How to Tell If You Have Bed Bugs: Signs, Bites and Where to Check

What bed bugs look like

Adult bed bugs are flat, oval and reddish-brown, roughly the size of an apple seed. After feeding they look rounder and darker. Young bed bugs (nymphs) are smaller and paler, almost see-through until they feed, and the eggs are tiny, pale and usually tucked into seams and cracks.

The signs that matter most

Live bugs in mattress seams, bed frame joints or sofa crevices.
Dark spots the size of a full stop on sheets, mattress piping or wood. These are droppings, and they smudge like ink if you wipe them with a damp tissue.
Shed skins: pale, empty casings left behind as nymphs grow.
Small blood smears on pillowcases or sheets.
Eggs and eggshells in seams, joints and screw holes.
A musty smell in rooms where there are a lot of them. This is usually only noticeable when an infestation is well established.

What bites can and can't tell you

Bed bug bites often show up as itchy red marks on skin that was exposed while you slept, such as arms, shoulders, neck and legs, sometimes in a line or cluster. But bites are a weak sign on their own:

Some people don't react to bed bug bites at all, so one person in a household may have marks and another none.
Bites from other insects, such as fleas from pets, and skin conditions such as allergic reactions or hives can look very similar.
Reactions can appear hours or days after the bite.

Use bites as a reason to check carefully, not as proof. If you have a strong reaction, signs of infection or you're simply unsure what the marks are, see a doctor or pharmacist.

Where to check

Use a torch and an old card or a flat spatula to look into seams and gaps. Start at the bed and work outwards.

Mattress seams, piping, labels and handles, on both sides
Divan or box spring base, especially underneath where the fabric is stapled
Bed frame joints, slats, screw holes and the back of the headboard
Bedside tables, especially drawer joints and corners
Sofa seams, cushion zips and the underside of the frame
Curtain folds, skirting edges, and loose wallpaper or peeling paint near the bed
Luggage, backpacks and bags that have been used for travel

Night or early morning is a good time to check, since bed bugs are most active while people sleep.

If you find them

Don't start moving furniture, mattresses or bags into other rooms, and don't use household insect sprays or foggers. Both can spread bed bugs further through the home and make professional treatment harder.

Take clear photos, and keep a specimen on clear tape or in a sealed bag if you can, so an operator can confirm what it is.
Wash bedding on a hot cycle and dry it on high heat, where the care labels allow it, then keep it sealed in a clean bag.
Write down which rooms and furniture are affected. This helps operators quote accurately.
Get a licensed operator to inspect. Read heat vs chemical treatment to understand the options, and the preparation checklist before treatment day.

Just back from a trip? See bed bugs after travel for what to do with your luggage.

Questions

Can I see bed bugs with the naked eye?

Yes. Adults are about the size of an apple seed and visible without magnification. Nymphs and eggs are much smaller and paler, so use a torch and look closely along seams and joints.

Do bed bug bites always mean an infestation?

No. Bites are only a clue. Other insects and skin conditions can cause similar marks, and some people don't react to bed bug bites at all. Look for the physical signs, such as live bugs, dark spots and shed skins.

Can I get rid of bed bugs by throwing away my mattress?

Usually not. Bed bugs hide in bed frames, furniture, skirting and other crevices too, so a new mattress can be re-infested. Carrying an infested mattress through the home can also spread them. Get the home inspected first.

More guides

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How to tell if you have bed bugs