Unfortunately, most people discover bed bugs only after they’ve been bitten. Bed bugs feed at night when you’re asleep—often without detection. They’ll eat for up to 10 minutes, making multiple bites in the process, then go back into hiding. But what do bed bugs look like and how can you get rid of them? Find out what bed bugs look like, how to recognize a bed bug infestation, what steps to take to get rid of them, and how to prevent them from entering your home in the first place. Show
What do bed bugs look like?Adult bed bugs are wingless and have flat, oval-shaped bodies. They are typically 6–10 mm in length—about the size and shape of an apple seed. Usually brown to brownish-red, bed bug coloring shifts to dark red after a blood meal (feeding on a host’s blood). Note: a blood meal is needed between molting cycles. Bed bugs hide in cracks in the wall, under your bed, and even inside your mattress. The best evidence of an infestation is a bed bug, whether it’s alive or dead. But there are other signs to look for to confirm that bed bugs have entered your house. Identifying bitesA bed bug bite will look like a red, swollen bump with a dark center. Bites can be in a line or grouped together, with blisters and hives at the bite site. Bites can happen anywhere on the body, but they commonly appear on areas of the body that are exposed when sleeping, like hands, arms, legs, and parts of the face. Bed bug bites are often itchy and may burn. Bites may become slightly swollen and look similar to mosquito or flea bites. Bed bug bites will appear in groupings or in a straight line, while mosquito bites are more sporadic, and flea bites are typically isolated to lower legs and ankles. Some people aren’t allergic to bed bug bites and won’t show visible signs of being bitten. If you do react to the bites, you might not notice them right away, as some appear a couple of days after the initial bite occurs. Treating bitesBed bug bites will typically resolve within a couple of weeks if treated properly. Here’s how to treat a bite:
Bed bugs leave tell-tale signs on your mattress — here’s how to deal with them (Image: © Getty) Nobody wants bed bugs in their home, but it’s nothing to be embarrassed about if you do come across them. Despite our natural inclination to run a mile once we notice them in our sleeping space, bed bugs can be dealt with effectively. Our step-by-step guide will show you how to spot bed bugs on your mattress, along with ways you can get rid of them for good. Know ahead of time that you do need to put in some time and commitment to fully eradicate the problem, but it'll be worth it for your peace of mind and overall quality of sleep. Not sure which mattress to buy? Our best mattress guide has this year’s top-rated picks across value and premium models. For now, let’s take a closer look at those pesky bed bugs and learn how to clean a mattress and why. If your biggest issue is a too-soft bed, use our guide to how to make a mattress firmer to fix it fast. What are bed bugs and why do we get them?The common bed bug (or cimex lectularius)is a tiny insect of around 5mm (0.2in) in length that feeds on the blood of humans and animals. It has a flat, oval-shaped body and is reddish-brown in color, but because of its size a single bed bug is difficult to see unless it's clustered into a larger group. Bed bugs are drawn to carbon dioxide and warmth, so a sleeping human is unfortunately an excellent target. They like to hide in the warm crevices of mattresses, box springs and bed frames. The worst infestations tend to happen in cities where bed bugs can attach to luggage and clothing to move around. The EPA considers bed bugs a public health pest, although they are not known to transmit or spread disease. How to spot bed bugs on your mattressIf you suspect you have bed bugs, you’ll want to find them as quickly as possible. As you can probably imagine, it’s far easier to deal with a minor infestation than a full-blown one. These critters are one of the reasons why even the best memory foam mattresses decay faster than they should (learn more about how long a memory foam mattress lasts). For some people, the first sign of bed bugs is bite marks or feeling itchy — typically on the lower half of your body or the warm crevices of your joints. But some people don’t react at all to being bitten by bed bugs, and there are other nasty nuisances that bite such as fleas. Thus, it's far better to check your mattress for a possible infestation. Look for any of these signs:
How to get rid of bed bugs in your mattressIf you’re going to tackle a smaller bed bug infestation yourself, you may need to repeat the cleaning process several times. Bed bugs reproduce quickly, so be sure you’ve removed them entirely. If you’ve found evidence of bed bugs, here's how to deal with them...
The EPA has a guide to chemicals and sprays that are safe to use. But if you do use an insecticide or even a natural alternative, we’d recommend leaving the room for at least six hours before sleeping on it again. In addition, we’d also recommend making sure the space is thoroughly aired out, so keep windows open and doors to other areas of the house sealed off. Plus, if you choose to encase your mattress, this will take time to start suffocating and ultimately kill the bed bugs. How to prevent bed bugs from infestingIf you’ve had bed bugs once, you’re obviously going to want to make sure that they don’t return. To help prevent a repeat infestation there are some simple steps to follow... Firstly, make sure that you clear out clutter and rubbish regularly. Dust and scrub your bedroom, paying particular attention to any areas you think bed bugs could be hiding. Next, vacuum your mattress regularly and follow any cleaning instructions suggested by the manufacturer. (Do similar for your box spring if you have one.) It's important to use one of the best mattress protectors on your bed as this can be washed regularly and prevent bed bugs from reaching the actual mattress. Lastly, if you buy any second-hand furniture make sure to inspect it thoroughly and give it a good clean before you let it through the door of your house. Where else do bed bugs live?When they’re not feeding, bed bugs enjoy hiding in a variety of places. In general, you’ll find them around the bed, near the piping and seams of a mattress or box spring, and in cracks on a bed frame or headboard. But if you have a heavy infestation, you may find them in other places, including:
If you're ready for a new mattress, it's important you dispose of your current one mindfully. Check out our guide on how to dispose of a mattress, with tips for recycling or donating in the US and UK. Some mattress brands may remove your existing mattress while delivering your new one, but this usually costs extra. Read more:
Jo Plumridge is an experienced mattress writer and reviewer with several years' experience covering all things sleep. What Jo doesn't know about mattress tech isn't worth knowing. She regularly tests out memory foam, hybrid and organic mattresses, and puts together in-depth guides for TechRadar to help you find the right option for you. What instantly kills bed bugs?The high temperature of steam 212°F (100°C) immediately kills bed bugs. Apply steam slowly to the folds and tufts of mattresses, along with sofa seams, bed frames, and corners or edges where bed bugs may be hiding.
What does bed bugs look like when they first start?The adults can easily be seen with the naked eye. Adult bed bugs are reddish brown in color, wingless, and are about the size of an apple seed. Immature bed bugs (there are 5 immature or nymphal instar stages) can also be seen with the naked eye but they are smaller than adults, and translucent whitish-yellow in color.
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What do bed bugs look like on a mattress
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