Notoriously difficult to spot, these small pests are typically about the size of an apple seed, and have flat, oval-shaped bodies that are reddish-brown in color. After feeding, their bodies swell and become more elongated, turning a darker red. You might first notice their presence by the bites they leave behind—small, red, itchy welts that often appear in a line or cluster on exposed skin. However, not everyone reacts to bed bug bites, so it’s important to look for other signs as well. One of the most telling signs of a bed bug infestation is the presence of tiny, black to rust-colored stains on your sheets or mattress. These stains are caused by bed bugs being crushed while feeding or from their droppings. You may also find small, pale yellow shed skins or eggs, which are often tucked away in mattress seams, bed frames, or the edges of carpets.

Bed bugs reproduce at a rapid rate. A single female bed bug can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime, and these eggs hatch in just a matter of days. Once an infestation begins, it can spread quickly throughout a home, infesting not only bedrooms but also living rooms, closets, and even electrical outlets. Bed bugs are highly resilient and can survive for months without feeding, which makes getting rid of them particularly challenging. They can also hitch a ride on clothing, luggage, or even pets, spreading the infestation to other areas of the home or to new locations altogether.