Key points
Bed bugs multiply rapidly — a few can become hundreds within a few weeks.
Bed bug infestations can be identified by bites, droppings and cast skins in hidden areas.
Professional pest control services are most effective for eliminating severe bed bug infestations.
It’s a nightmare scenario. You’ve just climbed into your bed, eager for a good night’s rest — then, you spot a bed bug. It’s just one, but that doesn’t stop the panic from setting in as you imagine your home overrun by these tiny, bloodsucking pests.
But does finding a lone bed bug mean you’re dealing with a full-blown infestation?
Not every bed bug sighting leads to a massive problem, but knowing how to spot the difference between a few bed bugs and a small nation of mattress invaders can help you save time, money and stress as you devise an appropriate plan of attack. Some telltale signs of a bed bug infestation include frequent bed bug sightings, excessive excrement and a musty odor.
To clear up any confusion, we’ve tapped into the expertise of two pest control professionals: Allan Bossel, operations expert at BBE Bed Bug Exterminator in St. Petersburg, Florida, and James Agardy, ACE, technical and training manager at Viking Pest Control in Liberty Corner, New Jersey. These pros shared tips on distinguishing a minor bed bug problem from a major infestation.
What are common signs of bed bugs?
Early detection of bed bugs can help prevent full-blown infestations. When you have bed bugs in your home, you may occasionally notice the following signs:
- Live bed bugs
- Bed bug eggs
- Exoskeletons (molts)
- Bloodstains on sheets
- Dark spots (fecal matter)
Signs of a bed bug infestation
Once you start seeing common signs of bed bugs regularly, they’ve likely been in your home for quite some time. Having had plenty of opportunities to breed and establish themselves, these are the signs of a serious infestation:
- Bed bug clusters: Large groups of bed bugs huddle together in hiding places (check mattress folds, beneath nightstand drawers or curtain folds).
- Excessive bed bug excrement: A sudden uptick of dark spots (fecal matter) on sheets, mattresses and walls can be a less-than-hygienic sign of a bed bug infestation.
- Musty odor: Pheromones from a large infestation of bed bugs may produce a sweet, musty smell that’s hard to ignore.
- Frequent sightings: Bed bugs are typically nocturnal, so regular daytime sightings are an infestation red flag.
- Bite patterns: If you’re repeatedly finding bites on your skin and can’t find an explanation, you could be dealing with a bed bug infestation.
- Reactions from pets: Though less likely to become a blood meal, pets can also react to bed bugs. If your pets are scratching more than usual or showing signs of discomfort and do not have fleas, bed bugs could be to blame.
How do you manage a bed bug infestation?
If you find bed bugs in your home, there’s no need to panic. You just need to act quickly and effectively.
Just within a few weeks, a few bugs can easily become hundreds.
Allan Bossel
Here are a few approaches to handling a bed bug problem. You’ll likely need a combination of treatments to completely rid your home of these pests.
Vacuuming
Regular vacuuming can reduce bed bug populations by removing live bugs, eggs and nymphs from infested areas. Focus on seams, crevices and corners, and immediately dispose of the vacuum contents outside to prevent re-infestation. However, vacuuming alone is unlikely to entirely eliminate a bed bug problem.
Steam cleaning
Steam cleaning can be an effective way to kill bed bugs and their eggs on contact. High-temperature steam (above 200°F) should be applied to infested areas, offering a chemical-free approach to eliminating bed bugs.
Heat treatments
Professional heat treatments involve increasing the temperature in specific rooms or your entire home to lethal levels for bed bugs (typically above 120°F). The heat penetrates deep into furniture and walls, tackling widespread infestations.
Insecticides
Bed bug infestations are often treated with insecticides. You can purchase products or hire a pest control professional. Either way, using insecticides safely and according to the manufacturer’s instructions is necessary.
Encasem*nts
Bed bug encasem*nts for mattresses and box springs trap bed bugs inside and prevent new infestations. For best results, keep an encasem*nt on your mattress for at least a year to ensure all the bugs die off.
Natural remedies
Here are some natural ways to get rid of bed bugs:
- Silica gel: Grind the beads and spread the powder around infested areas to dehydrate and kill bed bugs. While generally considered non-flammable and non-toxic, the small beads can present a choking hazard to children and small animals.
- Rubbing alcohol: Spraying rubbing alcohol can kill bed bugs on contact.
- Essential oils: Oils such as tea tree, lavender and peppermint can repel bed bugs and reduce infestations.
- Diatomaceous earth: This natural powder dehydrates and kills bed bugs, similar to silica gel. Spread it in cracks and crevices where bed bugs hide.
Cryonite treatment
Cryonite treatment uses carbon dioxide snow to freeze and kill bed bugs. This non-toxic method leaves no residue, making it safe for use around food, pets and plants.
