Identify • Prevent • Remove

Bed bugs: the early signs, the real fixes, and how to sleep again

If you’re seeing suspicious bites or little black specks on seams, this page will help you confirm what you’re dealing with and choose a removal plan that actually works.

Spot the signs Compare removal options
Bed bug fecal stains and translucent shed skins along a mattress seam with a US quarter for scale.
Fecal stains are tiny, flat dark dots that soak into fabric—add a coin for scale.
Early signs of bed bugs

How to confirm an infestation in under 10 minutes

Mattress & headboard seams

Look for flat dark fecal stains, translucent shed skins, and live bugs tucked into seams and screw holes.

Interceptors under bed legs

Place pitfall cups under each leg. Check daily. They catch bugs climbing and help track progress.

Laundry & encasements

High-heat wash/dry, then apply mattress/box-spring encasements to trap survivors and simplify inspection.

Bites vs look-alikes

Are these bed bug bites… or something else?

Reactions vary and can be delayed. Confirm with physical evidence on bedding and furniture rather than skin alone.

Removal & monitoring

DIY vs professional: what actually works

Bed leg sitting inside a white bed bug interceptor trap; tiny captured bed bug in the inner well.
Interceptors sit under bed legs and catch bugs climbing; check them every morning.

Heat treatment (pro)

Whole-home heat to lethal temperatures in one day. Fast and thorough when done correctly.

Chemical treatment (pro)

Lower upfront cost but often multiple visits. Pair with encasements and interceptors.

DIY suppression

Vacuuming, high-heat laundry, steam on seams, encasements, interceptors, and labeled products for small early cases.

FAQs

Common questions, answered

Do bed bugs spread disease?

They aren’t known to transmit disease to humans, but they can cause itching, welts, anxiety, and sleep disruption.

Can I get rid of bed bugs myself?

Sometimes, if caught early and you’re diligent. Larger infestations usually require professional treatment.