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How to Identify Bed Bugs

51 Comments

Appearance

Bed Bugs are tan to brown blood sucking parasites up to 5mm long (roughly the size of an apple seed) with a flat, oval shaped body.

Bed Bugs are often confused with the following insects:

  • Fleas
  • Lice
  • Lint/Seeds
  • Carpet Beetle

Signs of Activity

Many people believe that bed bugs are too small to be seen. This isn’t true. While Bed Bugs are usually found in the bed, they can navigate around the bedroom and even into the living room. Bed bugs spend the day in harborages close to a bed, couch or chair that people sit in for long periods. They come out at night and crawl to a bed or chair to get a blood meal.

To check your bed for activity, look along the underside of the seams of the mattress. In most cases, if you have bed bugs you will notice dark colored fecal matter in this area as can be seen below:

mattressbugs2

Next, check the cracks of the headboard and bed frame. Bed bugs, if squished, will leave a dark red stain behind. In cases of heavy infestation, the blood sucking parasites may be found all around the room most commonly in the following places:

  • Folds of curtains
  • Seams of chairs and couches
  • Behind wall hangings
  • Edges of electrical outlets
  • Edges of window frames

Bites

Bed bugs usually feed between at night while we are asleep. They can feed up to 10 minutes before returning to a hiding area to digest the meal. After feeding, bed bugs may be dormant for 5 to 7 days while they digest the blood meal.

Although the bite may not be immediately felt, people often react to the proteins of the bed bug saliva introduced during biting. Usually, a reddish spot may develop, associated with some swelling and itching. There may be little response immediately following the bite, with peak itchiness being noticed one to two days later. Repeated exposure to bed bug bites may produce more intensive reactions and itchiness. However, these reactions are highly variable and some people may show absolutely no signs of being bitten while others react strongly. Fortunately, testing has determined that bed bugs are incapable of transmitting human pathogens.

BugBites

Comments

  1. I have set 8 harris bed bug traps by the bed legs, and between the sheets, at the legs of the living room couch they have been there for at least 10 days and have not caught any bugs of any kind, but I am still getting bit at night while I sleep. Why am I not traping any bugs?

    Reply

    • Hi Keith,

      The Bed Bug Traps are designed to be more of a detection device, so the fact that you are still getting bit and you are not catching any bed bugs would tell me that the bugs are in your mattress or box spring already. I would advise cleaning your mattress and using an approved insecticide. Next, after the insecticide dries, apply a mattress encasement cover.

      For more detailed information, please refer to our bed bug brochure and videos.

      Thanks,
      Dave

      Reply

  2. I am not sure if I have bed bug. I have noticed for a few weeks these little seed like things in my sheets and comforter. I have not been bitten or noticed droppings or blood stains on my mattress. I begin researching bedbugs and I think I may be at the early stage of the situation. I was wondering if you happen to have any product recommendations. Also I do own a kitten are these products safe to use with her in my home?

    Samantha

    Reply

    • Hi Samantha,

      It does indeed sound like your in the early stages. Bed Bugs (especially the young ones) look like little apple seeds at first. Once they begin to feed, their bodies can be easier to distinguish, but at this time I would begin a cleaning process.

      Be sure to wash your sheets and linens well and dry on high heat if possible. Once this done, make sure the mattress is sprayed and use our DE Powder in the areas surrounding the bed itself including cracks and crevices within the frame. Our products are approved to use in home around people and pets, just follow label directions.

      Thanks – I hope we caught it early enough, but if you do have anymore questions, please let me know. For more detailed information, please refer to our bed bug brochure and videos.

      Dave

      Reply

  3. I sleep on my mom’s sofa and ive been getting bit up everywhere terribly! (I’ve already decided to get rid of the sofa.) So I migrated to my sisters room but im still getting bit. Its not as severe as laying on the couch but I think I may have transferred a few. I definitely need to treat my clothing because I believe their in my clothes. I can’t see any of them but I know they are here. How do I go about treating my clothing without ruining them? And how do I treat my mothers cluttered home? Please help. I’m desperate for effective results since I might be dealing with eggs and babies and I’m seriously contemplating calling terminix.

