Of course, you can’t get rid of an infestation if you don’t know it exists. It’s always best to find an infestation as early as possible, as it will be easier to get rid of the critters the earlier they are found. That being said, infestations that have not gotten completely out of hand are also more difficult to find and correct. Bed bugs are also easily mistaken for other bugs sometimes, such as carpet beetles. Due to this, many homeowners try to eliminate another problem, while the bed bugs keep spreading through the home.
There are a few classic signs that you may have bed bugs in your home. These include rusty or reddish spots on the bed sheets or on the mattress. This occurs when people roll over in their sleep and crush the bugs. Other spots may appear dark, which shows a bed bug’s excrement. This can bleed into the fabric the way dyes would. Another telltale sign that you have a bed bug problem are the eggs of bed bugs. These are very small, approximately one millimeter in size.
So, now that you know what to look for, where exactly should you look? There are a few common places bed bugs like to camp out. These include:
- Furniture: When checking furniture for bed bugs, pay special attention to the seams of chairs and couches, around cushioned areas, and in the folds of furniture.
- In drawers: The joints of drawers, which is where the two sides meet and form a corner. If there are interlocking components of the drawers, check these areas for bed bugs, as well.
- Appliances and outlets: Fully examine electrical outlets to ensure there are no bed bugs inside the outlet, or around its cover.
- Around walls: There are certain areas in walls bed bugs like to live. These include around wallpaper, particularly if it’s loose, wall hangings, and where the floor and ceiling meet.
A good rule of thumb is to remember that bed bugs can fit anywhere a credit card can and they will be relatively close to their food source. As such, check even the nooks and crannies of areas, looking for these small spaces.
