Bed Bug Detection Tips

Waking up with red, itchy welts can be disconcerting. You start questioning everything—maybe it was a mosquito, maybe dry skin, or maybe, just maybe, something worse. Bed bugs have a sneaky way of making themselves at home without announcing their arrival. You don’t see them at first. They’re experts at staying out of sight. But that doesn’t mean they’re invisible forever. With a little attention to detail, it’s possible to spot the subtle—and sometimes not-so-subtle—clues that these blood-hungry pests have moved in. From tiny rust-colored stains on your sheets to shed exoskeletons, the signs are there if you know where to look.

The Clues Left Behind

If bed bugs were loud or bold, this would all be a lot simpler. But they’re quiet, patient, and opportunistic. What they lack in size, they make up for in stealth. Most people don’t actually see the bugs themselves first. Instead, the earliest red flags tend to be physical symptoms or oddities in your surroundings.

Red, puffy bites—often appearing in clusters or rows—are one of the more well-known signs. But bites alone aren’t a slam-dunk confirmation. Everyone reacts differently. Some people have severe skin irritation, others might see no reaction at all. The timing of these bites is more telling. If you’re waking up with new marks that weren’t there the night before, especially in warm areas of the body like arms, shoulders, or neck, it’s worth looking closer.

Another indicator is the presence of small, rusty-colored stains on your sheets, mattress, or pillowcases. These can be crushed bed bugs or their droppings, which smear when touched. And while that sounds unpleasant, it’s often one of the most reliable clues. You might also find small, dark specks near seams or stitching—those are often dried excrement.

Shedding is another calling card. As bed bugs grow, they shed their outer skin, leaving behind nearly translucent exoskeletons that can sometimes be found tucked into the folds of bedding or the edges of baseboards. Tiny, white eggs—about the size of a pinhead—might also be spotted if the infestation has been going on for a while.

The Places They Hide

There’s a reason these pests are so hard to find. They don’t just hide in mattresses. That’s a common misconception. Bed bugs are explorers. While they typically begin close to where you sleep or sit for long periods, they can spread rapidly if given the chance.

Mattresses and box springs are the usual suspects, especially around the piping and stitching. But nightstands, headboards, behind picture frames, inside electrical outlets, or even within the folds of curtains can serve as prime real estate for them. Cracks in furniture or floorboards are another favorite hiding place. Essentially, any snug, dark space near a host is fair game.

And because they’re so small—an adult bed bug is about the size of an apple seed—they can easily tuck themselves into the tiniest crevices. That’s why many people miss the early signs. They don’t think to check behind the wall art or in the seams of a recliner. And by the time bugs are noticed, the problem may already be well established.

What’s particularly frustrating is how they get around. You could pick up a few on your luggage after staying in a hotel, or they might hitch a ride on secondhand furniture or clothing. Once inside, if conditions are right, they reproduce quickly. One female can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime, meaning things can escalate fast if they’re not addressed early.

Behavioral Patterns That Reveal The Truth

Understanding how bed bugs operate can also help identify whether you’re dealing with them. For one, they’re nocturnal. They tend to feed at night and remain hidden during the day, which is why you may not notice them even if your home has plenty.

They’re attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide, which makes humans a prime target. That’s why they typically bite exposed skin while you’re asleep. These bites can take a few days to appear, which adds to the confusion.

Another subtle but telling sign is a sweet, musty odor. In moderate to heavy infestations, this smell comes from the bed bugs’ scent glands and becomes more noticeable. Some people describe it as a somewhat sickly, coriander-like scent. While that’s more of a later-stage clue, it’s worth paying attention to when paired with other symptoms.

It’s also not unusual for people to start experiencing sleep problems or anxiety when they suspect bed bugs. There’s something about the idea of unseen bugs feeding on you during the night that just sticks in the mind. If you find yourself constantly inspecting your bed or dreading nighttime, there may be more than just nerves involved.

When It's Time To Take Action

Confirming a bed bug infestation can be tricky, especially when the evidence is subtle or scattered. But delaying action is risky. These bugs aren’t going to move out on their own, and over-the-counter sprays usually don’t get the job done. In fact, trying to handle the problem without proper methods can sometimes make things worse by pushing the bugs into deeper hiding or spreading them to other areas of the house.

What makes bed bugs so difficult is their resilience. They can survive for weeks without feeding, they reproduce rapidly, and they’re great at hiding in places you’d never think to look. That’s why professional attention makes such a difference.

At Florida Termite & Pest Control, we’ve dealt with countless infestations just like this. We understand the signs, we know where to look, and we use strategies that are proven to work—not just quick fixes that mask the problem. If you’re waking up with suspicious bites, noticing strange stains on your sheets, or have a nagging feeling that something isn’t quite right, don’t wait for the issue to spread. Contact us today, and let’s figure out what’s really going on. The sooner we act, the easier it is to get your home—and your peace of mind—back under control.