    Reply

    • Hi Malika,

      I recommend washing all of your clothes, sheets, linens and anything else and drying them on the highest heat possible.

      Our spray should be used following label directions. For more detailed information, please refer to our bed bug brochure and videos.

      Best,
      Dave

      Reply

  4. hey I need help me and my sister and my mom and husband aren’t getting any sleep the bed bugs are horrendous we are not sleeping any and we have a few dogs to that can’t sleep cause their being bitten badly please help us I need to know where I can buy your products sincerely a desperately sleepy itchy girl..

    Reply

    • Hi Haley,

      I apologize for this struggle you are going through with Bed Bugs – they are truly the worst pest a person (and a dog it seems) can have. You can find our products online as well as in many retailers across the nation. If you cannot order online, please supply me with your city and state and I will give you a store listing of those closest to you carrying our bed bug products.

      For more detailed information, please refer to our bed bug brochure and videos.

      Dave

      Reply

  5. My bites are terrible,contacted at friends home,guess cannot go to her home again due to no one in their home has ever had bites?went to Dr.gave me medrol dose oak went away.washed everything and dried after returning home just in case brought with me.2 weeks later red bumps in exact spots due to leaving scars(very light skinned)itching terribly-nothing helps,I am going nuts scratching.Have you heard of bites returning in exact spots(read stress or hot showers)can cause breakouts up to yrs later HELP!!what about my dog who sleeps in my bed?what would I treat her with?

    Reply

    • Hello Shelley,
      Sorry to hear of the bumps you are experiencing. Have not heard of bed bug bites returning to the same spot so I would be guessing to answer your question. We do make a bite gel with 4% Lidocaine that helps to relieve itching from insect bites. If you are treating your bedroom for a bed bug infestation we publish a “how to” brochure that gives step by step directions on getting rid of them. Let us know if you would like a copy mailed to you or click on https://pfharris.com/products/bed-bugs/
      If you treat your room and mattress for bed bugs it would be a good idea to shampoo your dog with an EPA registered flea & tick shampoo to help kill bed bugs that may be on the dog.
      Bed bugs prefer humans over animals but it is possible they are on the dog. Hope this helps, please let us know if we can be of further assistance.

      Dave

      Reply

      • I have gotten bed bugs from a motel we stayed at and I went 3for the doctor and they gave me medication and I cream I used it andr took my medication like they perceived and it helped for a few days then mine came back in the exact same place no new bites but just where they were before I am going crazy with the itching they gave me steroids and benadryl and antibiotics. Please help if you can
        Thanks.

        Reply

        • Thank you for your inquiry. I would recommend talking to your doctor again. I also would recommend treating your home for bed bugs. Often times they are present but very difficult to see when they are young and small. Our products are sold at many hardware stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, ACE Hardware, True Value and well as Walmart and online at http://www.pfharris.com , on Amazon and at http://www.homedepot.com. We are happy to answer any questions you may have regarding treating your home at 1-800-637-0317. We are open 8 am to 5 pm Eastern time, Mon. through Fri.

          Thank you,
          Pat

          Reply

    • Shelley,

      My husband had bites that he could not stop scratching and I put Fruit of the Earth aloe vera 100% pure gel on his bites and thet itch went away. I reapply every time it acts up but it takes hours. So there is long term relief. Good luck.

      Reply

  6. I purchased your trap and put it out near the bed post. I would like to send you a picture of what I caught. I can’t tell what it is. Do you have an email address I can send you a photo?

