Jul
21
How to spot Bed Bugs?
Written by:
7/21/2011 2:42 PM
The first place to look at is your mattress and box spring. You should use a flashlight to check all seams and tufts of the mattress. Look for reddish-brown to black specks in the crevices. This will indicate bed bug droppings, you may even see the actual bed bugs here as well.
If the mattress does not have evidence proceed to the box spring. Flip the box spring to expose the burlap. It is common to find bed bugs around the staples and edges of this area.
If nothing is found, proceed to the bed frame attachment points and check the screw holes. At this point, if you still haven't found bed bugs, you do not have a large infestation. However, you still may have bed bugs. They are just not in these areas.
Keep in mind, bed bugs can be hiding in the crevices of the baseboard moldings behind the bed, or near by. They may also be hiding in a wall outlet. One suggestion I can make, is to use climb up interceptors under the legs of the bed. If you find them in the interceptors when you wake up, you know you have bed bugs. They're just not coming from your bed. They are migrating to you from a near by area. By doing this step you are using yourself as bait!
Do not throw out your bed frame, mattress, or any furniture. Many people over react and throw these items away. This is an unnecessary expense and you will only get temporary relief. Remember, they can be hiding in moldings and outlets and once you set up that new bed, they will come right back to you for a feeding. These items are usually treatable without discarding them.