How To Do A DIY Bed Bug Inspection

HOW TO DO A DIY BED BUG INSPECTION

TOOLS YOU WILL NEED

FLASHLIGHT

Using a flashlight can help illuminate bed bugs and see into cracks or crevices.

CARD OR SPATULA

A card, spatula, or similarly thin object can be used to dislodge bed bugs and eggs from seams or hard to reach cracks.

RUBBER GLOVES

SOAPY WATER AND A SPONGE OR RAG

To clean any signs of bed bugs you may find

START WITH YOUR BED

UNLESS YOU HAVE A VERY SEVERE INFESTATION, YOU WILL PROBABLY NOT FIND ANY LIVE BED BUGS ON YOUR BED COVERINGS, SHEETS, OR MATTRESS

Bed bugs like to be very well hidden and only spend a small fraction of their life out of their hiding spot - when they’re feeding!

Instead, keep your eye out for the SIGNS of bed bugs! The most common sign of bed bugs is their poop, which look like black specks (sometimes with a ring or cross around if some liquid absorbed into fabric). Occasionally a bed bug might be squished while feeding and appear like a burgundy stain.

Using a flashlight, observe the surface of your bed. Slowly peel back each layer of your bed coverings. Pay special attention to items like decorative throw pillows. Observe seams, zippers.

On mattresses, bed bug droppings might absorb into the mattress weave and appear like tiny plus signs. Check mattress seams for signs of bed bugs and eggs.

After you finish inspecting your sheets, gather all your bed coverings in a trash bag (to limit the spread of infestation), securely closing before relocating to washer. Wash and dry on high heat.

BEDFRAMES AND BEHIND BOXSPRING / FURNITURE DUST COVERS: the first place you will find bed bugs!