    Reply

  7. after using the harris spray will the dead bed bugs be noticeable – i have went to dr she said no not bed bug bits i swear they are – i have not seen any signs of them except have these red whelps some look like there could be a little hole in the center- i sprayed the bedroom washed all the linens – my clothes have not been mixed with the ones that i have worn sprayed closet going to do living room area next can i spray your product on the couch ans chair

    Reply

    • Hi Andrea,

      Bed Bugs can be extraordinarily tiny, however they can also be about the size of an apple seed so noticeable with the human eye. Look for signs such as brown coloring on the mattress itself (typically within the folds of the bed). This brown coloring is the excrement left after the Bed Bugs feed. This is the smoking gun if you will that Bed Bugs are present.

      Thanks and if you have any questions/comments/concerns feel free to respond. For more detailed information, please refer to our bed bug brochure and videos.

      Dave

      Reply

  8. Someone I work with had bed bugs and of course a few days later I saw a few in my bed. I have sprayed my mattress with your spray. I will be spraying my entire apartment. How often should this process be repeated?

    Reply

    • Shannon, Thank you for contacting P.F. Harris. We have more than one Bed Bug killing spray. If you have our Harris Home Pest Control Bed Bug Killer you will want to repeat treatment as necessary but not more than once per week. When the spray dries the residual will continue to kill. We publish a brochure and a video on our web site http://www.pfharris.com which explains all the things needed in order to overcome a bed bug problem. Thank you. Pat

      Reply

  9. Hi so I’ve purchased the entire home system and have sprayed everything my eyes can see…actually I got two of them
    My question is: Do I have to spray once a week to completely be at peace of no bed bugs period or will my house always have the potential to have bugs or eggs?

    Reply

    • Hello,
      Unfortunately there is no guarantee of a reoccurrence of bed bugs. You could have a visitor bring them in or they find their way in under a door or wall if you live in a high rise apartment. Spray following label directions if you see signs of bed bug activity, keep in mind the powder will continue to kill if left undisturbed

      Reply

  10. Hello, I bought a wood bunk bed from someone and i bought a brand new mattress… and i am assuming that the bunk bed had bed bugs. I took the bunk bed out the house a couple of days later when i noticed the bugs. I bought the yellow kit… and sprayed mattress washed all bed linen and clothes laying around . I have also sprayed other areas of the house and other mattresses in the house. do you think i need to take all the clothes out of the drawers and hanging in closets and wash? and what about shoes? Do they go in the closets? This has been a nightmare!!!! I have sooooo many questions ….Which is more effecient the aerosol or gallon spray??? And what is the difference between the yellow and black products? What stores carry the black Labeled products?

    Reply

    • Thank you for contacting P.F. Harris. The gallon spray in the yellow Bed Bug Kit will continue to kill after the spray has dried. Bed bugs that crawl through the area you have treated will die from the residual remaining on the surfaces you treated. Repeat treatment with that spray after 7-10 days. The aerosol spray works in the same manner and has an additional egg killing ingredient. Apply the powder in well-chosen places where it will remain dry. Once applied it will be effective until removed. It dehydrates the insect until it dies.

      Any fabric items that you are concerned about may be placed in your clothes dryer for 20 min on high heat. This will stop any trying to nest on these items.

      Our Black Label product is the “next generation” of bed bug killing products. These are formulated to kill bed bugs that may have become resistant to pyrethroid products. This line also contains an egg kill ingredient in the gallon as well as the aerosol. Repeat treatment after two weeks. The powder also dehydrates these insects.

      These products are found in many hardware stores, farm stores and on line at pfharris.com as well as other web sites.

      Please call us at 1-800-637-0317, 8 am to 5 pm EST, Mon thru Fri. We will be happy to assist you in finding a nearby store and to help you with your questions.

      Reply

  11. do bed bugs look like apple seeds after going through Harris DE powder? i do not get bit in my bed that has encasements on it and leg detector traps, but i do get bit in my office chair by my desk the whole house has been sprayed gassed and Harris DE put down, after getting bit in the chair i applied DE powder on the chair and all around the floor where the chair is, my thoughts are that i am bait they climb up the chair then crawl away through the DE powder and die i think its working because i am finding these little soft seed looking things on the floor around the chair and also outside the room, i only use one room and the kitchen no body else in the house. are these seed like looking dead bugs?

