Signs of bed bug activity

There are 7 main signs to look out for when searching for bed bug problems, and because the bugs and their tell tale signs can be very small, it is useful to have a magnifying glass and torch when you are looking.

• 1. Bed bug bites:
  The first indication that you may have a potential problem is the discovery of insect bites on your body.
  The bite itself is painless, however, it is an irritant and you may develop an itchy red welt or localised swelling which appears a day or so after the initial bite, though some people have little or no reaction.
  Constant scratching of the bite can cause skin infections and scars and although the potential to transmit disease is there, there is no scientific proof that they do so. If you have worries always seek medical advice.
  


• 2. Bed bugs:
  While looking for signs of bed bug activity you may actually come across the bug itself. Its colour and size will depend on the stage of growth that the bug is at, anything from a light opaque, pale yellow/white colour for a early stage nymph to a dark reddish brown for a more mature bug.
  


• 3. Bed bug faecal matter:
  The faecal matter deposited by bed bugs is usually quite easy to spot, especially in larger infestations where it appears as dark brown/black spots that can be very difficult to remove from certain materials, such as the type of cloth found covering mattresses.
  
  Here we see faecal matter on an expensive mattress.
  
  It shows the mess/damage that bed bugs can inflict on bedding and the dark stains that are very evident here, indicate that the bugs have been busy feeding. This is because once they have fed, they deposit their waste after each meal, every dark spot is a bed bug meal. Here are more photographs of faecal waste, this time found on the wooden slats of the bed underneath the mattress, this is another common area in which to find bedbug faeces. Other common areas are around the edges, corners and buttons on mattresses.
  


• 4. Blood:
  Blood spotting found on bedding. This could be spillage from the host, a crushed bug, or more likely, the engorged bug is so bloated, it has to eject a little water/blood to give itself more mobility, this is so it can make its way back to its harbourage.
  


• 5. Bed bug cast skins:
  Bed bugs go through five stages of growth before reaching maturity, and at each stage they will require a blood meal, then cast their skin. The Skins can be hard to see, especially from smaller nymphs, again, it is advisable to use a torch and a good magnifying glass.
  


• 6. Bed bug eggs:
  Eggs are very small and quite hard to detect, they measure about the size of a pin head. They are pale/white in colour and may be seen in either an un-hatched or hatched condition. Because of their small size, they can be easily missed, so when searching for this type of evidence, it is advisable to use a torch and a good magnifying glass.
  


• 7. Smell:
  In heavily infected areas, it is common to find a sweet almond smell. Over time, you may grow accustomed to the odour and not be aware of its presence, however, your technician will almost certainly pick this up.

It is a good idea to check the following areas for bed bug activity:

• Any rooms that are used a lot such as sitting rooms, bed rooms, offices
• Bed heads
• Mattresses, including around any seams, under buttons, top and bottom
• Bed frames
• Bed base and under any material covering it
• Around legs and casters of the bed base
• Furniture top and bottom, turn furniture over and check base
• Telephones and sockets
• Plug sockets and electrical appliances like televisions, radios, computers
• Skirting boards
• Architraves
• Carpet edges and under any loose carpet
• Floor boards
• Behind pictures/mirrors
• Any cracks and crevices in joins and mouldings in walls, floors, ceilings
• Books, between pages and bindings
• Bedding
• curtains and poles

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