How to Spot Bedbugs
Bedbugs are reddish-brown, six-legged, wingless insects that grow to only 0.2 inches in length. They have flat bodies, and people often mistake them for ticks. Bedbugs hide during the day and feed on human and animal blood at night. Because bedbugs are so tiny, spotting them can be difficult, and you'll often see their bites on your skin before seeing the actual bedbug.
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Instructions
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Look for small itchy red bumps on your skin. These bumps are called papules or wheals, which commonly occur in a clusters or lines from repeated bites by a single bedbug. More severe skin reactions can also occur, including blister-like skin inflammations, clusters of small sacs of pus, and skin rashes similar to hives.
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Get a diagnosis from your doctor. To diagnose a bedbug infestation, your medical professional must examine the bites and rule out other skin infestations, such as fleas, scabies, and body lice.
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Look for signs of bedbugs in your bed. Small bloodstains on your sheets and mattress may be a sign of a bedbug infestation. Also look for fecal stains, egg cases, and shed skins in crevices and cracks on or near your bed.
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Inspect your furniture for bedbugs. Look for insect excrement near the entry of hiding places, in furniture crevices, and on walls. Pay special attention to antiques and secondhand furniture in your home.
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Inspect the rest of your home for signs of bedbugs. Look for specks of blood behind wallpaper and picture frames or other suspected sites of heavy infestation. You may also notice an intense, sweet scent that is a sign of bedbugs' oil secretions.
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Tips & Warnings
Perform all bedbug inspections at night when bedbugs are active. Use a flashlight to see into dark crevices in your furniture and around your house.
Detecting a bedbug infestation in your home can be difficult, so you may need to hire a professional exterminator to determine whether your home has bedbugs.
