Waking up with itchy marks makes most people think of bed bugs straight away. However, bites are the weakest clue you have. The stronger evidence is on your bedding, your bed frame and the furniture nearby.

This guide shows what to look for, where to look and what to do next. It also explains when a monitor can help you decide.

Why bites alone do not confirm bed bugs

Bed bug bites are raised, itchy bumps. They often sit in a rough line or in a group, usually on skin that is bare while you sleep, such as the face, neck and arms. That description fits many other insect bites too, so you cannot rely on it.

Reactions also vary a great deal. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that some people show no physical signs at all, and that marks can appear one to several days after the bite. As a result, a person may be bitten for days before they see anything. If you want help telling these causes apart, read how to tell bed bugs from other bites and pests.

Signs on bedding and furniture

The NHS lists three main signs of bedbugs. These are bites, spots of blood on your bedding, and small brown spots on bedding or furniture. The brown spots are bedbug droppings.

The CDC adds a few more. Look for shed skins, which bed bugs leave behind as they grow. Rusty-coloured blood spots on mattresses or nearby furniture are another clue. Some people also notice a sweet, musty smell.

Live bugs are the proof that settles the question. Adults are around 5mm long and can be dark yellow, red or brown, according to the NHS. Young bugs are smaller, and eggs are tinier still, so a torch and a magnifying glass help.

Where to check on a bed

Start with the mattress, because bed bugs tend to live close to where people sleep. The CDC says they usually stay within about 8 feet of the bed. Therefore, check there before you search the whole house.

Next, work through these spots one at a time:

  1. Run a torch along the mattress seams, piping and labels.
  2. Lift the mattress and check the base and slats.
  3. Look in cracks in the bed frame and headboard.
  4. Check the pillow cases and the folds of the sheets.

The NHS says bedbugs can also hide behind pictures and under loose wallpaper. For that reason, scan the wall behind the headboard as well. Keep a note of what you find and where, because it shows you which area to watch.

Checking a sofa or chair

Bed bugs are not limited to bedrooms. If you sleep or doze on a sofa, check it too. Pull off the cushions and look along the seams, then examine the underside and the frame.

The same signs apply here. For example, look for small dark spots, rusty marks and shed skins in the crevices. In addition, check any second-hand piece before it comes indoors, as the NHS advises. Our guide to second-hand furniture bed bug checks walks you through it.

Bed bugs after a trip

Bed bugs travel in the seams and folds of luggage, bags and clothes. Most people do not realise they are carrying them. So if you notice marks after a stay away, inspect your suitcase and your bed soon after you get home.

The NHS also warns against taking luggage or clothing indoors without careful checks if you know bed bugs were present. Our post on bed bugs after travel covers a sensible routine. Meanwhile, keep clutter away from your bed, because it gives bugs more places to hide.

When a monitor helps

Sometimes you do a careful search and find nothing, yet the bites continue. This is where a monitor earns its place. Interceptor cups under the bed legs catch bugs as they climb up or down, so they show activity without any guesswork.

First, make sure the cups fit your furniture. Our guide to measuring bed legs for interceptors explains how. You can also compare sticky traps and lure-based active monitors, and our how to use bed bug traps page covers placement.

Be realistic about what a trap can tell you. A catch is a useful sign of activity. However, an empty trap is not proof that your home is clear, and traps do not remove an infestation. Read what traps can and cannot do before you rely on one.

What to do if you find signs

If you find live bugs, shed skins or spots, take photos and note the locations. The NHS says you should contact your local council or a pest control service. It explains that bed bugs are hard to find and may resist some insecticides, so home treatment is unlikely to clear them completely.

A professional inspection can confirm what you have and how far it has spread. Our guide to professional bed bug inspection in the UK explains what to expect. In the meantime, see our comparison of the best bed bug traps if you want a monitor in place while you wait.

For bites themselves, the NHS suggests a cool, damp cloth and avoiding scratching. A pharmacist can advise on creams and antihistamines. See a GP if the pain or swelling spreads.

Sources

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