While bed bugs may seem like an invisible threat, they do leave behind signs of their presence, mainly in the form of their droppings. Learn more.
Bed bugs can sometimes seem like an invisible threat. They hide all day, emerge briefly to feed on their host in the dead of night and then disappear again. Their bites can be difficult to identify, and depending on your sensitivity to them, they may not show up on your skin at all.
However, bed bugs do leave behind signs of their presence in the form of droppings. Being able to identify these is a step in the right direction to recognizing a bed bug infestation.
After bed bugs feed, they'll leave behind droppings of your partially digested blood. These droppings could indicate that you have been bitten in your sleep, though by no means offer definitive proof. Bed bug poop appears as clusters of tiny spots on your bed. The droppings consist of digested blood, so they will no longer be red once they dry. The spots will be darker, rust colored or black, and are about the size of a dot from a marker.
If you think you may have a bed bug infestation, check for bed bug droppings around the corners and edges of your bed. This includes under the sheets and in the creases of the mattress. Bed bug droppings are not exclusive to just the bed, however. In a heavily infested room, they can show up on the carpet, behind the headboard, along the edges of the wall and anywhere else bed bugs are known to hide. If you suspect an infestation, be sure to check all these places thoroughly for stains.
Identifying these droppings can also keep you from inadvertently bringing bed bugs into your home. Any time you buy something second-hand, whether it's furniture or clothing, check the item carefully for telltale stains of bed bug droppings. Bed bugs can travel on these items, allowing them to infiltrate your home. If you find any sign of their presence, do not bring the item inside.
Though identifying these stains is a good indication you may have a bed bug infestation, it’s not definitive proof. Seeing an actual living bed bug is the only way to be certain, and that can be more difficult. This is where a professional can assist in inspecting your home and identifying whether bed bugs are present.
Call Terminix® today to get the help you need in diagnosing a bed bug problem and taking the steps needed to rid your home of these pests.
