One of the most common questions we get is, "Can you see bed bugs?" At ThermoPest, we’re here to provide the answer.
Can you see bed bugs? Absolutely! Although bed bugs are extremely small, it is still possible to see them with the naked eye – although it can be tricky. Live bed bugs can hide in every crack and crevice, from upholstered furniture to luggage racks and even bedroom furniture.
Adult bed bugs are roughly the size of an apple seed. They get their name because they love to hide near where people sleep, such as in mattress seams and bed frames. They’re exceptional at hiding and can also be found on headboards, plug points, and other furniture in your home.
Bed bugs are nocturnal creatures, meaning they’re mostly active at night. Unfortunately, if you find bed bugs or signs of bed bug activity during the day, it’s likely you have a heavy infestation. If you spot common signs of bed bugs in your home or business, immediately contact a pest control company.
Worried about bed bugs lurking in your home? Knowing how to spot these crafty pests can save you a lot of bother. Here’s a straightforward guide to checking for bed bugs:
Strip off your bedding and inspect the mattress, focusing on seams, folds, and labels. Look for tiny reddish-brown bugs (about the size of an apple pip), dark faecal spots, or shed skins. Don’t miss under the mattress and along the bed base edges.
Check headboards, bedside tables, and upholstered chairs. Bed bugs love nooks and crannies, so use a torch to peek into tight spots like screw holes or wooden joints.
Inspect skirting boards, wallpaper seams, and even plug sockets near the bed. You might spot small blood stains or dark specks (bed bug droppings) as telltale signs.
If you’ve been travelling, examine suitcases, rucksacks, and clothing—especially seams and pockets. Bed bugs often hitch a lift home this way.
A magnifying glass can help you spot eggs (tiny, white, and pearl-like) or nymphs (smaller, translucent versions of adults). For tricky areas, slide a credit card along crevices to flush them out.
Top Tip: Bed bugs are nocturnal, so checking at night with a torch might catch them on the move. They can be very hard to find in light infestations, so we always recommend contacting one of our professionals. Read our full page dedicated to how to check for bed bugs.
Bed bugs are small but have specific traits that distinguish them from other bugs. They’re flat, wingless insects visible to the naked eye, though they can easily be confused with other pests like beetles. To identify bed bugs, look for the following:
Bed bugs are nocturnal creatures, primarily active at night when humans are sleeping, which often makes their presence harder to detect. Therefore, it’s crucial to conduct thorough inspections and consult us to address infestations promptly. One of the easiest ways to check is to examine your bedding and mattress seams when changing bedding, as well as cracks and crevices near sleeping areas. If in doubt, give one of our professionals a call for free advice.
Because bed bugs hide so well during the day, it’s usually easier to spot their signs rather than the bugs themselves. Many people don’t realize they have an infestation until they wake up with itchy bites or an allergic reaction that wasn’t there the day before.
Other signs include bloody black fecal stains or dark spots on bed sheets, clothes, or soft furniture. Bed bugs also shed translucent skins, which can be hard to spot. You may also notice bed bug eggs—very small and white in colour.
If you’re unsure about an infestation at your home or business, place bed bug monitors around beds to help detect them. These monitors use a blood meal substitute on a sticky surface to attract bed bugs. You can expect to see them on the monitors within a week if they’re present. We have bed bug monitors available to order here, or contact one of our experts today to discuss your concerns.
Even a severe bed bug infestation can be hard to spot. Usually, the first signs are bites on the body, which you might confuse with flea bites or other bug bites. If you’re in doubt, bed bug monitors can be placed around the bed and in common hiding places to detect their presence.
If you think you have a bed bug infestation at your home or business, act fast. Bed bugs can live up to 12 months and lay over 500 eggs in that time, giving them plenty of opportunities to multiply.
Bed bug treatments work best when infestations are detected early and eradicated permanently. It’s always best to contact a professional company to ensure complete eradication. Our friendly bed bug heat treatment team at ThermoPest will be happy to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have. Don’t let a bed bug infestation ruin your working or living conditions.
Yes, bed bugs are small but visible—though they are very good at
flattening themselves and hiding. Once fully grown, the bugs are red/
brown and measure around 4-5mm. Can you see bed bugs?
Bed bugs can be found anywhere that humans live because they feed on human blood. This attracts them to any environment where they can hide out—with mattresses and upholstery the prime targets. What causes bed bugs?
Bed bugs are difficult to identify in the early stages of their life cycles. Most infestations are discovered due to bite marks and itching from residents. Pest control professionals can usually identify droppings on bedding, uncover the places where the bugs hide and even smell the strong, sweet odours of a mature infestation. What are the signs that I have bed bugs?
Getting rid of bed bugs is not an easy task. Predominately, this is due to the nocturnal nature and ability for bed bugs to hide in small cracks and crevices. Sightings of bed bugs, it normally indicates that there is a serious bed bug infestation and requires a professional bed bug treatment. How do I kill bed bugs?
We are often asked what do bed bug bites look like? The problem is that bed bug bites can be easily confused with other insect bites. Each person bitten by bed bugs reacts differently, but there are some typical indicators. What do bed bug bites look like?
They get their name because they hide in areas that are related to the bed, such as a mattress, pillows, box springs, bed frames, and other furniture. They usually remain close to the host and usually bite at night when we are sleeping. Where do bed bugs bite?
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) have existed for thousands of years and gradually adapted to feed on humans. They’re not caused by poor hygiene – but common in places with high human turnover like hotels, dorms, public transport, and shared housing. They hide in beds, furniture, or cracks in walls and reproduce quickly.Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) have existed for thousands of years and gradually adapted to feed on humans. They’re not caused by poor hygiene – but common in places with high human turnover like hotels, dorms, public transport, and shared housing. They hide in beds, furniture, or cracks in walls and reproduce quickly. If you need a bed bug exterminator near you, get in contact with one of our team today. Where do bed bugs come from?
Bed bug heat treatment is a method used to eliminate bedbugs by subjecting them to high temperatures. This approach relies on the sensitivity of bedbugs to heat, as they cannot survive when exposed to temperatures above a certain threshold. How to get rid of bed bugs?
One of the most common questions we get is, “How to check for bed bugs?” You Check for bed bugs by inspecting mattress seams, bed frames, and furniture for small reddish-brown bugs, tiny black fecal spots, or shed skins.
Yes we do emergency pest control in homes or commercial premises to minimise disruption and risk to health. We can advise you about the most effective insect control solutions for your particular problem.
During the initial treatment on first visit a pest controller will assess entry points, recommend various methods based on the infestation and place bed bug monitors if required.
We treat a wide range including bed bugs, carpet beetles, clothes moths and more. Whether you need moth control or insect control we will tailor our approach to the species and environment.
Yes. All our expert pest control services comply with strict health and safety regulations to protect people, pets and property so you will have a safe and pest free environment after treatment.
Yes, our local pest control teams can help with any pest control needs quickly and effectively.
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