    Reply

    • Thank for contacting P.F. Harris. You are correct. They may be bed bugs. That is a typical description of a mature bed bug. The powder will collect on the insect’s body and it will slowly cause it to dehydrate. Once you apply the powder it will remain effective as long it remains there.

      We are available 8 am to 5 pm Mon. thru Fri. EST if you have additional questions at 1-800-637-0317.

      Reply

  12. Hi there,

    I have a quick question on application and frequency of use. Ive recently purchased the Black label kit (gallon spray, aerosal foam spray and powder, including traps..). Ive used the powder along the walls, outlets, and wooden bed slats, and the gallon spray on the frame. I plan on laying the traps out in a few weeks. Where do you recommend using the foam spray. It reads bed bug killer, and the ingredients are the same. The gallon bottle and spray both read egg kill and resistant. Is this the same product, just different application, foam vs. liquid spray?

    Also, what frequency do you recommend. The label reads 16 week protection, but ve read many suggesting spaying each week until no activity is seen.

    Ive read the pamplet several times but still not sure. Its probably the packaging thats throwing me off. I recommend changing the pamplet with the black label and usage for each product, wether multiple ones can be used.

    Thank you for taking the time to read. The frustration is that they can live for months and may surface again. I want to be sure to follow directions closely to kill all eggs, nymphs and adults that are in my home. Grrrrr!!!!

    Reply

    • Thank you for contacting P.F. Harris. The aerosol spray is similar to the 1 gallon however, the aerosol is also recommended for spot treatment of luggage, closets, drapes, and other window or wall appointments. These formulas keep killing for 2 weeks after the spray has dried. Repeat treatments may be made every 2 weeks as needed.

      Thank you

      Reply

  13. My house was treated for bed bugs. I have covers on all the beds. I seen a bed bug before so I know what it looks like at least I think. Last week there was a tiny bug crawling on my arm but it did not look like a typical bed bug. Could this be some sort of bed bug. It was small and light in color.

    Reply

    • Hello,

      It is possible and is especially more likely considering your past encounter with the pest. Bed Bugs can be light in color if they haven’t eaten; their dark color is more prominent after a meal hence the bed bug is typically translucent and blood running through their system gives them the darker appeal. Mattress covers are a preventive measure, however if you have been bitten and/or see more bed bugs around the house I would imagine they have infested other regions. Bed Bug is somewhat of a misnomer considering the Bed Bug could infest practically any portion of the home including but not limited too curtains, headboards, couches and other furniture as well as closets and clothes. I would do some searching through these more common hiding places to ensure an infestation isn’t taking root. If you need any guidance or support please call our customer service number at 800-637-0317.

      Thanks,
      Riley

      Reply

  14. I’m the past week I’ve been getting 2 bites a night and I’m convienced its bed bugs all though I have yet to find their nesting area. I checked the ribbing of my mattress and box spring, the tag of my mattress, the top of my mattress, bottom of my mattress, corner of my mattress, inside my box spring, floor, dresser, picture frames, and bed frame but I have seen no traces of bed bugs anywhere! Is there somewhere I have missed for a nesting area? Please help!

    Reply

    • You may want to use the Bed Bug Traps in that they will catch a few of the insects present in order to confirm bed bugs. Also, they may be so small that you cannot see them. Young small and colorless. It is extremely difficult to find bed bug nesting spots. You are right in checking the areas you describe. They can be in recessed screw holes of your bed assembly, baseboards, electrical outlets, behind picture frames, etc. We recommend spraying with the Harris Bed Bug Killer which leaves a residual behind after the spray has dried which will keep killing for days. Give us a call at 1-800-637-0317 if we can help you further with that treatment plan. We are open 8 am to 5 pm EST Mon. thru Fri. Thank you.

