While these pests do leave bites on the skin, so do other insects like mosquitoes and chiggers, which can mislead you to think you have a bed bug infestation when you don’t. The best way to determine if they are active in your home is to rely on physical signs such as:

• Small rust-red stains on sheets, bedding, and mattress.
• Dark dots of fecal matter about the size of a pen point. 
• Eggs about 1 millimeter in size.
• Live bed bugs, about the size of apple seeds.

They often hide anywhere that gives a bit of cover, such as near the seams of a mattress, near the mattress tag, or by the frame of your bed. Beyond the bed, they often tuck away between cushions of furniture, behind outlet covers, and under wallpaper. 

The longer an infestation persists, the more widespread it becomes and the more difficult it is to remove. If you think you have a problem with these pests, reach out to Connor’s Pest Pros right away for a professional bed bug inspection!