How to detect the presence of bedbugs in an apartment? - briefly
Examine mattress seams, box springs, and furniture for tiny reddish‑brown spots, live insects, or discarded skins using a flashlight. Check cracks, baseboards, and upholstery seams with a magnifying glass for additional signs of activity.
How to detect the presence of bedbugs in an apartment? - in detail
Detecting a bed‑bug infestation requires systematic visual inspection, monitoring devices, and knowledge of characteristic signs.
First, examine sleeping areas. Look for live insects, which are reddish‑brown, oval, and about 5 mm long. Check seams, folds, and stitching of mattresses, box springs, and pillowcases. Use a flashlight to illuminate dark crevices. Turn the mattress over and inspect the underside of the frame.
Second, search for excrement. Tiny dark specks, resembling pepper, appear on bedding, headboards, and nearby furniture. These spots are digested blood and confirm activity.
Third, locate shed skins. Bed bugs molt several times; the exuviae are translucent shells that cling to seams, cords, and carpet edges. Collect any found shells for identification.
Fourth, investigate cracks and crevices in walls, baseboards, and furniture joints. Bed bugs hide in these tight spaces during daylight. Use a thin probe or an old credit card to feel for movement.
Fifth, set up passive traps. Place double‑sided tape strips around bed legs and furniture legs. Attach interceptor cups beneath the legs; bugs falling into the cups cannot climb out.
Sixth, employ active monitors. Use commercially available CO₂ or heat‑based traps that attract bed bugs and capture them on sticky surfaces. Position traps near suspected hideouts and leave them for 48–72 hours.
Seventh, consider canine detection. Trained dogs can pinpoint infestations with high accuracy. This option is useful for large apartments or when visual signs are ambiguous.
Eighth, document findings. Photograph each suspect area, label with date and location, and record the number of insects, excrement spots, and shed skins observed. This record aids in assessing the severity and tracking treatment progress.
Ninth, verify species. If uncertain, collect a specimen in a sealed container and submit it to an entomology lab or pest‑control professional for microscopic confirmation.
Following these steps provides a comprehensive assessment of whether bed bugs are present in a residential unit.