How Do I Know if I Have Bed Bugs?
Whether you think you may have found a bed bug or you're taking a preventative measure searching for bed bug signs, this guide will help you know what you're looking for.
(Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org)
Adult bed bugs are tiny - measuring 1/4" with flat bodies similar to an apple seed. Since bed bugs only feed every 3-7 days for less than 10 minutes, it's more common to find evidence that they've been there rather than the bug themselves. Common signs include:
- Tiny reddish brown stains from their excrement
(Gary Alpert, Harvard University, Bugwood.org)
- Their exoskeleton after molting. These cast skins will be a transparent shell the size of a bed bug.
(Gary Alpert, Harvard University, Bugwood.org)
A first indicator of the presence of bed bugs can also be curious itchy red welts from their bites; however the reaction typically takes nearly 2 weeks to present after a first bite.
(Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org)
If you have found signs of bed bugs, please reference our Bed Bug Guide to conduct a thorough inspection and begin treatment.
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