Five signs of bed bugs in your home

Updated on: June 12, 2026

 Key takeaways

• Bed bugs can appear in any home, regardless of how clean it is.
• Itchy red bites on exposed skin are often the first clue.
• Blood stains and dark fecal spots on bedding are common warning signs.
• Shed skins near mattress seams point to an active infestation.
• Professional inspection is the most reliable way to confirm bed bugs.

Bed bugs can show up with little warning, hitching a ride on luggage and secondhand furniture. A female bed bug can lay anywhere from 200 to 500 eggs in her lifetime, so what starts as a small problem can grow fast. Knowing the signs of bed bugs in your home early can make a real difference in how quickly the problem is resolved.

Below, we outline the five most common signs of bed bugs to watch for, where they tend to hide, and what to do if you spot them.

Five early signs of bed bugs you shouldn't ignore

1. You wake up with itchy red spots

Bed bug bites are typically small, red, and may itch. However, not all people react to bed bug bites. About 30-60% of people have no reaction at all. These bites are typically found on areas near blood vessels on the neck, hands, arms, and legs. Bed bug bites often occur during the night when we’re sleeping.

When they bite, bed bugs inject an anesthetic, so it is unlikely that the bite will wake you up. More likely, you may become aware of these bites in the morning. Although it is difficult to determine what caused the irritation just by looking, bites are a sign that you may want to have your home inspected.

2. You find blood stains on your pillowcase or sheets.

Bed bugs inject anticoagulants when they feed, which can cause a droplet of blood to form on your skin as the insect stops feeding. These droplets can then be transferred to your bedding. If you wake up with bloody polka dots on your bed, you might want to have your home inspected for bed bugs.

3. You see dark, rust-colored spots on your mattress.

Bed bugs frequently leave fecal stains on bedding and other areas. These spots often smear when touched and can have an unpleasant odor. Fecal stains look like someone touched the fabric with a felt-tipped marker. If you don’t see any evidence of bed bugs in your bed, take a look at your walls. These same fecal stains can be present on solid surfaces as tiny black spots resembling black pepper and found behind wall hangings, in corners, or on your walls.

4. You find a collection of cast skins.

As they grow, bed bugs shed their skin. These cast skins appear as tan-colored husks. Cast skins are typically found in or around the areas where bed bugs hide, such as the creases of mattresses, but can sometimes be found under furniture and along baseboards.

5. You see the insect itself.

Adult bed bugs are light brown, with a flattened oval shape. These wingless insects also have six legs. Bed bugs are approximately the size of an apple seed (about ¼ inch long), but become swollen and a reddish-brown color after a blood meal.

There are some other types of bugs that look like bed bugs that can incite panic in anyone who confuses the two. The bug that is most similar in appearance to bed bugs is the bat bug. Other similar insects include spider beetles, booklice, carpet beetles, and fleas. If you are unsure of which pest is plaguing you, give Western Exterminator a call. Proper identification is key to effective elimination. One of our bed bug control technicians will come out to your property and identify the pest.

Where do bed bugs typically hide in homes?

Bed bugs are experts at hiding in small spaces. They stay out of sight during the day and come out at night to feed. One of the early signs of a problem is spotting them in common hiding spots around your home. These pests often squeeze into a crevice, crack, or behind a headboard.

Look closely at mattress seams, box springs, and inside the bed frame. You might also find bed bugs in your home’s upholstered furniture, electrical outlets, or behind baseboards. Even clean homes can become infested, as bed bugs are skilled hitchhikers that travel in bags, clothes, and furniture. To protect your home, inspect bed sheets and furniture for exoskeletons, excrement, or any signs of a musty odor that may point to a growing bed bug population. If you’re not sure what to look for, speak with our pest control experts for advice.

What increases the risk of a bed bug infestation?

As well as knowing how to detect bed bugs at home, there are a few other factors to keep in mind regarding bed bug infestations.

• Your friends or neighbors could have had bed bugs.
  Bed bugs can spread from person to person. If you visit a neighbor’s home that has bed bugs, you could carry them back home with you.
• You recently bought second-hand furniture or a used mattress.
  When you bring used furniture into your home, bed bugs may hitch a ride on these items.
• You recently stayed at a hotel.
  Prior visitors could have brought bed bugs in, leaving the pests there to wait for your arrival.

If you notice signs of bed bugs or suspect you have a bed bug infestation, it’s important to contact a pest control professional to inspect your home. Every bed bug infestation is different. Western Exterminator offers customized treatment plans to meet your needs. Contact us or give us a call at 877-318-2993 today.

Think you have bed bugs? Contact Western Exterminator

Worried you’ve seen signs of bed bugs in your home? Don’t wait. Knowing how to tell if your house has bed bugs is one thing, but getting rid of them is more difficult, as these pests can spread fast. DIY fixes rarely solve the whole problem, and bed bugs are resistant to many over-the-counter treatments. To get to the root of the problem, contact Western Exterminator. 

Our bed bug control services are designed to find and treat infestations at the source. We’ll send one of our trained technicians to inspect your property, answer your questions, and build a treatment plan that fits your home. If you need help with your business, we also offer commercial pest control solutions.

Get in touch with us today and take the first step toward protecting your home from bed bugs.