The Physical Signs of Bed Bugs

Although bites can be a strong indication of bed bugs, they are not the best way to conclusively identify whether you have bed bugs. Bed bugs leave other signs that must be found to determine whether you have an infestation. Finding a live bed bug is best, but because of their amazing ability to hide, this may not always be possible. When inspecting for bed bugs, keep a look out for these other signs:

Fecal Stains (Poop) – Bed bugs leave fecal (poop) droppings and stains. The larger the infestation, the more stains and droppings you’ll find. They appear as tiny “ink dots,” such as from a black marker or pen, and can be found just about anywhere. On surfaces that are impervious to moisture, such as tile, the droppings may bead up on the surface.

Cast Skins – When bed bugs grow out of their skins, they leave the old ones behind. These normally look like paper-thin, opaque duplications of bed bugs. Depending on how long you’ve had an infestation, you may find different sizes of skin casts, since each growth stage before maturity is slightly larger than the previous one.

Blood Spots – In addition to bite marks, you may find rusty-colored blood spots on your sheets, furniture, and surrounding walls.

Peculiar Odor – You may notice a peculiar, rusty sort of odor. It comes from the bed bugs’ defecated blood and the oxidized iron in the digested blood. Odors are usually associated with bigger and longer bed bug infestations. However, like any scent, if you regularly spend time in the room you may become accustomed to the smell and not notice it.