      Reply

  15. I have been finding these little bugs crawling on my bedroom floor. None on my bed but on my floor I’m not sure if they are bedbugs or not but it seems like I’m finding more and more

    Reply

    • Hello,

      Bed Bugs can be difficult to determine – If you have bites or red spots on your body then I would assume it would be Bed Bugs you are seeing. Typically Bed Bugs appear as about the size of an apple seed and brown after feeding. Nymphs are extremely tiny and typically translucent.

      I hope this helps.

      Thanks,
      Riley

      Reply

  16. My sister just discovered bed bugs in her apartment. I was thinking to place an early detection trap under our bed just to be safe (different apartment building completely). If there are bugs somewhere else in my building (say in another apartment) will the trap attract them? I don’t want to cause an infestation by using the traps!

    Reply

    • Thank you for contacting P.F. Harris. Great idea to place the traps in your apartment. They will not attract bed bugs from your neighbors; from just a short distance from the trap. You may want to also spray with our Bed Bug Killer spray or apply our Bed Bug Powder.

      Thank you. P.F. Harris

      Reply

  17. hi, we found bed bugs in my young daughters crib last weekend. we threw the crib and everything surrounding it away. sense then we have not seen any signs of them. we cleaned the rest of her room and her sibling room that is right next to hers. I was going to use the spray in both rooms. do I need to spray the rest of the house sense I have not seen any signs anywhere else.

    Reply

    • Hello,

      Bed Bugs can be extremely small and difficult to differentiate from other insects with the untrained eye – are you sure it was a bed bug? Could you describe the insect you found? If it is a bed bug, there a precautionary steps I would recommend.

      Thanks,
      Riley

      Reply

  18. Thanks for the tips for identifying bed bugs. I’m pretty sure there are some in my daughter’s room, so this is helpful. I’ve only checked her bed, so I’ll have to look in her curtains and behind her wall hangings!

    Reply

  19. A friend of mine showed me this afternoon some bites on his arms and legs. He started having these bites after staying in a hotel when they went on vacation. He’s worried that he might have taken bed bugs in his home. Thanks for sharing how to identify if there are bedbugs in my friend’s mattress. As you mentioned, they are present if there are dark-colored fecal matter in the underside of the seams for the mattress. I will share this information with him.

    Reply

  20. I was working a night shift at the hospital when all of a sudden my ankle started to itch. I started to scratch it and soon it started to swell. I then realized I had 4 bug bites close together around my ankle. Two days later I found 1 squished dead bed bug in the shoe that I was wearing the night I was bit. I haven’t seen any in my home so far but it’s only been 4 days or so since I was bit and I don’t know what the chances are that I’ve brought a live one home. Would you reccomend that I set traps around the house before spraying or go straight to spraying my home with bed bug spray just for precaution?

    Reply

    • Hello,

      I would begin spraying ASAP – the traps are more for detection purposes and you feel you likely have bed bugs, detection is not necessary. Please contact our office at 800-637-0317 Monday thru Friday (8 AM – 5 PM Est.) for more info.

      Thanks,
      Riley

      Reply

  21. We have a summer cabin and think we have bed bugs. Will they die in the winter when we close it up? Live in MN

    Reply

    • Hello,

      Bed bugs can go quite a long time without a meal – I would treat the room to ensure the problem doesn’t get any worse while you are gone. For a more detailed conversation, please contact Pat (our customer service agent) who can guide you through the bed bug process.

