How to Tell if You Have Bed Bugs (and What Else It Could Be)

You wake up with a few red, itchy marks and the first thought is often bed bugs. It might be, but bites on their own are a poor way to tell. Many people react differently, and some show no marks at all.

A better approach is to look for the bugs themselves and the traces they leave. Here is what to check, and what else could be responsible if you find nothing.

What an adult bed bug looks like

An adult bed bug is about the size of an apple pip, oval, flat and reddish-brown. After feeding it swells and looks darker and rounder. Young bugs are smaller and paler, and can be hard to spot against fabric.

Bed bugs are not fast like cockroaches and they do not jump or fly. They crawl, and they spend most of their time hidden in tight gaps close to where people sleep.

Physical signs worth hunting for

Get a torch and check the bed in daylight or with good light. Peel back the mattress edges and look along the seams, piping and any labels. Check the bed frame joints, the headboard and the slats.

You are looking for evidence rather than only live insects. Small dark spots that smear when wiped are likely bed bug droppings. Tiny pale shed skins and small, whitish eggs may sit in crevices.

• Rusty or red spots on sheets, which may be crushed bugs or blood
• Tiny black dots along mattress seams
• Pale, empty shed skins in folds and joints
• Live bugs in the headboard, bed frame or behind skirting
• A sweet, musty smell in heavy infestations

Why bites are unreliable evidence

Bed bug bites are typically small, red and itchy, often in lines or clusters on skin exposed during sleep, such as arms, shoulders, neck and face. But skin reactions vary a lot. In the same bed, one person may have many bites and another none.

Because of that, two people cannot prove or rule out bed bugs just by comparing marks. If you are worried about the bites themselves, or they look infected, speak to a pharmacist or your GP.

What else it could be

Several common problems cause similar marks. Fleas, particularly in homes with cats or dogs, tend to bite ankles and lower legs. Mosquitoes and gnats bite in warm weather, especially with windows open. Dust mites do not bite but can trigger irritation, and some skin conditions and allergic reactions look similar.

Carpet beetles are another one. Their larvae are hairy and can cause irritation in some people, and they live in carpets, wardrobes and stored clothing rather than in the bed.

• Fleas: bites low on the legs, small jumping insects, pets scratching
• Mosquitoes: single bites, often on exposed skin, seasonal
• Scabies and skin conditions: a medical matter for your GP
• Carpet beetle larvae: found in wardrobes, carpets and stored textiles

If you find signs, what next

Do not rush to throw out your mattress or spray the room. Moving infested items around can spread bugs to other rooms, and shop-bought sprays often drive them deeper into hiding. Keep bedding in a sealed bag until it can be washed hot, and avoid sleeping in other rooms, which can spread the problem.

If you are unsure what you have found, a pest controller can inspect and identify the insect. Essex Pest Solutions can confirm whether it is bed bugs and recommend a treatment plan that depends on what the inspection finds.

Frequently asked questions