7 Telltale Signs of Bed Bugs: Identification & Early Detection Guide

Adult Bed Bug Next to a Penny for Size Comparison. You can see bed bugs with the naked eye.

Adult Bed Bug Size

Early Signs of Bed Bugs on Your Body and Bedding

Bed Bug Bites on Leg

To catch a bed bug infestation early, you must look for subtle physical evidence before the population explodes. While most people first notice unexplained bite marks, these are often unreliable on their own because everyone reacts differently to bed bug saliva. Actual bedbug bites typically appear in a characteristic linear or zigzag pattern, often referred to as a 'breakfast, lunch, and dinner' line.

Bed bug eggs are pearly-white and roughly 1mm, often mistaken for sesame seeds.

Mystery "Seeds" in Bed: Do Bed Bug Eggs Look Like Sesame Seeds?

A common question for those experiencing low level infestations is whether they are seeing seeds in their bed. Adult bed bugs are reddish-brown and flat, closely resembling an apple seed in size and shape. However, bed bug eggs are much smaller (1mm) and pearly-white. These tiny, oval eggs are frequently mistaken for sesame seeds or white grain-like debris found in mattress seams.

Hidden Evidence: Where to Inspect for Low Level Infestations

Signs of Bed Bugs From Left to Right (Fecal Stains on Wall, Mattress, Wall, Pillow)

Because Cimex lectularius has flat bodies, they can squeeze into tiny spaces that are easily missed during a casual glance. To find bed bugs before they spread throughout your living conditions, you must meticulously inspect seams within 6 to 10 feet of where people sleep.

• The Mattress and Box Spring: Meticulously check the piping, tags, and the wooden frame under the dust cover of the box spring for fecal marks.
• Bed Frames and Furniture: Use a bright flashlight to peer into drawer joints, screw holes, and the back of headboards.
• Nearby Furniture: Do not overlook the folds of curtains, the undersides of upholstered furniture, or the gaps in nightstands.
• Walls and Fixtures: High-risk areas for low level infestations include the space behind wall hangings, inside electrical outlets, and along baseboards.

Identifying Bed Bug Look-Alikes

It is common to mistake carpet beetles, fleas, or cockroach nymphs for bed bugs. While bed bugs have flat bodies and move by crawling, carpet beetle larvae have tiny bristly hairs that can trigger an allergic reaction on your skin. This reaction often produces itchy bumps that many mistake for bedbug bites.

Distinguishing carpet beetles from parasitic insects like Cimex lectularius ensures you use the correct method to control bed bugs.

Hidden Evidence: Where to Inspect for Low Level Infestations

Because Cimex lectularius has flat bodies, they can squeeze into tiny spaces that are easily missed during a casual glance. To find bed bugs before they spread throughout your living conditions, you must meticulously inspect seams within 6 to 10 feet of where people sleep.

• The Mattress and Box Spring: Meticulously check the piping, tags, and the wooden frame under the dust cover of the box spring for fecal marks. Compare your mattress to these high-res images of bed bugs.
• Bed Frames and Furniture: Use a bright flashlight to peer into drawer joints, screw holes, and the back of headboards.
• Nearby Furniture: Do not overlook the folds of curtains, the undersides of upholstered furniture, or the gaps in nearby furniture like nightstands.
• Walls and Fixtures: High-risk areas for low level infestations include the space behind wall hangings, inside electrical outlets, and along baseboards.

Bed Bug Hiding Places

Bed Bugs on Mattress