Signs of bed bugs

Adult bedbugs are 5mm long. Before feeding they are a flattened oval shape and light brown, but become rounder and darker after feeding. They come out at night and are attracted to the warmth of our bodies and carbon dioxide in our breath.They are usually found in bedrooms but hide in cracks and crevices during the day. The most common shelters for bedbugs are in the seams of mattresses, in crevices in the bed frame, behind furniture surrounding the bed (especially the headboard) or where the wall meets the floor. To an expert pest controller, signs of bed bugs are easy to spot but can be a little harder for the untrained and inexperienced eye. 

Here are a few of the common signs that there may bed bugs in one of your rooms.

Bed bug infestation signs

• Dark/black stains - on the mattress and surrounding area from bed bug excreta.

• Sweet scent - An unpleasant, sweet, sickly scent.

• Small dark spots - Small dark blood spots on bedding known as 'faecal pellets'.

• Live insects - despite being small (adult are only 4-5mm long) it’s possible to spot live bed bugs and shed skins.

• Blood spots - on the sheets or mattress.

Where will I find bed bugs?

• Bed frames and headboard crevices

• Mattress seams

• Carpets and underlay

• Skirting boards

• Between timber floorboards

• In cracked or broken plaster, behind peeling wallpaper

• Inside electrical sockets and fittings

• Drawers and cupboards

• Wardrobes

• Bedside cabinets

Bed bug bites

Bedbug bites are unlikely to wake the victim. They can occur anywhere on the body but are often close to blood vessels near the skin.A single bed bug may bite more than once around the same area. However, bites in different parts of the body indicate being bitten by several bed bugs. Early in a bed bug infestation, the victim may not yet be sensitised to the bites and they may not feel itchy. However, small droplets of blood on the sheets will indicate the presence of bed bugs.

Have you noticed these signs?

An inspection by Rentokil PCI will help to confirm a problem and enable our Service Technicians to offer the best solution.

Our bed bug control services is an effective way to prevent the infestation in your home or office. Contact our team to find out more.