By ThermoPest – Your Local Pest Control Experts
If you’ve ever woken up with mysterious bites and started scratching your head—literally and figuratively—about where they came from, you might be dealing with bed bugs. But what do bed bugs actually look like? It’s a question we get a lot at ThermoPest, and spotting these little pests early can make all the difference between a quick fix and a full-blown infestation. Let’s walk you through exactly what bed bugs look like, how to identify them, and what to do if you find them.
Bed bugs may be tiny, but once you know what you’re looking for, they aren’t invisible. Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, roughly 4 to 5 mm long, and they have a flat, oval shape when they haven’t fed. They’re usually a reddish-brown colour, though, after a good meal (your blood!), they’ll swell up and turn a darker, more swollen shade of red.
At their smaller, younger stages, bed bugs can be harder to spot. Nymphs (baby bed bugs) are much smaller and lighter in colour, almost translucent when they first hatch. If they haven’t fed yet, they can be especially tricky to see. Their eggs, too, are tiny—white and about 1 mm long—but if you’re dealing with an infestation, you might come across clusters of them in bed seams or furniture cracks.
Now, here’s where people often get mixed up. You might find a little critter and panic, thinking it’s a bed bug, but not every tiny bug you see is necessarily a bed bug. So how do you tell them apart from other household pests?
Fleas and bed bugs often get confused, but they behave and look quite differently. Fleas are more narrow and have strong legs for jumping, whereas bed bugs can’t jump or fly. Fleas are also more likely to be found on pets or carpets, while bed bugs are closer to your bed
Carpet beetles are another common culprit. Unlike bed bugs, carpet beetles are usually round and more colourful, often with a mix of brown, white, or orange spots. Bed bugs, on the other hand, are typically solid brown or red and don’t have any fancy patterns.
Ticks and bed bugs look somewhat similar, but ticks are usually found outdoors or on pets and are more round when they’ve fed. Bed bugs have a more flattened appearance and are almost always found indoors.
Bed bugs are called “bed bugs” for a reason—they love your bed! But they won’t stop there. They’ll hide anywhere that gives them easy access to their next meal (you). So where should you look if you suspect bed bugs have moved in?
Start with the obvious: check your mattress seams, bed frames, headboards, and any upholstered furniture nearby. Bed bugs often hide close to where you sleep, so this is ground zero for any inspection. If you’re in specific locations like Southampton, Bournemouth, or London, professional help is available.
If you’ve been travelling, bed bugs can hitch a ride home in your luggage or clothes. Always inspect your bags after a trip, especially if you stay in a hotel or hostel. They like to hide in the folds of fabric and can make their way into your wardrobe if you’re not careful.
Bed bugs are sneaky little things. They’ll hide in the smallest cracks in walls, behind skirting boards, in the seams of sofas, and even in electrical outlets. They prefer dark, tight spaces where they won’t be disturbed.
Sometimes, you don’t spot the bed bugs themselves right away, but you’ll notice signs that they’ve been hanging around. One of the most obvious signs is bed bug bites. They tend to appear in small clusters or lines, and although they’re different for everyone, they’re often itchy, red, and irritating.
Another sign is blood stains or small dark spots (bed bug faeces) on your sheets or mattress. If you notice these, it’s time to investigate further. Bed bugs also shed their skin as they grow, so finding small, papery skins around your bed or furniture is another clue.
If you’re still unsure, there are a few ways to confirm if you’ve got bed bugs. First, inspect your home visually—grab a torch and carefully look through the seams of your mattress, your bed frame, and any nearby furniture. You might even want to use a magnifying glass to help with the search.
For a more thorough check, you can use bed bug detection tools like traps that capture any bed bugs moving around. Some people even bring in bed bug-sniffing dogs, trained specifically to detect infestations.
So, what happens if you find bed bugs lurking in your home? First, don’t panic—it’s important to stay calm and act quickly to prevent the infestation from spreading. Start by isolating any infested items (like bedding or clothing) and washing them in the hottest setting possible. High heat kills bed bugs and their eggs.
For a full-blown infestation, you’ll want to call in the professionals. DIY methods often don’t cut it with bed bugs—they’re tricky, persistent pests. ThermoPest can help you identify the severity of the infestation and treat it effectively, using safe and proven methods to get your home bed bug-free. You can consider using heat treatment for more severe infestations.
The sooner you spot bed bugs, the easier it is to tackle the problem. These pests multiply quickly, so catching them early can save you from a much bigger headache down the line. If you’re unsure whether you’ve got bed bugs or just want peace of mind, don’t hesitate to get in touch with ThermoPest. Our bed bug inspection and treatment services will help you sleep soundly again—without worrying about what’s lurking under the sheets!
If you think you might have a bed bug problem, give us a call today and let’s get it sorted.
