Do you have bed bugs?
How to tell if you have bed bugs.
Do you think you might have bed bugs? Hopefully you do not! See our helpful tips below.
Bed Bug Bites Are The First Sign
That bed bugs have invaded your home.
Bed bugs are blood suckers, just like mosquitoes. Bed bugs don’t fly. They hide in your furniture while you are active and awake. If you are resting or sleeping they come out of their hiding places to attack.
Some people have bad reactions from bed bug bites. Itchy, swollen bites can appear in groups on the neck, ankles, arms, and along the sides of trunk.
Other people are getting bitten by bed bugs, yet have no itchy bites. Everyone’s skin is different.
How to inspect for bed bugs
Inspect for bed bugs yourself
Supplies
The only tool you’ll need is a flashlight. Wear nitrile gloves in case you crush a bed bug full of blood. Have a smart phone handy to take photos of what you find. Make sure to enable flash.
- Flashlight
- Smart Phone
- Nitrile Gloves
Prepare
Be ready to inspect for bed bugs by making sure you are able to safely lift your mattress all the way off your box spring. If you are unable to lift the mattress yourself, then ask family or friends to help. Make sure there is space in the room to allow you move the mattress off of the box spring and/or bed frame, to stand the mattress on its end.
Steps to Inspect a Bed for Bed Bugs
- Pull back the covers, inspecting the inside and edges of the bedding. Bundle the blankets, sheets, and pillow cases. Move the bundle of bedding off of the mattress. If you find a bed bug, STOP. TAKE A CLEAR PHOTO. Your job is done. If you do not find a bed bug then CONTINUE to step 2.
- Before lifting the mattress, inspect all of the seams of the mattress that you can see on the top and sides of the mattress. If you find a bed bug, STOP. TAKE A CLEAR PHOTO. Your job is done. If you do not find a bed bug then CONTINUE to step 3.
- Carefully move the mattress off of the box spring and/or bed frame. Inspect the bottom seams of the mattress that you could not see before. If you find a bed bug STOP. TAKE A CLEAR PHOTO. Your job is done. If you do not find a bed bug then CONTINUE to step 4.
- Lift the box spring of of the frame or floor to inspect the bottom of the box spring. Pay careful attention to the bottom edge of the box spring where the dust cover is stapled. If you find a bed bug STOP. TAKE A CLEAR PHOTO. Your job is done. If you do not find a bed bug then CONTINUE to step 5.
- Move or Detach the head board and bed frame from the wall. Inspect all cracks of wooden bed frames on all sides.
