First, let’s discuss what you are looking for:
- Live bugs
- Dead bugs
- Dropping that look like small pen dots
- Blood stains that look like small pen dots
- Eggs that look like pieces of salt
Any live bugs or dead bugs you find, save in a plastic bag or sealed container. You need to first verify if the bug you found is in fact a bed bug, because there are different types of bugs that can live on your furniture that can bite or leave reactions. A bed bug looks like this:
You will need to inspect the places bed bugs will be found most: beds. You will need to flip over your mattresses and box springs to look underneath. Go ahead and rip off that fabric lining on the bottom of the box spring. You don’t need it anyway. Begin looking in the seams of your mattresses and box springs underneath, on top, and on the sides. Continue until every area is inspected.
Before putting your mattresses and box springs back, look in the corners and cracks in your headboards, foot-boards, and the metal bed frame. Once thoroughly inspected, go ahead and put everything back.
If you did happen to find bugs, or evidence of bugs, your next step will be to figure out what your next step should be. Obviously, you want to get rid of these bugs, but how? To help you out, I have a break down on treatment options for you to look over. Click here and check it out.
Did not find anything? Great! Now to do the same thing with your couches, sofas, and love seats! Pull back every crack and seam in the bottom, sides, backs, tops, and insides of each.
Still didn’t find anything? Great news! You could be in the clear. These are the areas bed bugs will be found the majority of the time. Why? Because they want to be found next to their food source: You.
If you still worry whether you have bed bugs or not, you could always call a professional. Most professional pest control companies can do a free bed bug inspection. To find a local pest company near you, click here.