“Sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite!” is a common saying you might have heard as a child.
As kids, we might have giggled at this bedtime ritual, but as homeowners, we know the importance of keeping our sleeping spaces safe and comfortable. While bed bugs are unwelcome guests in any home, they’re a challenge many households face at some point. These small insects can disturb our peace of mind and affect our rest, which is why identifying them early is so important.
In this post, we’ll share our professional insights on recognizing the initial signs of bed bugs, their preferred hiding spots, and the steps to take if you suspect their presence.
Let’s work together to protect your home!
Why Spotting Bed Bugs Early Matters
Bed bugs are stealthy. Unlike some pests that make their presence known quickly, bed bugs can hide well and reproduce quickly. Without knowing what to look for, you might not realize you have a bed bug problem until they’ve spread all over your home. That’s why early detection is so important—catching them quickly can save you a lot of time, frustration, and money.
Whether you’re noticing unusual bites, strange stains on your sheets, or even an odd smell, knowing the early warning signs can help you address a potential bed bug issue sooner rather than later.
Early Signs of Bed Bugs
Let’s dive into common early signs of bed bugs. Each one might seem subtle on its own, but together, these signs can point to a bed bug infestation.
Bites on Your Skin
One of the first signs people often notice is bed bug bites. Many homeowners in Tennessee come to us with this problem: I haven’t seen signs of bed bugs but I have bites. If you are facing a similar problem, read on.
Bed bugs feed on human blood, usually while you’re sleeping, which means bites often show up in the morning.
Here’s how to recognize bed bug bites:
- Appearance: Small, red, itchy bumps—often grouped together or in a line.
- Location: Bed bug bites are usually on exposed skin, like the arms, neck, shoulders, and face.
- Timing: Bites tend to appear after a night’s sleep since that’s when bed bugs are active.
It’s important to note that not everyone reacts to bed bug bites the same way. Some people may not react, while others might experience redness, swelling, and intense itching.
Rusty or Dark Stains on Bedding
If you wake up in the morning and notice stains on your sheets, but you are fine, then chances are this is caused by bed bugs. Bed bugs leave behind evidence of their presence in the form of small, rusty stains. These stains are often a result of the following:
- Crushed Bugs: Bed bugs are a nuisance, but at the end of the day, they are very small creatures. This means you can accidentally squish them during the night. When this happens, these bugs tend to leave behind small reddish-brown marks on the sheets.
- Fecal Spots: Bed bugs excrete digested blood, leaving dark brown or black dots that are typically smaller and darker than blood stains. These spots might appear on bedding, mattresses, or nearby furniture.
If you spot these stains on your sheets, mattress, or pillowcases, it’s worth taking a closer look.
Bed Bug Eggs and Eggshells
Another early sign of bed bugs is the presence of eggs or eggshells. Bed bugs lay tiny, whitish eggs that are only about the size of a pinhead. A female bed bug can lay about 1-7 eggs per day!
While they’re small, you may be able to spot them in certain areas around your bed or in the creases of the mattress. Here’s what to look for:
- Appearance: Bed bug eggs are whitish and slightly transparent. They might look like tiny grains of rice.
- Location: Eggs are usually laid in clusters in hidden crevices or dark spots, such as mattress seams, headboards, and box springs.
Shredded Skins
As bed bugs grow, they shed their exoskeletons, leaving behind small, empty skins. These shed skins are light brown, thin, and translucent—similar in shape to a bed bug but hollow inside. You’ll often find them in typical bed bug hideouts, like mattress seams, bed frames, and along the edges of carpets. Spotting these shed skins is a clear sign of bed bug activity, indicating they’re actively growing and living nearby. If you notice these in or around your bed, it’s worth investigating further to prevent a larger infestation from taking hold.
Musty/Bad Odor
All the signs we talked about above were primarily visual observations. However, there are early signs of bed bugs that relate to smell too.
If you notice an unusual, musty smell around your bed or bedroom, it could be another clue pointing to bed bugs. When bed bugs gather in large numbers, they release pheromones that produce a distinct, musty odor. Many describe this smell as slightly sweet, resembling the scent of a damp towel or a moldy room. While smell alone isn’t a guarantee of bed bugs, if it’s combined with other signs, it’s worth checking further. This scent can help you identify an infestation early before it spreads further throughout your home.
Spotting Live Bed Bugs
Now, let’s talk about the clearest sign of all—actually seeing live bed bugs. Here’s what you need to know to spot these pests:
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed, with flat, oval-shaped bodies that are reddish-brown in color. After they’ve fed, they appear slightly rounder and darker.
How To Spot Bed Bugs:
Bed bugs are excellent at hiding, especially during the day. However, they tend to be close to their food source (you!) and are often found in:
- Mattress seams and box springs
- Crevices of the bed frame or headboard
- Cracks in nearby walls or furniture
Nighttime Activity:
Bed bugs are most active at night, so it’s often easier to spot them after dark. If you suspect bed bugs, consider inspecting the bed with a flashlight around midnight.
If you spot live bed bugs, it’s a strong indication of an active infestation and time to take action.
What To Do If You Suspect Bed Bugs?
If you’ve noticed one or more of these signs, here’s a quick plan to follow:
- Bed bugs are challenging to eliminate, but with professional help, it’s possible.
- DIY bed bug treatments often don’t work and may even spread the bugs further. It’s best to contact a pest control company for a thorough inspection and treatment plan.
- Don’t move bedding or furniture around, as this can spread bed bugs to other rooms.
Also Read: 9 Best-Rated Bed Bug Sprays That Work In 2023
Jamison Pest and Lawn: Keeping You And Your Pets Safe From Bed Bugs
Bed bugs bite and can cause harm to you and your pets. If you see bed bugs or any of these signs that we have covered above, reach out to the experts at Jamison Pest and Lawn. We are Tennessee’s best pest control company.
Drawing on years of experience, our team performs systematic inspections, customized treatments, and industry-leading practices to ensure effective bed bug removal. Contact us today at (901) 452-1505 to schedule an inspection and secure your home.