      800-637-0317

      Thanks,
      Riley

      Reply

  22. Thank you for contacting P.F. Harris. Bed bugs do not get under your skin. We recommend the Harris Five Minute Bed Bug Killer. This product will leave behind a 30 day residual kill and it contains an egg killer. It also has a component that will break down the bed bug’s natural defenses. Bed bugs emerge gradually over time. When they do come out of their nesting spots and crawl where you have spray the residual of the dry spray will collect on their bodies and attack their central nervous system to kill them. It is a gradual process. You would expect to spray again at the end of 30 days and reevaluate what you are experiencing and decide if you need to spray again. Bed bugs love cracks and crevices and “tight” spots. They nest up in box springs, around trim of mattresses and box springs, baseboards and up in the framework of furniture. Always vacuum before spraying and empty the vacuum in the outside garbage. Fabric items that are not routinely washed such as pillows and blankets should be placed in a clothes dryer a couple times a week on high heat for 25 minutes. All these practices go hand in hand with getting rid of bed bugs. Mattress and box springs encasements are a must. This keeps the bedbugs from nesting there. Remove clutter; they like our things and much as we do. Please don’t hesitate to call us. We are happy to answer any additional questions you may have. 1-800-637-0317, Mon. through Fri. eastern time, 8 am to 5 pm.

    Reply

  23. I have a question, I got bit and the patterns seem to be like a bed bug, but I have not found any? There are 6 people living in my house and only 3 of us get bit but mine seems to be the worse. I found carpet beetles but no begs bugs how do I find out what is really biting me? Should I just try to do this and see if it goes away? It’s so bad I can’t sleep because I’m scared to get more bites I also can’t find any signs of them and don’t know where there would be hiding I see stuff on the bed but it’s so hard to tell what they are not sure if skin shedding or what sometimes kind of looks like boogers or something it’s hard for me to determine because I have toddlers sleeping in the bed with me. My husband calls me paranoid but sometimes I check the bed before I go to work I don’t see anything then when I come home there’s stuff on it. I don’t know it’s so frustrating because I cannot see it find anything but I am often getting bit it’s been more than a month since the bites been occurring off and on. Can you give me any advice? I call for inspection and they just tell me to monitor and get bit. I don’t know what to do

    Reply

    • Thank you for contacting P.F. Harris. It does sound like you are encountering bed bugs. We can recommend how to address the problem.

      This can be a very frustrating and confusing time. Acquiring knowledge to put you on a reliable path to getting rid of bed bugs is so important and time consuming for you. Bed Bugs live in colonies on mattresses, on and in box springs, behind picture frames, in smoke alarms, hollow metal drapery rods, deep inside sofas, etc. Finding their nesting spots is difficult. We have highly rated products to treat the surfaces in the areas in which you are experiencing bites and seeing evidence of activity.

      P.F. Harris makes bed bug killing sprays which will continue to kill after the spray has dried on the household surfaces. The bugs will crawl over those surfaces and the product will cling to their bodies and then kill them. We also offer bed bug killing powders.

      We provide and a video on our web site http://www.pfharris.com which explains all the things needed in order to overcome a bed bug problem. Mattress and box spring encasement covers, vacuuming daily, repeatedly washing all bed linens and clothing on high heat and drying on the highest temp setting is a must. Unfortunately, there is no chemical on the market that used alone without additional efforts will overcome the infestation.

      Keep in mind bed bugs emerge gradually over time and it will take repeat treatments. Give us a call we are happy to help you select the products that are right for you 1 (800) 637-0317. We are available 8 am to 5 pm EST Mon. thru Fri. Thank you. P.F. Harris

      Reply

  24. I was surprised to read that people react to the proteins of the bed bug saliva. This is great to know, especially since I think that there are bed bugs in my son’s bed. I’ve noticed some of these same marks on him! I’ll look for a bug exterminator in our area that can help us out with getting rid of these bugs.

    Reply

  25. What could mimic a bedbug? My sister had them in another state and had exterminator come treat her apartment. I went to visit 3 weeks later. Could they still have been present? Thank you

    Reply

    • Thank you for contacting P.F. Harris. From our experience it’s possible bed bugs can still remain after a treatment as they nest in areas that are difficult to find. We cannot speak to that particular situation and that particular treatment. Being bitten while in your in bed would indicate that you would want to examine the mattress and box springs edges for any signs such as tiny white or black patches as that would indicate eggs or excrement. Thanks you. P.F. Harris.

      Reply

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