Advice guide
Signs of bedbugs: what to look for
Bedbugs are good at hiding, and itchy marks have many possible causes. Here's how to look for real evidence.
Bites alone can't confirm bedbugs
Many things cause itchy red marks — other insects, allergies, skin conditions. Bites are a reason to look carefully, not proof. If you are concerned about a skin reaction, speak to a pharmacist or your GP.
What a bedbug looks like
Adults are flat, oval and reddish-brown, about the size of an apple seed. Younger bedbugs are smaller and paler.
Where to look
- Mattress seams, piping and labels
- Joints and screw holes in bed frames and headboards
- Bedside furniture, especially drawers and joints
- Skirting boards, loose wallpaper and sockets near the bed
Evidence to look for
- Small dark spots that may smear, like a felt-tip dot
- Rusty marks on sheets
- Pale, empty shed skins
- Live insects in crevices
What to do — and not do
- Photograph anything you find, with a coin or ruler for scale.
- Don't move suspect mattresses, beds or furniture to other rooms — it can spread the problem.
- Wait for tailored preparation instructions before bagging or stripping rooms.
Read how we approach bedbug treatment in Coventry.
This guide is general information to help you recognise and describe a problem. It isn't medical advice or treatment instructions. Follow any tailored preparation instructions you are given for your property.