Where to look
- Mattress seams and piping, and the underside of the box spring
- Bed frame joints, headboard backs and screw holes
- Upholstered furniture seams near where people sleep or rest
- Baseboards and outlet plates close to the bed
What evidence looks like
- Small dark spots that smear when wiped
- Pale shed skins in seams
- Tiny white eggs clustered in crevices
- Live insects, flat and reddish-brown, about apple-seed sized when adult
Why identification matters
Carpet beetles, bat bugs and other insects are mistaken for bed bugs regularly. A provider confirming what they are looking at is the starting point of any sensible plan.
What not to do
Moving to another room or throwing out furniture early often spreads the problem rather than solving it. Talk to a provider before you rearrange the household.