyianta
Pest Control Specialist

There are all kinds of treatment options, but I think the heat treatments are probably the best if you want to do it yourself. The trick is you have to heat up each room as fast as possible. And the reason I say this is because, you know, bedbugs, they can travel, I believe, 10 to 14 feet per minute. So, your average room is 12 by 12. You know, so once you start heating something up, if it's not fast enough, the bedbug could go into a cold pocket or wall outlet, etc. But once you get the heat high enough, you only need to leave it on for 2-3 hours to get rid of the bedbugs.

Now, what we like to do and what you can use yourself is a direct forced air heater. Direct heaters are better because you're heating up the areas where you’re likely to have bedbugs. Let's say you're doing a bedbug treatment in a bedroom. You strip down the bed, you check the dressers, and you say, holy smokes, there's a lot of bedbug activity. What you will do is you'll use a heat gun to heat up that specific area, and it will heat it up so quickly that nothing can survive.

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Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist, MMPC

If bedbugs are detected early on, and it's a low-level isolated infestation, it's completely treatable on your own. The first step is always going to be a thorough inspection of your home. Starting at the bed and working your way out from there. Ideally, you want to have a good high-powered flashlight with you to look in all the cracks and crevices.

Whenever you're able to find bedbugs, you can simply remove them either by vacuuming and disposing of a vacuum bag. You can use Isopropyl rubbing alcohol with at least 80% concentration. Steam is also hot enough to kill bedbugs if you apply it directly to the area for a couple of seconds.

There are a couple of different types of "bedbug traps" on the market that emit CO2, which is what we breathe out all day long, and there's also usually a backup bed bug pheromone. You open the trap and put it in a box and ideally, a bed bugs will get trapped. Just make sure you're not in the room at the same time, or else the bed bugs may be attracted to you instead.

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• Question

  What bugs are commonly mistaken for bed bugs?

  

  Kevin Carrillo
  Pest Control Specialist, MMPC

  Kevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry’s leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News.

  

  Kevin Carrillo

  Pest Control Specialist, MMPC

  Expert Answer

  The list is long, as it is very common to mistake other bugs for bed bugs. The most common bugs include carpet beetles, cockroach nymphs, Shiny Spider beetles, and book lice.

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  Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
• Question

  Can you have bed bugs and not see them?

  

  Kevin Carrillo
  Pest Control Specialist, MMPC

  Kevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry’s leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News.

  

  Kevin Carrillo

  Pest Control Specialist, MMPC

  Expert Answer

  Bed bugs, nymphs, and all of their forms are 100% visible to the human eye as long as you have proper lighting. Bed bug eggs are also visible and are usually the size of a pinhead. Ideally, you want to have a good high powered flashlight to inspect for bed bugs. Check for bugs in your bed and all the cracks and crevices in your home.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

  Yes No

  Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2
• Question

  How do you kill bed bugs?

  

  Kevin Carrillo
  Pest Control Specialist, MMPC

  Kevin Carrillo is a Pest Control Specialist and the Senior Project Manager for MMPC, a pest control service and certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) based in the New York City area. MMPC is certified by the industry’s leading codes and practices, including the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), QualityPro, GreenPro, and The New York Pest Management Association (NYPMA). MMPC's work has been featured in CNN, NPR, and ABC News.

  

  Kevin Carrillo

  Pest Control Specialist, MMPC

  Expert Answer

  Once you find bed bugs, they are pretty easily killed. You can remove bed bugs by either vacuuming and disposing of the vacuum bag or through Isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Make sure to use alcohol that is at least 80%.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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Tips

• For a stubborn infestation, call an exterminator. Having professional help can also minimize the risk of reinfestation from lingering bugs.
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• To get rid of bedbugs, wash your clothes and towels in hot water. Buy new sheets and pillows and change your mattress if possible.
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• Be as through as possible when you are diagnosing, and especially when treating a bed bug problem, so it doesn't become an infestation that you can not handle. Take your time and follow all the steps because you would hate for it to get worse.
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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

• I spent a good 30 minutes examining every nook and cranny of my bed frame and mattress after finding red spots on the mattress pad. Didn't find anything, but the black dust that had settled into the crevices was ultimately the clue I needed to incriminate fleas from my cat as the culprit. Our vet said that flea dirt turns red when it gets wet (in my case, the heat and moisture coming from my body while I slept) and can look similar to bed bug fecal matter. So if you have pets, look for that black dirt before panicking, because fleas are much easier to deal with!
• Be careful when you go to hotels, motels, Airbnbs...anywhere lots of people come and go. Bedbugs may latch onto you or your luggage and come home with you! Before staying at a hotel, look at reviews to see if anyone mentions seeing bugs there.

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Warnings

• Adult bedbugs can survive for several months without a host to feed on.
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• Bedbugs are excellent travelers. Inspect any textiles before bringing them into your home. When you travel, look for bedbugs or signs of them in locations you're staying.
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