How to check for bedbugs? - briefly
Inspect mattress seams, folds, and edges with a flashlight and magnifying glass for tiny rust‑colored spots, live insects, or shed skins; also examine bed frames, headboards, and adjacent furniture for the same evidence. Place double‑sided tape traps in suspected areas to capture any wandering pests for confirmation.
How to check for bedbugs? - in detail
Detecting bedbug infestations requires systematic visual inspection, tactile confirmation, and strategic use of tools. Begin by removing all bedding, linens, and clothing from the sleeping area. Examine seams, folds, and tags of sheets and pillowcases for live insects, pale‑orange shells, or dark specks of feces. Use a flashlight to illuminate cracks and crevices in the mattress, box spring, and headboard; the insects hide in the seams, stitching, and under the fabric.
Inspect the surrounding furniture. Focus on:
- Upholstered chairs and sofas: pull back cushions, check stitching, and look under the frame.
- Bed frame and headboard: examine joints, screws, and any hollow spaces.
- Baseboards, picture frames, and wall hangings: lift and probe edges where insects may crawl.
- Luggage racks, suitcases, and travel bags: open compartments, shake out contents, and inspect fabric linings.
Employ a fine‑toothed comb or a disposable brush to sweep dust and debris from suspect areas. Collect any suspected specimens in a sealed plastic bag for laboratory identification or compare them with reference images of adult bedbugs (5–7 mm, reddish‑brown, oval) and nymphs (smaller, translucent).
If visual cues are ambiguous, use a bedbug detection kit containing a passive interceptor trap. Place traps under each leg of the bed and furniture; the insects move upward and become trapped in a sticky surface, allowing later verification.
For thoroughness, repeat the inspection after a 7‑ to 10‑day interval. Bedbugs may be missed during early stages; a second survey captures newly hatched nymphs that have emerged from eggs laid in hidden locations.
Document findings with photographs and notes on exact locations. This record supports targeted treatment and helps monitor the efficacy of any control measures applied later.