How to check for Bed Bugs. Tips on identifying and treating for Bed Bugs.
- Jon Amaral
- Apr 10
- 5 min read
Although Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius) are not known vectors of any disease, they are one of the most feared pests species to home owners.
They can be difficult to identify and can lead to a lot of physical and mental stress.
A lot of information online can make it seem like Bed Bugs are an unsolvable problem but any infestation can be remedied with knowledge, resources and time.
In this article we will over how to check for bed bugs and what to do to get rid of them.
How To Check For Bed Bugs
Usually the first thing that makes a person think they have bedbugs are bumps on their skin.
While this can be a helpful indicator that you have bed bugs, the problem is it is not concrete evidence by itself.
People can get bumps on their skin from plenty of different sources and the appearance of them can be variable and look similar to bed bugs bites.
The bumps come from an allergic reaction to the bed bug saliva, some people may have severe reactions and others might not have any reactions at all!
If you see bumps following a line up your fore arm that might be a clue that you have bed bugs but you shouldn’t assume you do until you see further evidence.
The first place you should look is the mattress.
Remove the sheets, pillow cases and blankets from the mattress and look around the seams and tufts of the mattress, bed bugs prefer tight, dark areas.
The most obvious thing you should be looking for is bedbug feces, dark black marks that look like pen marks.
Other things to look for would be the eggs, shed skins, and of course the bugs themselves.
You should also look for these things around the headboard, boxspring, baseboards and nightstands.
Other areas might be in dresser drawers, door frames, window frames, and really any crack or crevice.
Most infestations start and stay close to the bed until the population is overpopulated or disturbed, so it is wise to look there first.
Bed Bug Hiding Spots
Like Cockroaches, bed bugs are thigmotactic, meaning they prefer the physical contact of being in cramped spaces to feel protected.
Because of this they will be spending most of their time in cracks and crevices in dark hidden areas.
When their host is asleep, the emission of CO2 amongst other senses will give them the trigger to move out of their hiding spots and feed.
The most common areas for them to hide would be around the seams of the mattress or between the mattress and boxspring.
Where the boxspring meets the bedframe should also be an area of major concern.
The box spring and bedframe are excellent hiding spots for bed bugs because of the cracks between the wooden and plastic parts holding them together.
It is also a good idea to remove the dresser drawers and look thoroughly at all the cracks and crevices inside there as well.
Couches and upholstered furniture can also be areas of concern, especially if people are napping or sleeping in them regularly.
These areas can be difficult to inspect due to the fabric covering a lot of the wooden structure of the furniture and also the creases in the fabric itself.
When inspecting any of these areas make sure to look thoroughly and move the items around to look at them from multiple angles.
Treatments For Bed Bugs
There are thousands of different products that are marketed for bedbugs so it would be impossible to describe them in detail here but I will go over a few details of a couple of them here.
Liquid spray applications are probably the most used and cost efficient way to handle bedbug infestations.
Bed bugs can be resistant to pesticides so it is important to stay up to date on that data as much as possible.
For that reason I do recommend contacting a professional, usually they will know the importance of using multiple modes of application when treating for bed bugs.
At the time of writing this article, pyrethroids are what bed bugs are known to be most resistant to in general, but new studies come out regularly, and it is always wise to use other Integrated pest management practices to minimize bed bug activity.
Heat treatments can be effective at killing bedbugs, but it can be very costly.
The temperature needed to kill bedbugs needs to be over 120°F and it can be difficult for that heat to penetrate into every area of the home.
While this heat should kill any stages it makes contact with, it would be wise to leave residual pesticide in cracks and crevices for any chance of reinfestation or for areas the heat can’t reach.
Vaccuming or otherwise physically removing the bugs can also help out tremendously.
Removing the bugs on a daily basis can keep the numbers knocked down, especially in a heavy infestation.
The down side of physical removal is that it can be difficult to get to all of the bugs that are hidden deep in furniture or a wall void.
It is important to note for any product or service you use, to read the instructions or recommendations and follow them.
Ways To Prevent Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are great hitchhikers, usually they are spread from people traveling or through furniture being introduced to a property.
For that reason the best way to prevent bed bug infestations is incorporate thorough inspections when you travel or pick up new furniture.
This can be tricky, but you want to look at the cracks and crevices of your clothing and luggage before putting everything back after travel.
When purchasing furniture check in the folds and seams for any sign of bed bugs as soon as you get it and report it to who you purchased it from before it is fully moved in to your home.
If you ever have to spend time in an area that you are sure is infested with bed bugs, do a thorough inspection of your clothing before entering your home.
Even if no evidence is found you should still launder your clothing in the highest heat setting possible without damaging the clothes to kill any possible bed bugs on that item.
You may want to purchase encasements for the mattress and boxspring, ensuring that they are able to be zipped up completely.
This will trap any bedbugs in the mattress if you have an active infestation, and prevent the bugs from finding harborage in the cracks and crevices of the mattress or boxspring.
It may also be wise to seal gaps around baseboards and pipes to block out other possible hiding spots for the bugs.
Summary
No matter what product or service you use, it is always important to stay vigilant and do what you can to minimize the conditions in your home for bed bugs.
If there is any question you have a problem you should do your own inspection of your bed and adjacent areas.
If you see signs of bedbug infestation or you don’t know what you are looking for you should call a professional before your problem escalates.
If you need help with a bed bug issue in our area call us for help.
Jon Amaral, ACE, PHE
New Bedford Pest Control
113 Allen Street New Bedford, MA
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