How to Check Your Bed for Bed Bugs
A comprehensive guide to inspecting your bed for signs of bed bugs
Inspection Areas
Mattress
Primary hiding spot for bed bugs
Seams and Edges
Carefully examine all seams, piping, and edges of the mattress
- Dark spots (droppings)
- Shed skins
- Live bugs
- Eggs
Tufts and Buttons
Check around any tufted areas or buttons on the mattress
- Clusters of bugs
- Stains
- Eggs in crevices
- Molted skins
Surface
Inspect the entire mattress surface
- Blood stains
- Fecal matter
- Live bugs
- Movement
Box Spring
Common harborage location
Frame Contact Points
Examine where box spring meets bed frame
- Bug clusters
- Dark marks
- Egg deposits
- Shell casings
Corner Guards
Check plastic corner protectors
- Hidden bugs
- Eggs
- Droppings
- Shed skins
Underside
Inspect the bottom fabric cover
- Tears with bugs
- Stain patterns
- Bug activity
- Breeding sites
Bed Frame
Important secondary inspection area
Joints and Corners
Check all connecting points and corners
- Bug aggregations
- Fecal traces
- Egg clusters
- Live activity
Headboard
Thoroughly inspect headboard attachment points
- Hidden colonies
- Stain marks
- Egg sites
- Active bugs
Slats
Examine bed slats and supports
- Bug hiding spots
- Droppings
- Shed skins
- Eggs
Required Tools
Flashlight
Bright light for detailed inspection
- Illuminate dark areas
- Spot movement
- Examine crevices
- Detect eggs
Magnifying Glass
For close examination of suspicious areas
- Identify eggs
- Confirm droppings
- Examine shells
- Verify live bugs
Credit Card/Thin Tool
For probing tight spaces
- Scrape seams
- Check crevices
- Disturb hiding spots
- Collect samples
White Gloves
For protection and better visibility
- Handle items safely
- See dark bugs clearly
- Protect hands
- Collect evidence
What to Look For
Live Bugs
Adult bed bugs are apple-seed sized, brown insects
Document and contact professional immediately
Dark Spots
Black or brown stains from droppings
Mark locations and check surrounding areas
Shell Casings
Translucent, empty shells from molting
Indicates active infestation, requires treatment
Eggs
Tiny, pearl-white eggs in clusters
Breeding site identified, needs immediate attention
After the Inspection
Document Findings
Record all evidence of bed bugs
- Take clear photos
- Note locations
- Mark affected areas
- Create inspection report
Contain Infestation
Prevent spread to other areas
- Isolate affected items
- Use mattress encasements
- Seal cracks and crevices
- Reduce clutter
Plan Treatment
Develop action plan based on findings
- Assess infestation level
- Choose treatment method
- Schedule professional service
- Prepare for treatment
Need Professional Help?
If you find signs of bed bugs during your inspection, it's important to act quickly. Our professional pest control team can provide thorough inspection and treatment services.
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