Identifying Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are one of the most persistent and stressful pest problems for homeowners, renters, and property managers. Understanding how they spread, where they hide, and how to eliminate them is the first step toward protecting your home or business.
What Are Bed Bugs?
Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects—about the size of an apple seed—that feed on the blood of humans and animals. They’re most active at night, often hiding in mattresses, bed frames, and furniture during the day.
These pests are resilient:
- Female bed bugs can lay 200–250 eggs in their lifetime.
- Eggs hatch and reach adulthood in as little as 4–6 weeks, meaning a small problem can become a full-blown infestation in under two months.
- Nymphs can survive for months without a meal, while adults can live for over a year without feeding.
How Do Bed Bugs Spread?
Bed bugs are expert hitchhikers. They can travel between rooms and even between floors in multi-unit buildings. They spread by:
- Crawling through cracks, vents, and wall voids
- Being transported on luggage, clothing, or bedding
- Hiding in used furniture, mattresses, and electronics
Hotels, motels, apartments, and other high-turnover spaces face increased risk because new occupants may unknowingly bring them in.
Signs You May Have Bed Bugs
Early detection is key to preventing a large infestation.
Look for:
- Bites & Skin Irritation
- Rust-Colored Stains
- Fecal Droppings & Shedded Skins
- Musty, Sweet Odor
They Can Live Anywhere
When most people think of bed bugs, they think of hotels. But the truth is, bed bugs can thrive in single-family homes, apartments, hospitals, college dorm rooms, office buildings, schools, buses, trains, movie theaters, retail stores and just about anywhere that humans are.
In fact, according to the “Bugs without Borders” study, 89 percent of pest professionals report treating bed bug infestations in single-family homes, and 88 percent report treating bed bug infestations in apartments/condos. Respondents also report other common areas, with 67 percent treating bed bug infestations in hotels/motels, 35 percent in college dormitories, 9 percent on various modes of transportation, 5 percent in laundry facilities, and 4 percent in movie theaters.
Bed bugs aren’t just city dwellers
Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are not
just in big cities or third-world countries. They are found in all 50 states. The NPMA’s ” Bed Bugs in America” survey found that 17 percent of those surveyed reported having bed bugs in the Northeast; 20 percent in the Midwest; 20 percent in the South; and 19 percent in the West. However, the incidence of bed bugs is three times higher in urban areas than in rural areas due to factors such as larger population size, apartment living and increased mobility, which are conducive to the rapid spread and breeding of bed bugs.
Bed bugs are hardy
These pests can live for several months without a blood meal. This means they can linger in furniture, bags and suitcases for a long time until they are near a human host again. In addition, bed bugs can survive temperatures of nearly freezing to 122 degrees. Because of this, bed bugs are not a pest that can be treated with DIY measures. Professional pest control is the most effective way to treat an infestation.
Bed bugs are smart
As a survival instinct, bed bugs are elusive. They know to stay out of view during the daytime, hiding in mattress crevices, box springs, baseboards, behind electrical switch plates, in picture frames, and even behind wallpaper. But at nighttime, the carbon dioxide we exhale often tempts them out of their hiding spots.
Bed bugs are methodical
Bed bugs have a predictable feeding pattern. Once a bed bug finds a host, it will usually feed for 5 to 10 minutes until repletion. Sometimes the pattern of bed bugs feeding is jokingly referred to as breakfast, lunch and dinner as bites will often be found in a pattern. But the bite marks they leave behind – often in clusters or in a row on exposed skin on the chest, arms or legs – are telltale signs of a bed bug infestation.
Professional Bed Bug Removal & Guarantee
A1 Exterminators treats single-family homes, apartments, and entire multi-unit buildings. We offer:
- Free bed bug inspections
- Discreet service (unmarked vehicles)
- Treatment scheduling within 24–48 hours
- A follow-up guarantee—we don’t stop until your problem is gone
Common Bed Bug Hiding Places
Bedroom Furniture
Walls
Baseboards
Electrical Outlets
Luggage
Clothing
Upholstery