Bed Bugs: How to Check, and Who to Call
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Quick answer: Look for physical signs, not just bites: rusty stains, dark spots, tiny pale eggs and live bugs along mattress seams, the box spring and bed frame (EPA). Bites are a poor indicator (EPA). If you find them, contact a pest control professional or your landlord; UC IPM says elimination is best done by a professional.
⚠ Safety first:
- Try non-chemical steps first: remove food, water and shelter and seal entry points (EPA IPM; UC IPM).
- If you use a pesticide, read and follow the label; the label is the law (EPA). Never use products labeled for outdoor use indoors.
- Keep kids and pets away from treated areas and baits; store pesticides in their original containers, up high and locked (EPA).
- Poison emergency: call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (U.S.).
- Don’t use outdoor or agricultural products, or foggers, on beds or furniture; follow the label (EPA).
Steps: easiest & free first
- Inspect the bedFREE · 20 min
With a flashlight, check mattress piping, seams and tags, the box spring and cracks in the frame and headboard (EPA). - Know the signsFREE
Rusty or reddish stains, dark spots, eggs and eggshells about 1 mm, and live bugs (EPA). Carpet beetles are often mistaken for bed bugs (EPA). - Save a sampleFREE
Put a suspect bug in a sealed bag or on clear tape for identification. - Don’t move things aroundFREE
Moving furniture or sleeping elsewhere can spread them; keep items in place until a pro advises. - Call a pro or your landlordPRO
Professional treatment is the recommended route (UC IPM). Renters: report in writing right away.
⚠ When to call a pro: termites or wood damage; bed bugs; rodents living inside walls, ceilings or attics; wasp, hornet or yellowjacket nests (especially in walls or the ground); or any infestation that hasn’t improved after a few weeks of steady effort. Renters: report pests to your landlord in writing. If you hire a company, EPA’s Citizen’s Guide covers how to choose one. Renting? See what you can fix vs. call your landlord.
Helpful supplies
| Item | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashlight | Inspect seams and cracks | Check price [PLACEHOLDER – no affiliate link] |
| Mattress encasement | Can help after treatment | Check price [PLACEHOLDER – no affiliate link] |
Generic categories only; check the product label and your home’s needs before buying.
Sources
- EPA – How to Find Bed Bugs
- EPA – Bed Bugs
- UC Statewide IPM – Pest Notes: Bed Bugs
- EPA – Pesticides and Consumers (Safe Pest Control)
- EPA – Citizen’s Guide to Pest Control and Pesticide Safety
- EPA – Introduction to Integrated Pest Management
- EPA – Introduction to Pesticide Labels
- EPA – Reduce Your Child’s Chances of Pesticide Poisoning