Early-stage bed bugs (nymphs) look like tiny, translucent or whitish-yellow versions of adults, becoming pale cream to light brown as they grow, and are hard to spot until they feed, turning reddish; you'll often see their pearly-white eggs (pinhead-sized) or dark fecal spots before seeing the actual bugs, especially in mattress seams, bed frames, or nearby furniture.
The first clue suggesting that you may have a bed bug infestation is often the presence of itching bites. However, bites reactions are quite variable and may not be due to bed bugs at all. Be aware of the other signs that bed bugs leave behind: fecal spots, molted skins, and aggregations.
Bugs often mistaken for bed bugs include bat bugs, carpet beetles (especially larvae), cockroach nymphs, fleas, booklice, swallow bugs, mites, and spider beetles, due to similarities in size, shape, or causing similar bites/irritations, but key differences lie in their antennae, body shape, host preference, and location (e.g., bat bugs near bats, fleas near pets).
To know if you have bed bugs, look for itchy bites (often in rows on exposed skin), reddish or dark spots (feces) on bedding, rust-colored stains, tiny pale eggs or shed skins (exoskeletons), and inspect mattress seams, bed frames, and furniture for the actual bugs, which are small, flat, and reddish-brown. A musty, sweet smell can also indicate a severe infestation, according to the Better Health Channel and SA Health.
Many people cannot feel bed bugs crawling due to their quiet, swift movement and small size. Skin sensitivity varies; some individuals might notice a slight tickling or itching, while others may feel nothing. Bed bugs are nocturnal, often hiding during the day, making detection by crawling sensation less likely.
Because bed bugs are attracted to warmth where they're most likely to find their food source, using various methods to heat the suspected infected areas could be helpful. Try heating your bed (or any infected area) with a steamer, blow dryer, or heater to bring bugs out of hiding.
Showering can help remove any bed bugs present on your skin temporarily, as water and soap can disrupt their ability to cling to surfaces. However, showering alone is not sufficient to eliminate a bed bug infestation, as these pests primarily reside in hidden cracks and crevices within your home.
Natural scents like tea tree oil and peppermint oil can help repel bed bugs when used around sleeping areas. Some oils, like neem and orange oil, may help kill bed bugs or slow down their ability to spread.
Biting zones
They don't usually walk on the body, but bite from sheets or mattresses. The areas accessible to bedbugs, and where most bites can be found, are mainly the back of the arms, the hips, the back of the legs, the lower back…
High heat (steam, hot dryer) and some contact sprays like rubbing alcohol or specific low-toxicity sprays kill bed bugs and their eggs instantly, but complete eradication requires persistent treatment like vacuuming, sealing cracks, using diatomaceous earth (DE), and washing items at high temperatures. While chemicals work, heat is highly effective, killing bugs in all life stages on contact, especially when temperatures reach 60°C (140°F) or higher, according to health.vic.gov.au and myhealth1st.com.au.
Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs do not actually live in hair—though they may bite at your scalp. They prefer to live in dark, secluded spaces, such as behind your bed, between furniture and walls, or within cracks on your floorboard.
Bed bugs usually feed every three to seven days but can survive several months to a year without feeding.
Their flat shape enables them to readily hide in cracks and crevices. Bed bugs cannot fly. Bed bugs hide during the day in dark, protected sites. They seem to prefer fabric, wood, and paper surfaces.
Bed bug bites typically appear as small, red, raised welts on the skin. They often occur in clusters or linear patterns, reflecting the bug's feeding behavior along the edge of exposed skin. Unlike flea bites, bed bug bites may not be immediately noticeable, sometimes taking several days to develop.
Bed bugs usually come from places where people sleep or rest for long periods. Hotels, motels, dorm rooms, and apartment buildings are frequent hotspots. Public transportation, movie theaters, and waiting rooms can also harbor bed bugs. Bed bugs often latch onto luggage, backpacks, purses, or clothing.
However, they are not as effective as professional bed bug control solutions and can often push bed bugs into areas they may not have been found otherwise.
Although it has a strong odor, there isn't much evidence to support the claim that Vicks VapoRub can help repel bedbugs or prevent bedbug bites. Scents like clove, citronella, and thyme may work better to keep bedbugs away.
Cockroaches: Certain cockroach species like the American Cockroaches are known to scavenge on bed bugs. Mites: Predatory mites like Androlaelaps Schaeferi also target bed bugs and their eggs and nymphs.
Do not squish a bed bug as it will release the blood and any pathogens it may be carrying. Resist the urge to scratch the bites. your agency's policy in regards to whether a doctor's order is required.)
Early signs of bed bugs include itchy bites in lines or clusters, rusty or dark spots on bedding (fecal stains), tiny pale eggs or shed skins in mattress seams, and a sweet, musty odor; you need to inspect mattress seams, bed frames, and furniture for these physical clues, as bites alone aren't always definitive.
You should not throw away your mattress after it has been infested by bed bugs. This is discouraged because getting rid of your infested items can contribute to the spread of bed bugs. Some of the best ways to get rid of bed bugs in your mattress include: Take the linens off and wash them in hot water.
➡️ Bed bugs mainly hide in mattresses, bed bases, cracks, skirting boards and furniture near the bed. ➡️ To find a nest, inspect bedding, furniture and dark corners with a torch and magnifying glass, ideally at night when they are active.
Bed bugs are averse to slick surfaces like glass, plastic, and polished metals and stone. They can, however, grasp and cling onto textiles and porous materials like wood.
Bed bugs lay eggs in a lot of places, but we highly doubt they are going to lay eggs in anyone's ear. They will, however, lay eggs in the seams of a suitcase, a pocketbook, a sleeping bag, a piece of clothing, and more.