How to Check if You Have Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are one of the most difficult household pests to detect early. They are small, elusive, and active mainly at night, which means an infestation can grow before you realise there’s a problem. Knowing how to check for bed bugs properly is the first and most important step in dealing with them before they spread through your home or workplace.

This guide explains where to look, what signs to watch for, and when it’s time to call a professional, so you can act quickly and confidently.

What Are Bed Bugs and Why Early Detection Matters

Bed bugs are tiny, flat insects that feed on human blood. They are reddish-brown in colour, wingless, and about the size of an apple seed when fully grown. Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are not linked to poor hygiene. They can be brought into clean homes through luggage, furniture, clothing, or visitors.

Early detection is critical because bed bugs multiply quickly and spread easily from room to room. The longer they remain unnoticed, the harder and more disruptive treatment becomes.

Common Signs You May Have Bed Bugs

Before pulling apart furniture, it helps to understand the typical warning signs. Bed bugs usually leave physical evidence behind, even if you never see them directly.

1. Unexplained Bites or Skin Irritation

One of the earliest signs people notice is bites on exposed skin, often appearing:

• In clusters or straight lines
• On arms, shoulders, neck, legs, or back
• After sleeping

Bed bug bites may look similar to mosquito bites, but often appear more concentrated. However, not everyone reacts to bites, so the absence of marks does not rule out an infestation.

2. Blood Spots on Sheets or Pillowcases

Small rust-coloured or dark red stains on bedding can be a strong indicator. These spots may come from crushed bed bugs or bleeding caused during feeding. Check:

• Sheets
• Pillowcases
• Mattress covers

These stains are often mistaken for general marks but should not be ignored if they appear repeatedly.

3. Dark Specks or Smears (Bed Bug Droppings)

Bed bug droppings look like tiny black dots, similar to ink marks from a pen tip. You may find them:

• Along mattress seams
• On bed frames
• Behind headboards
• In cracks near sleeping areas

If you wipe the mark with a damp cloth and it smears, it may be bed bug waste.

4. Shed Skins and Eggs

As bed bugs grow, they shed their outer skin. These pale, translucent shells are often found near hiding spots. Eggs are:

• Tiny (about 1mm)
• White or pearl-coloured
• Sticky, making them hard to dislodge

Finding either is a strong sign of an active infestation.

Step-by-Step: How to Check for Bed Bugs Properly

A thorough inspection requires patience and attention to detail. Bed bugs hide in tight, dark spaces close to where people sleep.

Step 1: Inspect the Mattress and Bedding

Start with the bed, as this is the most common harbourage.

Carefully check:

• Mattress seams and piping
  
• Corners and labels
• Under mattress handles
• Fitted sheet edges

Use a torch and look slowly. Bed bugs often hide in folds and stitched areas.

Step 2: Examine the Bed Frame and Headboard

Bed bugs frequently hide in bed frames, especially wooden ones.

Check:

• Joints and screw holes
• Cracks in timber
• Behind and underneath the headboard

If possible, remove the headboard from the wall to inspect the back and wall surface.

Step 3: Check Nearby Furniture and Soft Furnishings

Bed bugs don’t stay confined to beds. Inspect items within one to two metres of sleeping areas, including:

• Bedside tables (inside drawers and underneath)
• Lounge chairs and sofas
• Curtains and curtain seams
• Upholstered furniture

Pay close attention to seams, folds, and hidden undersides.

Step 4: Inspect Walls, Floors, and Electrical Fixtures

In heavier infestations, bed bugs spread beyond furniture.

Look closely at:

• Skirting boards
• Cracks in walls
• Carpet edges
• Power points and light switches

They can hide behind loose wallpaper, picture frames, or wall hangings.

Step 5: Check Luggage and Recently Moved Items

If you’ve travelled recently or brought second-hand furniture into your home, inspect:

• Suitcases (especially seams and pockets)
• Backpacks
• Storage boxes
• Clothing stored near sleeping areas

Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers and often enter homes this way.

Signs of Bed Bugs in Commercial or Shared Spaces

In apartments, hotels, offices, or care facilities, bed bugs can spread between rooms easily. Signs may include:

• Repeated bite complaints from occupants
• Reports across multiple rooms
• Evidence found in shared furniture or storage areas

Professional inspection is especially important in shared or high-traffic environments.

What Not to Do When Checking for Bed Bugs

• Do not spray household chemicals during inspection
• Do not move infested items to other rooms
• Do not discard furniture immediately, as this can spread bed bugs further

Incorrect handling often makes infestations worse and harder to control.

When to Call a Professional Bed Bug Specialist

If you find:

• Live bed bugs
• Eggs or shed skins
• Ongoing bites with physical evidence

…it’s time to contact a licensed pest control professional.

Bed bugs are highly resistant and difficult to eliminate without professional treatment methods, specialised equipment, and experience. A qualified technician can:

• Confirm the infestation
• Identify all affected areas
• Apply targeted treatment safely
• Reduce the risk of reinfestation

Why Professional Inspection Makes a Difference

Professional pest control inspections go beyond what most people can see. Trained technicians know where bed bugs hide and can detect early infestations before they spread further. This saves time, reduces disruption, and avoids unnecessary stress.

Final Thoughts

Checking for bed bugs requires careful inspection, attention to detail, and an understanding of where these pests hide. While early signs can be subtle, acting quickly makes a significant difference in how easily the issue can be resolved.

If you suspect bed bugs or want peace of mind, a professional inspection is the most reliable way to confirm the situation and take the proper next steps. Contact Pest-Ex for expert bed bug inspections and tailored treatment solutions.

Early action protects your space, your comfort, and your peace of mind.