How Do I Know If I Have Bed Bugs?
- Oct 23
- 3 min read
You wake up in the morning with a few itchy red spots and a sinking thought crosses your mind — could it be bed bugs? It’s one of those questions no homeowner ever wants to ask, but it’s better to know sooner rather than later. Bed bugs don’t go away on their own, and catching them early can make a huge difference in how tough (and expensive) the battle becomes.
At TruPest Solutions, we’ve seen firsthand how sneaky these pests can be. Here’s how a professional like myself would identify a bed bug infestation — and what you can look for at home if you suspect something’s biting in the night.
What Bed Bugs Look Like
Adult bed bugs are small, about the size of an apple seed (4–5 mm), flat, oval-shaped, and reddish-brown in color. After feeding, they swell up and turn darker, almost like a small coffee bean. Nymphs (young bed bugs) are lighter in color and harder to spot, while their eggs are tiny, white, and often hidden deep in cracks and crevices.
Because they’re so small and good at hiding, many homeowners mistake them for other bugs or never see them at all. That’s why professionals use trained eyes, specialized flashlights, and inspection tools to confirm an infestation — even in the tightest hiding spots.
Signs You May Have Bed Bugs at Home
If you’re wondering how to tell if you have bed bugs, here are the most common signs I look for during an inspection:
Itchy, Red Bites: Usually in clusters or straight lines, often on your arms, legs, back, or neck.
Blood Stains on Sheets or Pillowcases: Small rusty spots where bed bugs were crushed after feeding.
Dark Specks or Droppings: Tiny black or brown dots (bed bug waste) near mattress seams or headboards.
Shed Skins or Eggshells: Bed bugs shed their skins as they grow. Finding them is a clear sign of activity.
A Musty, Sweet Odor: A heavy, sweet smell in your bedroom can indicate a large infestation.
If you’ve noticed even one of these warning signs, it’s time to act fast. Bed bugs reproduce quickly, and a few can turn into hundreds in a matter of weeks.
Where Bed Bugs Hide
Bed bugs are experts at hiding close to their food source — you. They don’t just stay in your mattress. Here’s where we often find them:
In the seams and tags of mattresses or box springs
Behind headboards and baseboards
Inside wall outlets and light switches
In couch cushions, recliners, and carpet edges
Behind picture frames or wallpaper
Professionals know exactly where to check and what to look for, which makes the inspection process thorough and effective.
What Bed Bugs Eat (and How Often)
Bed bugs feed exclusively on blood — human blood, to be exact. They usually feed at night, biting exposed skin while you sleep. A single bed bug can feed every few days, but they can also survive months without a meal, making them stubbornly persistent even when a room looks “empty.”
How Fast Bed Bugs Reproduce
This is where things get tricky. A single female bed bug can lay 200–500 eggs in her lifetime. Those eggs can hatch in as little as 6–10 days, and in about a month, those nymphs become breeding adults themselves. That’s why DIY sprays and store-bought foggers rarely work — they might kill the adults you see but not the eggs you don’t.
How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs
Here’s the truth: once bed bugs move in, over-the-counter sprays and home remedies usually won’t cut it. These pests are resistant to many chemicals, hide deep in cracks, and can survive long enough to re-infest once treatments wear off.
Professional bed bug control is the best way to eliminate them for good. At TruPest Solutions, we use proven inspection and treatment methods — from targeted applications to heat and follow-up visits — to break the breeding cycle completely.
Why Professional Help Is Best
We find every hiding spot, not just the obvious ones.
Our treatments are safe and effective, targeting both live bugs and eggs.
We follow up to ensure the infestation is gone for good.
And most importantly — we give you peace of mind knowing your home is pest-free again.
Don’t Wait — Get Professional Bed Bug Treatment in Rialto & Fontana
If you’re seeing bites, spotting stains, or just have that gut feeling something’s not right, don’t ignore it. Bed bugs won’t go away on their own — but we can make them go away for you.
Call TruPest Solutions today at 951-334-5288 to schedule your inspection and let us help you sleep comfortably again.
