Bed bugs can make it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. Identifying an infestation quickly will make it easier to get rid of these pests. To make sure bed bugs haven’t moved into your home, you’ll need to carefully examine your space. We’ve gathered information to help you check for and identify bed bug infestations.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Before you can start checking for bed bugs, you need to know what they look like. These pests have an oval-shaped body and are about ¼" in length. Bed bugs are flat and brown before they feed. After a bloodmeal, they will turn a reddish hue and enlarge. When trying to identify an infestation, you will also want to look for stains. When crushed, bed bugs can leave behind red stains, and their droppings can cause dark stains.
How to Check for Bed Bugs
To check for bed bugs, you need to inspect areas where these pests are likely to hide. It’s important that your inspection is thorough and you look in the right spots. There are a few tools that can aid your search including a flashlight, a magnifying glass, a flat, narrow tool like an old credit card or a putty knife, and a pair of gloves. After gathering your supplies, you’ll be ready to start your inspection.
1. Examine the Bed
Bed bugs like to stay close to people, and they are most commonly found on beds. You’ll want to check your bedding including sheets, blankets, and pillowcases. After examining and removing your bedding, you need to check your mattress. You’ll want to pay close attention to folds, piping, and seams. You can use a flat tool to help push bed bugs and their eggs out of cracks. Once you examine the top of your mattress, flip it over and inspect the bottom. You will also need to check your box spring, headboard, and bed frame.
2. Examine Other Furniture
After thoroughly inspecting your bed, you can start looking at other pieces of furniture. Bed bugs are likely to be found on furniture that is close to the bed. Examine your nightstands and dressers. Be sure to empty any drawers, and remove them to inspect the bottom. You will want to examine cracks and joints on your furniture as well. Bed bugs can also hide in upholstered furniture. Look for bed bugs between the cushions of sofas and chairs. Don’t forget to look under your furniture since bed bugs like to hide in dark areas.
3. Examine the Perimeter of the Room
Once you’ve examined your furniture, you’ll want to move on to the perimeter of the room. Bed bugs can easily slip into cracks on walls, baseboards, molding, and the trim around doors and windows. Don’t forget to check your curtains while looking near windows. Bed bugs can also hide in any gaps near wall outlets or light switches. These pests are sneaky and can use picture frames and wall décor as hiding spots too. If you have loose wallpaper, you’ll want to make sure bed bugs aren’t hiding behind it.
4. Examine Other Items
When dealing with a serious bed bug infestation, it’s possible for bed bugs to spread to less common hiding spots. You’ll want to take the time to check smaller items, like your alarm clock and décor, to make sure there aren’t any hidden bed bugs. If you enjoy reading in bed, you’ll need to examine your books too. These pests can hide in the space between the spine and binding of a book. If you’re inspecting your child’s room, you’ll want to check their toys as well. Don’t forget to examine your furry family member’s bed and toys too.
5. Examine Your Clothes & Luggage
Bed bugs can also be found on your clothing. As you examine your dressers, be sure to check your clothes for these pests. You should also take the time to inspect your closet. If you find bed bugs on your clothes, you’ll want to place them in a sealed bag until you can wash them. It’s best to use hot water and high heat when washing and drying infested clothes. Your luggage is also an ideal hiding spot for bed bugs and should be checked, especially after traveling. You can vacuum your suitcase to help remove these pests.
Having bed bugs invade your home is never any fun. Identifying an infestation is the first step to getting rid of these pests. Make sure to thoroughly examine your space and to look at all possible hiding spots. If you’re dealing with bed bugs or other uninvited guests, we have your back! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products for a more environmentally and family-friendly solution.