Many people know the difficult symptoms of bed bugs, which can include red, itchy bites, a lack of good and comfortable sleep, and damage to upholstery. Yet for those who may just have come into home ownership or renting, they may not entirely understand how they contract bed bugs, or how to decide if you have them in the first place.

Let this guide serve as a simple instruction manual. Moreover, it’s important to note that nothing less than the use of an appropriate exterminator, replacing certain fixtures like your mattress, or killing them completely with high heat is essential. 

But before you progress, what are the major signs of bed bugs? In this post, we’ll discuss that and more:

A Notable Musty Odor

It’s easy to think that a musty smell means that you’re encountering damp, that you haven’t dried your laundry correctly, or perhaps your en-suite isn’t ventilating the steam from the room as well as it could.

However, a notable musty odor can also be a sign of bed bugs. They tend to emit a sweet smell that is unmistakable once you know what to look for, but not always so for those who aren’t familiar with bed bugs. If you’re unsure, consider the following steps:

Bed Bug Signs

You can actually see bed bugs on your mattress, especially on white bedclothes or mattress protectors. As they feed on your blood through small bites, they may sometimes stain the bed if squished. 

You can use a torch to look into the crevices and smaller areas of your mattress, to make certain that they’re present. Look long enough, and you’ll no doubt see them. Look for a plethora of unexplained black dots. Of course, if you notice them, then this warrants immediate action as outlined above - try to arrange a different sleeping area for the night.

Skin Reactions & Restless Sleep

Bed bugs have been known to cause mental health issues in those who’ve been sleeping with them, due to a lack of REM sleep which can cause real problems for your nightly recovery. But it’s not just constant restless sleep that may be a sign of bed bugs, but also bites on your skin and skin reactions. Unexplained rashes, tiny sores, and even small blood streaks can all indicate that some very rude bugs have considered you pride of place on their dinner menu.

This is no laughing matter of course, because this can cause very real issues. Skin creams to soothe bites can be ideal. However, don’t just rely on this as a sign, because not everyone will have a visible skin reaction to the bites given how small bed bugs are.

With this advice, you’ll know how to identify bed bugs, and understand some of the options you can take to prevent further issues. Unfortunately, this is a problem that will be around for some time, in all countries, but you can still remain vigilant and prevent them from spreading further.