If you have a suspicion that bed bugs may be sharing your personal space it may be time to call on a bed bug exterminator. However, you can also perform your own bed bug inspection to see if you uncover these tiny pests.
While it’s best to let a professional inspect because they know what they’re looking for, if you educate yourself on what they look like and where/how to find them you could easily spot them yourself.
Below is a helpful checklist to help you inspect your own property for bed bugs. Just a few key points before you continue reading:
- This is best done at night because bed bugs are nocturnal and will be moving about looking for a blood meal.
- You’ll need a good flashlight, or a penlight to use during the inspection. These little pests are pretty small so be patient and be diligent.
If all else fails you know you can count on a professional to inspect the property for you.
1 – INSPECT YOUR BED (MATTRESSES, FRAME, PILLOWS, BEDDING)
You will want to inspect your entire bed from the bedding down to the frame. It’s best to do this at night when you can use a flashlight. This is when bed bugs are more active so they will be easier to spot should they be present. Grab a credit card or another sturdy but flat-edged item to help you check the seams of your mattresses.
You will be looking for signs of bed bugs including the actual bug itself, eggs, fecal matter or molted skin. All of the seams on your mattress need to be thoroughly inspected for signs of this pest. If you’re not comfortable or confident in doing your own bed bug inspection, call a professional in your local area to do it for you.
2 – INSPECT YOUR FURNITURE FOR BED BUGS
When inspecting for bed bugs your furniture will need to be thoroughly checked as well. This is especially true for any pieces that are often used because that’s a primary area for bed bugs to linger. Therefore, if you have office chairs, recliners or couches, they need to be inspected. Check the seams of the cushions (just like your mattress seams) and also between any cushions and beneath the furniture pieces. Bed bugs love to hide beneath furniture out of sight and out of mind.
3 – BED BUG INSPECTION FOR WALLS
Oftentimes if you’re noticing bed bugs or evidence of them on your walls, the chances are high that you do in fact have them. However, this is no reason to skip inspecting your walls for bed bugs. They prefer to hide at the edges of baseboards. You will want to inspect any carpet too that is in contact with a wall.
Check behind any wall décor and light fixtures. Another important spot to check is behind outlet covers. You may need to remove the cover to properly inspect.
4 – INSPECT YOUR CURTAINS FOR BED BUGS
Many people don’t often think to inspect their curtains for bed bugs but it can be very beneficial if you do. They can reach them by climbing the wall. Look for signs of fecal matter, which will be dark spots, and eggs or casings.
5 – BED BUG INSPECTION FOR FLOORING
You read that right! Bed bugs can live in the flooring of your property, even hardwood floors. No two hardwood floors are the same when you take into consideration the ability for it to expand or shrink, crack, cup, check or warp. For hardwood floors you can use your flashlight and look along any spaces or cracks between the flooring panels. Anywhere your credit card can fit, a bed bug can hide so that provides a better example of just where to look.
Deciding on what to do about treatment should likely be left to the experts but there could also be some solutions you can try at home or do in addition to professional treatments.
Just remember that dealing with any serious pest issue can be time-consuming and you can’t expect miracles overnight; regardless of what method you’re using/trying to get rid of them. If you need help from an expert just find a local bed bug exterminator near you and start taking some of that stress off of your shoulders.