10 Early Signs of Bed Bugs in Your Home

10 Early Signs of Bed Bugs in Your Home

Bed bugs are quickly becoming a bigger issue in the United States, as well as other countries throughout the world. These blood-sucking insects can be found in apartments, condos, hospitals, hotels, movie theaters, and even private homes! Besides, they’re so sneaky that you might not even realize you have them until it’s too late. Don’t worry if you already have bed bugs in your home, though; with these 10 early signs of bed bugs in your home, you should be able to eliminate them before they have a chance to multiply and spread throughout your dwelling!

1) Bloodstains

Bloodstains, or spots where blood has been smeared, are one of the earliest signs that your home has bed bugs. These red or rust-colored stains may be easy to spot on light carpets and sheets but can be almost invisible against dark colors. If you notice blood stains on sheets and pillowcases, particularly near mattress seams or at creases, it’s time to look further into whether you have a bed bug problem. The appearance of small black dots (called fecal staining) may also indicate bed bug activity, as they leave behind their droppings after feeding.
Another way to check for bloodstains is by placing white paper under your sheets and shining a flashlight onto them overnight—if you see little red splotches on the paper in the morning, it could mean you have an infestation.

2) Itchy Red Spots

If you develop itching red spots on your skin, especially after sleeping, you may have bed bugs. This is because bed bugs feed by injecting saliva into their victims and can cause severe itching when they do so. To confirm that you have bed bugs, look for black or brown spots on your sheets or mattress these could be fecal stains. Also, look for dark specks of bug feces on white sheets—this would be another sign.

3) Unexplained Musty Odor

A musty odor is a big sign that you may have an infestation. If you notice your house has a mildew smell, look for other signs to confirm it’s not just an old carpet or some other minor problem. Then, if you suspect bed bugs, contact a professional pest control company to schedule an inspection and start treatment immediately. It can be difficult to get rid of bed bugs on your own, so don’t delay!

4) Collection of bed bug shells

Due to their flat shape, bed bug shells are sometimes mistaken for cockroach eggs. As a result, you might accidentally toss them into your regular trash or burn them if you’re using an open flame to get rid of bugs and don’t know what you’re burning. For best results, place eggshells in a sealed plastic bag so they can be discarded with other household waste. If you have pets, avoid taking any chances by placing eggshells in a sealed plastic bag and storing them outside until garbage day. You can also freeze them for two days before disposing of them; freezing is thought to kill any eggs that may be present.

5) Eggs

When you have bed bugs, look for tiny, oval-shaped brown eggs. They may be found in dark crevices or seams on mattresses, furniture, and box springs. These eggs hatch into larvae (immature bed bugs), which look like light-colored flour. When they mature, they’re reddish-brown, their bodies are flat, rusty brown, and wingless. Adults range from 1 mm to 5 mm in length. If you see any evidence of these insects, contact a pest control professional immediately. Don’t let them get out of hand; it can cost thousands to eradicate an infestation. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to eliminate them completely.

6) Molt Skin

When a bed bug is ready to molt it will shed its skin and leave behind its old body casing. This cast-off skin can be found on your sheets, pillowcases, and even in other areas such as cracks along your baseboards or floorboards. The only way to get rid of molt skin is to throw out your mattress and furniture. If you suspect that you have molt skin don’t wait for more signs, try to use a bed bug solution or contact an exterminator immediately!

7) Tiny white spots on your furniture’s joints

On average, a bed bug is about as long as an apple seed. Those spots are the first clue that you might have an infestation. The critters scurry around on your furniture and leave behind little crumbs when they feed. They can also spread bacteria, but they’re not harmful to you or your pets. If you start noticing any of these signs, call a professional pest control service to handle your situation before it gets out of hand.

8) Changes in Pet Behavior

Changes in pet behavior is one of the most common signs that there may be a bed bug infestation taking place. If your dog or cat has been spending more time indoors and their typically outgoing behaviors have become lethargic or timid, it could be possible that they have been bitten by a bed bug or have developed an allergic reaction to a bed bug bite. In addition, if you notice your pet scratching at unusual times or exhibiting other strange behaviors (such as excessive licking), these are also signs that should not be ignored.

9) Dark Spots on Walls

Before they can begin biting you, bed bugs need to feed. They do so by piercing human skin and drinking our blood (yuck). This can cause a lot of itching, so it’s not hard to imagine that your bedroom could be one major hotspot for bed bug activity. In addition to getting bitten, you may notice dark spots on your walls or even behind your headboard. These are telltale signs that something’s up!

10) Live or Dead Bugs

Live or dead bed bugs is also a sign that you have an infestation. As mentioned above, live bed bugs can be identified by their dark brown color and flat bodies. Dead ones are lighter in color and often appear to be shriveled up. Either way, if you find any bugs at all in your home, it’s time to start looking for signs of bed bug activity. A good place to start is along baseboards and behind furniture where they like to hide during daylight hours.

Final word

In a nutshell, determining if your home has bed bugs can be challenging, especially if you don’t know what to check. Thankfully, this piece has all the details required to tell if you’re living with bed bugs or not. In case these insects have infested your home, feel free to try this product or reach out to an exterminator immediately!