How to check for bed bugs and what to do if you find them

Bed bugs are a worldwide nuisance and have become a growing problem.

Bed bugs are small, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans or animals. They do not transmit diseases, but their bites can cause itching, discomfort, and allergic reactions.

Bed bugs are experts at hiding in small spaces; spotting them requires close inspection particularly of sleeping areas. Bed bugs are most active at night when people are sleeping. During the day, they hide in dark, concealed places such as the seams of mattresses, bed frames, furniture crevices, baseboards, and even electrical outlets.

Bed bugs are reddish-brown in color. They do not have wings. They are small (about the size of an apple seed or smaller) and flat, which allows them to squeeze into tiny spaces.

Bed bugs can survive for months without feeding, which allows them to remain hidden until the conditions are right for them to emerge. For this reason, many people may have an infestation without realizing it until it becomes active.

Even when the bugs are active, low-level infestations are hard to detect, and most people only see signs of bed bugs rather than the bugs themselves. If you have a large number of bed bugs, you may see the bugs.

The first signs of bed bugs are often small, itchy bites on your skin, face, neck, arms, hands, or other body parts that you notice after arising from sleep. Bed bug bites typically occur in clusters rather than as individual bites. However, some people may not show any marks or experience any itching at all.

Other signs that suggest you may have bed bugs in your home include:

The only way to stop bed bug bites is to eliminate the bugs. Identifying and eliminating the infestation early can prevent the bugs from spreading and causing further discomfort.

Dermatologists and pest control experts recommend carefully looking for signs of bed bugs in and around areas where people sleep. To perform a bed bug inspection, follow these steps:

If you suspect a bed bug infestation, act quickly to prevent it from getting worse. Female bed bugs lay one to three eggs per day.

If you choose to handle a bed bug infestation on your own, there are more than 300 products approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to control bed bugs. You can use the EPA's Bed Bug Product Search tool to find the best pesticide for your needs.

Consider hiring a professional pest control service experienced in bed bug eradication for severe infestations. They may use heat treatments, insecticides, or other methods to eliminate pests effectively.

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How to check for bed bugs and what to do if you find them