How to Check for Bed Bugs: Bed Bug Inspection Tips
Checking for bed bugs is all about a thorough visual inspection. Whether it’s your bed, couch, new apartment, or a hotel room, knowing where and how to look is key to spotting these pests early and preventing an infestation.
How Do You Check for Bed Bugs?
To check for bed bugs, gather a flashlight, magnifying glass, gloves, and a flat-edged tool for seams and crevices. Begin by removing bedding and carefully inspecting mattress seams, tags, and piping. Don’t forget the box spring, headboard, and bed frame. Look closely for live bugs, shed skins, tiny eggs, stains, or a musty odor.
What Do You Look for When Looking for Bed Bugs?
When looking for bed bugs, focus on:
- Small, reddish-brown bugs about the size of an apple seed
- Rusty or red stains from crushed bugs
- Dark fecal spots that resemble marker dots
- Translucent shed skins and tiny white eggs
- A faint, musty, sweet odor produced by the bugs
These indicators can often be found in combination, rather than in isolation, giving you a clear picture of whether bed bugs are present.
How to Check a Bed for Bed Bugs
To check a bed thoroughly, strip all linens and pillows and examine every seam, edge, tag, and tuft. Use a flashlight and a flat-edged tool to explore cracks and folds. Inspect the underside of the mattress, the box spring, and the area behind the headboard, as bed bugs often hide in tight spaces.
Bed bugs are experts at hiding in small, protected spaces. Inspecting every nook is essential for reliable detection.
Where to Look for Bed Bugs on a Mattress
To look for bed bugs on your mattress, pay attention to areas that provide shelter and warmth: the deep seams, tufts, folds, under buttons or labels, and along mattress piping and corners. The edges where the mattress meets the frame are also common hiding spots.
Where Else to Check for Bed Bugs in Your Home
Bed bugs rarely limit themselves to beds. Check bedside furniture, including drawers and joints, as well as upholstered sofas and chairs. Inspect baseboards, electrical outlets, wall cracks, picture frames, and moldings. Thoroughly examining these areas can help detect infestations before they spread.
How to Check for Bed Bugs on a Couch
Couches are a common hiding spot for bed bugs because of their seams, cushions, and tight joints. To check effectively, start by removing all cushions and thoroughly inspecting the seams, tufts, and any zipper areas. Pay close attention to the folds and creases where fabric meets the frame, as bed bugs often hide in narrow gaps that are difficult to see. Use a flashlight to look underneath the couch and along the joints and frame, including the underside where the upholstery meets the wood or metal. Don’t forget to check any attached pillows, armrests, and even the space between cushions, as these are favorite hiding places for both adult bed bugs and their eggs.
How to Check for Bed Bugs in a New Apartment
Even if your new apartment is unfurnished, it’s important to inspect for bed bugs before bringing in your belongings. Bed bugs can hide in cracks, crevices, and baseboards, and previous tenants may have left behind infestations.
Steps to check for bed bugs in a new apartment:
- Inspect walls and baseboards: Look for tiny dark spots, shed skins, or eggs along cracks and corners.
- Check electrical outlets, light switches, and window sills: Bed bugs can hide behind plates and frames.
- Examine closets and storage spaces: Pay attention to corners, shelving, and any remaining furniture.
- Look behind picture frames or wall decorations: Bed bugs often seek elevated, hidden areas.
- Inspect floors and carpets: Even small cracks or gaps in flooring can harbor bed bugs.
Tip: Before moving in, bring a flashlight and carefully inspect every area where furniture, beds, or personal items will be placed. Catching an infestation early can save you the hassle of treating your new home later.
How Do You Check for Bed Bugs in a Hotel?
How do you know if your hotel has bed bugs? To check for bed bugs in a hotel room, begin immediately after entering the room, before placing luggage or belongings on the bed or furniture. Use a flashlight to examine mattress seams, edges, and tags, as well as the box spring and the area behind the headboard. Don’t stop at the bed—inspect nightstands, chairs, couches, and any other furniture in the room. Look closely for blood spots, shed skins, dark fecal stains, or live bugs, which are telltale signs of an infestation.
It’s also important to take precautions with your luggage. Keep suitcases on a hard surface or luggage rack away from the bed and upholstered furniture. Avoid placing bags directly on the floor, bed, or chairs until you’ve completed the inspection. This practice helps prevent accidentally transporting bed bugs home with you. By being thorough and proactive, you can reduce the risk of encountering an infestation during your stay.
When to Call a Professional
If your bed bug inspection leads to the discovery of bed bugs or signs of an infestation, it’s time to take action. Depending on the severity of the problem, you may need to call in a professional pest control service to eliminate the pests. A trained technician will have access to more advanced treatment options, such as heat treatments, insecticides, and even bed bug dog inspections to help resolve the problem effectively.
For those looking for a fast and reliable solution to bed bug infestations, Premier Canine Detection is the expert in bed bug inspections and control. With years of experience and a team of highly trained bed bug-sniffing dogs, we provide accurate and thorough inspections, pinpointing even the most hidden infestations. If you suspect bed bugs and need professional assistance, don’t wait—contact us today to schedule an inspection and take the first step toward a bed bug-free environment.