Bed Bugs Identification Guide

What bed bugs look like

Adult bed bugs are flat, oval and reddish-brown, about the size of an apple seed. After feeding they swell and turn darker red. Young bed bugs (nymphs) are smaller and pale, almost see-through.

Eggs are tiny, pearly white and glued into seams, cracks and crevices close to where people sleep or sit.

Signs you have bed bugs

• Itchy bites in lines or small clusters, often on arms, neck and legs
• Small dark or rust-coloured spots on sheets and mattress seams
• Shed skins and pale eggs in seams, bed frames and furniture joints
• Live bugs in the mattress, headboard, couch or baseboards
• A musty, sweet smell in heavy infestations

Are they dangerous?

Bed bugs are not known to spread disease, but their bites, the stress and the lost sleep are real. They spread quickly between rooms and between units in apartment buildings, and they are very hard to remove with store-bought products.

How to prevent them

• Inspect hotel beds and keep luggage off the floor
• Wash and dry travel clothes on high heat when you get home
• Check second-hand furniture carefully before bringing it inside
• Use mattress and box spring encasements
• Act fast at the first sign: small infestations are easier to clear