Professional extermination
Your best bet for curbing severe infestations is to hire a professional pest control company. Bedbugs are resilient creatures and expert hiders. Professionals have access to advanced treatments and equipment unavailable to the general public, Bossel explained.
“DIY treatments can be effective for low-level infestations, but due to the nature of bedbug habits and the intense degree of thoroughness required to successfully treat them, professional treatment is advised to control infestations,” Agardy confirmed.
Professional pest control companies such as Terminix or Orkin can also provide follow-up inspections and treatments to ensure the infestation is fully resolved.
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that thrive on human or animal blood, though they prefer human hosts. Adult bed bugs measure around 3/16 to 1/4 inch long — approximately the size of an apple seed — and appear reddish-brown.
Before feeding, bed bugs are oval-shaped and relatively flat, which allows them to hide in tiny crevices. But after feeding, they swell and become more elongated, making them much easier to spot.
Young bed bugs, or nymphs, are smaller and translucent pale yellow, making them nearly invisible if they haven’t fed recently. A female bed bug’s eggs are tiny and pearl white, about the size of a pinhead.
Common hiding places for bed bugs
Bed bugs spend most of their time hiding in hard-to-reach places, including:
- Bed frames
- Box springs
- Headboards
- Mattresses
“If you suspect you may have bed bugs the first thing you should do is inspect [your surroundings],” Agardy said.
Bed bugs like to stay close to their feeding areas, typically near beds or sleeping areas, but in heavy infestations, they may spread to other parts of the home, including couches or upholstery.
Bed bugs hide in tight spaces between feedings— behind baseboards and inside electrical outlets — as they are secure.
Other common hiding spots include inside curtain rods, on the pleats of curtains and within personal belongings such as books and stuffed animals, according to Agardy.
How to prevent bringing bed bugs into your home?
Bed bugs are notorious hitchhikers. They can easily get into your home by hitching a ride on luggage, clothes or used furniture. Even if you don’t bring them in yourself, bed bugs from a nearby neighbor (in an apartment or condo) can quickly and easily spread to your home.
Once bed bugs enter your home, they quickly find hiding spots and start breeding. A small number of bed bugs can escalate quickly into an infestation, as female bed bugs lay eggs daily and reproduce rapidly.
“Just within a few weeks, a few bugs can easily become hundreds,” Bossel said. It’s best to prevent them from entering, as dealing with an infestation can be very challenging.
Tips to avoid bed bugs when traveling
You may leave your vacation with some unpleasant souvenirs. But with some precautions, you can reduce the chances of transferring these pests from your hotel and into your house. It may not be relaxing, but start any vacation or business stay in a hotel or rental with a quick bed bug inspection. Check the mattress seams, headboard and behind picture frames for dark spots or live bugs. Pull back the bed sheets as well.
Keep your luggage off the bed. Instead, use luggage racks that make it harder for bed bugs to hitch a ride home with you.
If you do suspect you have bed bugs as roommates on your vacation, act quickly with the following steps:
Isolate belongings
Immediately isolate your belongings by placing them in sealed plastic bags.
Notify hotel staff
Inform staff about the bed bugs so they can take appropriate action and hire an experienced pest control company. Request a different room far from your infested one, or consider finding alternative accommodations.
Treat items upon returning home
When you return home, wash all clothing and fabric items in hot water and dry them using your dryer’s highest heat setting. For items that can’t be washed, consider using a steam cleaner or placing them in a hot dryer to kill any potential bed bugs.
Are bed bugs dangerous?
Bed bugs are not the most dangerous pests, but there are some risks to consider. When they bite, bed bugs inject an anesthetic and anticoagulant, which prevents you from feeling the bite right away and can delay the appearance of bite marks for up to 14 days.
In some cases, you may never notice a bite at all. But if you do, they often appear as red, itchy welts in clusters or lines on your skin. Common bite spots include the arms, legs, neck and face — areas typically most exposed during sleep.
Although not common, bed bug bites can lead to several health issues. Some people experience allergic reactions to the bites, resulting in large, painful and swollen marks. In rare cases, a severe allergic reaction can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition.
Even if your reaction is mild, excessively scratching bed bug bites can lead to secondary infections, which may require medical attention. The stress and discomfort of living with bed bugs can also cause psychological effects like insomnia and anxiety.
What’s next?
After resolving a bed bug infestation, the last thing you want to do is let your guard down. Remain vigilant to prevent another infestation from sneaking up on you.
Conduct regular home inspections, especially in areas where you had bed bugs before and where they are likely to hide. Use preventative products such as bed bug interceptors on bed legs and mattress encasem*nts to help detect and prevent new infestations. Finally, keep your home clean and clutter-free, as bed bugs thrive in messy environments.
Staying one step ahead of bed bugs significantly reduces the risk of another infestation. Remember, when you maintain a healthy, pest-free home, you can sleep tight and not let the bed bugs bite.
