Identification
How to Identify Bed Bugs
Most people arrive here uncertain. Start with what you have actually seen, then decide whether a professional inspection is worth it.
Signs commonly associated with bed bugs
These signs are frequently reported, but none of them confirm bed bugs on their own. Several other insects and skin conditions can look similar.
Dark spots on sheets or seams
Small ink-like marks along mattress seams, box springs or headboards are one of the more commonly reported signs.
Shed skins and shells
Bed bugs shed their outer casing as they grow, so translucent shells sometimes appear in cracks and folds.
Tiny white eggs in seams
Pearly-white eggs about 1 mm long, glued into seams and crevices, are sometimes found near hiding spots.
What bed bug eggs look likeBites, but no insect found
Skin reactions vary widely between people and can have many causes, so bites alone are not confirmation.
Live insects in tight spaces
Seams, screw holes, baseboards, upholstered furniture and bed frames are typical places people report finding them.
An unfamiliar smell in a heavily affected room
Some people describe a musty odour where activity has continued for a long time.
Recent travel or secondhand furniture
Hotels, shared laundry and used furniture are common ways problems are reported to start.
If you are unsure, a trained inspector can examine the room and confirm what you are dealing with before you spend money on treatment.
Identification guides
identification
What Do Bed Bug Eggs Look Like?
Bed bug eggs are tiny, white to pearl-colored, and usually about 1 millimeter long. They are often glued to mattresses, furniture, cracks, and other protected surfaces near where bed bugs hide. Learn how to identify bed bug eggs, where to look for them, and how to tell them apart from other household debris or insect eggs.
property
Does Renters Insurance Cover Bed Bugs?
Does renters insurance cover bed bugs? Usually not. Learn whether extermination, hotel stays, furniture replacement, and other bed bug costs may be covered—and when your landlord may be responsible.
identification
Bed Bugs in Baseboards
Bed bugs can hide behind baseboards, molding, and narrow wall gaps. Learn what signs to look for, why bed bugs use these spaces, how professionals treat them, and when an infestation requires professional help.
furniture
Bed Bugs in a Couch: Can Furniture Be Treated Instead of Thrown Out?
Most upholstered furniture can be treated. Discarding a couch before treatment often spreads the problem rather than solving it.
post-treatment
Still Have Bed Bugs After Treatment? Common Reasons Treatment Fails
Bed bugs surviving two or three treatments is usually a coverage or preparation problem, not bad luck. Here are the most common causes and what to do next.
identification
Bed Bug Droppings: What They Look Like and What They Mean
Dark ink-like staining on sheets, seams and bed frames is one of the most reliable early signs of bed bugs. Here is how to tell it apart from dirt, mold and other insects.
Not sure if it's bed bugs? Request an inspection.
A professional inspection can confirm whether what you are seeing is bed bugs before you spend money on treatment.