One of the most common questions we get is, "How to check for bed bugs?" At ThermoPest, we’re here to provide the answer.
Finding out you have a bed bug infestation can be stressful. These small insects are experts at hiding, and by the time you notice bites or other signs of bed bugs, the infestation may already be widespread.
Bed bugs are not just found in homes; they are common in hotels, public transport, and second-hand furniture. Knowing how to check for bed bugs can help you prevent bed bugs from spreading and take action before the problem worsens.
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown colour insects that feed on human blood. They are about the size of an apple seed. They are flat and oval-shaped. Adult bed bugs have shell casings that turn darker after a blood meal. Young bed bugs (nymphs) are smaller and lighter in colour or translucent.
Although bed bugs do not spread disease, their bites can cause allergic reactions, skin irritation, and health problems such as insomnia and anxiety. The presence of bedbug bites or bite marks on your skin is often one of the early signs of an infestation.
Bed bugs are excellent at hiding and can infest many locations, including:
Bed bugs are common pests found in homes. If your home has an infestation, you may find bed bugs in bed frames, mattress seams, box springs, and upholstered furniture. They also hide in cracks in furniture, crevices in walls, and under loose wallpaper.
Remember – bed bugs aren’t only a problem in the bedroom! If a home is heavily infested, they may spread to other rooms.
A hotel room is a prime location for bed bugs because of the high number of travellers. They can be found in bed sheets, mattress seams, headboards, wall hangings, and picture frames.
Bed bugs are sometimes found on buses, trains, and aeroplanes, hiding in seats, luggage compartments, and wall crevices.
Bringing second-hand furniture into your home without checking it thoroughly is one of the most common ways to introduce bed bugs. Always inspect used mattresses, couches, and wooden furniture before bringing them inside.
Checking for bed bugs at home requires a close inspection of areas where people sleep and rest. Follow these steps:
-Look for live bed bugs, bed bug eggs, and translucent egg shells. These can be found in the mattress seams, box spring, and bed frame.
-Check for bed bug excrement. This looks like small black spots or dark spots on bed sheets.
-If you see blood stains, it may be from crushed bed bugs after feeding.
-Use a vacuum cleaner in furniture crevices. If you remove any infested items from the room, this can cause the infestation to spread.
-Inspect picture frames, wall hangings, electrical outlets, and electrical outlet covers for shed skins and other signs of an infestation.
-Examine upholstered furniture closely. Look for evidence of bugs in seams and under cushions.
-Shine a torch or a flashlight into cracks, crevices, and behind headboards to find bed bugs.
-Use a stiff brush to dislodge bed bug eggs from hiding places.
-Place traps under the legs of the bed to catch adult bed bugs moving at night.
When checking into a hotel room, follow these steps to avoid taking bed bugs home with you:
-Pull back the bed sheets and check for blood stains, small black spots, and crushed bed bugs.
-Look along the mattress seams and under the box spring for signs of bed bugs.
-Examine upholstered furniture, picture frames, and wall hangings for dark spots or shell casings.
-Inspect loose wallpaper and electrical outlets, as bed bugs hide in cracks.
-Use a luggage rack instead of placing bags on the bed or carpet.
-Store clothing in a plastic bag to prevent bed bugs from crawling inside.
-If you notice bites after staying in a hotel room, check for bed bugs before packing.
Public transport, including buses, trains, and taxis, can also harbour bed bugs.
If you find bed bugs in your home, hotel room, or workplace, take immediate action:
1.) Do not move infested items to other rooms, as this can spread the infestation.
2.) Vacuum regularly and dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag.
3.) Wash bedding, clothing, and fabric items in high heat treatments to kill bed bugs.
4.) Seal cracks in walls and furniture to reduce hiding places.
5.) Contact ThermoPest for professional treatment.
The most effective way to rid your home of bed bugs is through heat treatments. Unlike chemical sprays, which may not kill bed bug eggs, heat treatments raise the temperature in a room to a level that bed bugs cannot survive.
Heat treatments are great because it kills bed bugs in all life stages – including bed bug eggs and nymphs. The heat reaches deep into crevices where bed bugs hide.
Heat treatments use no harmful chemicals. This makes them safe for homes and businesses. And heat treatments are usually a one-time treatment – unlike traditional methods that require multiple applications.
If you have a bed bug infestation, Pest.co.uk’s heat treatment service ensures complete eradication.
Knowing how to check for bed bugs is the first step in stopping an infestation. Whether at home, in a hotel room, or on public transport, early detection can help you prevent bed bugs from spreading.
If you find signs of bed bugs, do not wait—contact pest.co.uk for expert heat treatments and professional pest control services. A fast response can help you rid your home of bed bugs before the problem worsens.
What are the signs that I have 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 skin. 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
Can you see bed bugs? Bedbugs are small, but you can see them. They range in colour from transparent to a dark reddish brown. Adults are roughly 4 to 5mm. They are very good at hiding, so look for telltale signs like rust-coloured blood dots and shed skins on your furnishings or bites on your body.
What causes 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.
How do I kill bed bugs? It can be hard to eradicate bedbugs completely. They are usually nocturnal and are very good at hiding. If you have seen the signs of bedbug activity, it is usually a sign of a serious infestation. Contact a professional to guarantee all bedbugs are killed permanently.
Where do bed bugs come from? Bed bugs are found in virtually any place people tend to gather. They remain as close to their host as possible and feed during the night, which is why you will usually get bitten while sleeping.
How can bed bugs be eliminated? Bedbugs cannot survive when exposed to temperatures above a certain threshold. Our bed bug heat treatment works to eliminate bedbugs by subjecting them to high temperatures.
How to prevent bed bugs: Preventing bed bugs from entering your home or business can be a challenge. They are usually picked up whilst travelling and are difficult to see. By taking small measures, you can help prevent bed bug infestations.
The problem with bed bug bites is that they can be easily confused with other insect bites. Each person bitten will react differently. Their bites are usually red and itchy. Take a look at our article on what do bed bug bites look like for more information.
Where do bed bugs bite? Bedbugs will bite any exposed skin. The face, neck, arms, hands, legs, and feet are all common areas for bites.
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