EARLY DETECTION IS KEY

Bed bugs are difficult to detect, but a sharp eye can find visible evidence in the areas bed bugs infest. Fecal deposits from bed bugs are probably the most visible evidence and appear as small, inky black spots which will smear when wetted with a damp cloth. Bedbugs feed on human blood roughly every 7 to 14 days, and much of the rest of their time is spent digesting their meal and in turn disposing of the waste.  Bed bug feces can be recognized as small clumps of semi-solid black spots and can be easily spotted near the bed area.  Some important areas to check are along the seams of the mattresses or the box spring, or other nearby furniture often just a few feet from the feeding area, such as a nightstand or chest.  There are numerous other areas that are important to consider, such as the couch or sofa or recliner.  This insect is not actually attracted to any of these areas, however they are amongst the most common areas to consider due to a regular presence of a host, which promotes bed bug feeding and reproduction.

When looking for evidence of bed bugs, also keep an eye out for skin casts which are left behind as the bed bug grows and molts. In order to progress to the next of a five stage process of development, the bed bug must feed on blood.  With each blood meal the bed bug will grow and molting occurs. A juvenile bed bug can reach the adult stage in as few as four to six weeks, and each stage will provide evidence in the form of a skin cast which, with some luck, can be spotted with a trained eye. Often times, the skin casts will be found at or near the an area which promotes or allows bed bugs to feed.  A bed bug skin cast looks a lot bedbug itself, with one notable difference in color and transparency. Upon introduction and even during the earliest stages of a developing infestation, one or two skin casts can be difficult to locate.  As an infestation progresses, the skin casts will be more readily seen due to the increase in observable evidence.

Due to their very small size, bed bug eggs can be extremely difficult to locate, however they too are visible without magnification.  Eggs can be found in all the same areas that you can find for droppings and skin casts.  A bed bug egg is small (less than 1mm), oval shaped and white or pearl in pigment. Because the adult female is laying multiple upwards of 5 eggs per day, you can often find tiny compact clusters of bed bug eggs bunched together.  It is important to note that about 1 in every 3 people do not react to bed bug bites, and will not show any form of visible irritation to the skin.  It is important to remember that not all people react to the bites of a bedbug in the same way. In some cases the infestation can be well out of hand by the time you notice actually see the first few bugs.