How to help spot bed bugs beyond the bites

Drifting off to sleep may come with unexpected guests: tiny, flat creatures that feed at night. Bed bugs are tough survivors and expert travelers, turning even the coziest spaces into their hiding spots. This article will help explain how to spot bed bugs and manage potential infestations.

In this article:

What are bed bugs?

Bed bugs are tiny insects that come out at night to feed on the blood of animals while they’re asleep. They are not known to spread diseases to people.

But the bites can be itchy. Sometimes the bites can trigger allergic reactions and sleepless nights. If bed bugs are not the culprit of poor rest, CVS® has tips on how to support a better night’s sleep.

The good news is that bed bugs usually leave behind signs that can help people spot an infestation. The earlier the infestation is detected, the easier it is to treat.

What do bed bugs look like?

Adult bed bugs usually measure between five and seven millimeters long, about the size of an apple seed. Their brown bodies are oval-shaped and thin if they have not fed recently.

After feeding on blood, they swell up and turn a reddish-brown color. The younger ones, known as nymphs, are smaller in size. Without a recent meal, they can be almost invisible to the naked eye because of their translucent appearance.

Before they hatch, bed bug eggs are extremely small and white. This helps recognize what to check for in a living space.

What can cause a bed bug infestation?

Bed bugs tend to group in places near where people sleep. This may help people understand what can cause an infestation.

Where do bed bugs come from?

Bed bugs can cling to bags, clothes or furniture, using them to find new places to live.

Their ability to catch a lift almost anywhere is what may make them so widespread. They’ve made their way across North and South America, Africa, Asia and Europe. They can thrive in all kinds of places, from resorts to fancy five-star hotels.

Cleanliness doesn't influence where they may go, though. Bed bugs need to feed to continue to mate and produce eggs, so they may be more interested in finding hosts than judging a space.

Bed bug behavior and habits

Bed bugs have unique behaviors and habits that can help them live for about 6 to 12 months. Understanding their life cycle, feeding habits and living conditions can help people spot them.

Feeding

Bed bugs are mostly active during nighttime and can feed on people while they sleep. But if they are hungry, they will find a host during the day. Their bites are often painless at first; bed bugs inject fluids (including an anesthetic and an anticoagulant) into the person they bite that can help prevent them from feeling the bite when it happens.

Feeding lasts a few minutes. Bed bugs can live for long periods of time without a blood meal.

Life changes and mating

The total number of eggs a female produces depends on how often she feeds. To continue to produce more eggs, they must feed at least once every two weeks. A female bed bug typically produces about 200 to 500 eggs in her lifetime.

The young bed bugs, or nymphs, shed their exoskeleton in every stage of their life cycle. There are about five nymph stages until they grow to an adult size. Before developing to the next life stage, they need at least one blood meal. With the right setting, nymphs can fully mature in just about a month.

Living conditions

Bed bugs are very good at staying out of sight. Their thin, flat bodies let them slip into the tiniest spaces. They can live in temperatures as low as 46 degrees Fahrenheit but can’t live in conditions where their body temperature exceeds 113 degrees Fahrenheit. 

How to help spot bed bugs

One sign that may help recognize an infestation is finding bite marks on the face, hands and other parts of the body after sleeping. Keep in mind, for some people, those marks can take up to two weeks to show up. Some more signs of an infestation:

• Bloodstains. Bed bugs sometimes leave behind small, rusty-colored blood spots on mattresses or nearby furniture.
• Live bed bugs. Bed bugs are sometimes found in the fold of mattresses and sheets.
• Molted skins. Bed bugs shed their exoskeletons as they grow, leaving behind their shell casings.
• Musty smells. A sweet, musty odor comes from glands on the lower side of their body.

If bite marks are getting irritating, some over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help reduce inflammatory reactions in some people as well as help with itching. Not scratching the affected area can help prevent secondary infections.

Where to check for bed bugs

Bed bugs can travel over 100 feet in a night. But they tend to live within 8 feet of where people sleep. If they're particularly hungry, they might even come out during the day, which (while unusual) could make them easier to spot.

Bed bugs generally hide during the day in places on or around the bed. Some places they may hide include:

• Bed frames and headboards
• Behind wallpaper
• Box springs
• Dresser tables
• Inside cracks or crevices

Identifying bed bug bites

Bed bug bites can cause itching that keeps people up at night. Other symptoms of bed bug bites may include insomnia and anxiety. Scratching too much can irritate the skin and increase the risk of infection.

Serious allergic reactions aren’t as common, but they can happen. If there is painful swelling around the bite site or if the bite mark enlarges in size, people should check with a health care provider.

The red bumps or small, swollen marks might make it hard to figure out whether it’s a bed bug bite or something else. Bites may look similar to mosquito or flea bites, but there are differences. Bed bugs bites can appear at random all over the body like the face, neck or hands. They can also appear in certain areas in a straight line.

If there’s uncertainty, a health care provider can help figure out what’s causing the bites in the first place. They might also offer ways to help support irritated skin.

Bed bug treatment options

Once bed bugs and bites are found, a person can start resolving the infestation. There are several over-the-counter (OTC) options available to help relieve itching and discomfort. Also, tackling the infestation can help stop the bugs from spreading more.

Below is a breakdown of symptom relief support options and extermination options for both the bites and the bugs.

Bed bug traps and monitors

Bed bug traps can help people manage an infestation. Passive traps work without bait and are placed in areas where bed bugs could pass through. An example of this is interceptor cups for bed bugs, which can be positioned under bed legs to help catch the bed bugs and keep them from climbing up.

How can a person help get rid of bed bugs at home?

A few practical steps to help get rid of bed bugs:

• Treating fabrics with heat. For example, all bedding, curtains and clothing within a bed bug-infested room that can tolerate a hot dryer should be dried on high heat for 30 minutes. This should kill bed bugs and their eggs.
• Making potential hiding spots hard to reach. Mattresses and boxsprings should be wrapped in a bed-bug-proof cover to create a bug-free bed. Clothes and luggage should be kept off the floor, followed by a thorough vacuuming of the area. The vacuum bag should be sealed in a plastic bag and disposed of outside.
• Repairing potential hiding spots. For example, fixing cracks in plaster and gluing down peeling wallpaper can help close off spaces to prevent bed bugs from spreading.
• Keeping distance between the walls and furniture. Shifting the bed at least six inches from the wall can make it harder for bed bugs to climb up and settle in.

Treating infestations

So, what if bed bugs still seem to be sticking around? Some chemical treatments like pesticides that are “registered and widely used for bed bug control” might be worth looking into. There are over 300 registered products to use.

Pesticides should be used carefully according to the label directions. Depending on the product, some chemical treatments may or may not be safe for mattresses or bedding. That’s why it’s always good to check the instructions before applying to furniture.

Calling a professional pest control company is also an option. Teams that are experienced with treating bed bugs can typically spray insecticides to help treat infested areas.

Symptom relief management options for bed bug bites

It’s recommended to speak to a health care provider before starting or stopping any medication. A health care provider may recommend antiseptic creams or lotions. For certain reactions, a health care provider may recommend an antihistamine to help manage symptoms.

Health care provider for diagnosis

If bite symptoms continue or are severe, reaching out to a health care provider can help with diagnosis and treatment. Providers may recommend topical steroid creams, which can be helpful in managing symptoms from severe bite reactions.

Key takeaways

A proactive approach is key to preventing bed bugs from settling in a person’s home. Given their ability to hitch rides, inspecting new rooms when traveling is important, such as paying attention to mattresses or furniture. Protect living spaces by keeping suitcases off the floor and drying clothes on hot after returning home.