Why early detection matters
Bed bugs can enter a Detroit home without warning. They hitchhike on luggage, clothing, used furniture, bedding and other belongings, and an infestation has nothing to do with whether a home is clean or dirty.
The good news is that early detection can make a bed bug infestation easier to control. The key is knowing what signs to look for before the infestation becomes widespread.
If you live in Detroit or the surrounding Southeast Michigan area and are finding unexplained bites, blood spots or small insects around your bed, it may be time to have your home professionally inspected.
8 signs you have bed bugs
1. Unexplained itchy bites after sleeping
One of the most commonly reported signs of bed bugs is waking up with new itchy bites on exposed areas of the body:
Some people develop small red, itchy bumps, while others have little or no reaction. Bites can appear in groups or lines, but bites alone are not enough to confirm bed bugs. Mosquitoes, fleas and other insects can cause similar reactions. That is why physical evidence is so important.
- Arms
- Legs
- Hands
- Neck
- Back
- Face
2. Small dark spots on your sheets or mattress
Tiny dark or black spots may be bed bug fecal matter. They look like dots of ink or pepper and may smear slightly when wet. Check these areas:
- Mattress seams and corners
- Box spring seams
- Around the headboard
- Bed frame joints
- Bedding
- Upholstered furniture near the bed
3. Rusty or reddish blood stains
Small rusty or reddish stains on your sheets can occur when a bed bug is crushed after feeding. If you repeatedly find unexplained blood spots, inspect the mattress and surrounding area carefully.
4. Shed bed bug skins
Bed bugs shed their outer skins as they grow. Look for pale, translucent or tan skins around mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, headboards, furniture cracks, baseboards and crevices near sleeping areas. Finding several is a strong reason to investigate further.
5. Tiny white eggs or eggshells
Bed bug eggs are pale or pearl-white, extremely small and usually attached in cracks, crevices and other protected spots around mattress seams, bed frames and furniture joints. A small number of eggs can eventually contribute to a larger infestation.
6. You actually see a bed bug
The most reliable evidence is finding and correctly identifying a live bed bug. Adults are small, flat, oval and reddish-brown, about the size of an apple seed. Young bed bugs (nymphs) are smaller and lighter, which makes them harder to spot.
Because other insects can look similar, the State of Michigan recommends having a suspected bed bug properly identified rather than relying on bites or appearance alone.
7. A sweet or musty odor
A sweet or musty smell can sometimes occur with a heavier infestation. It is rarely the first sign, but alongside fecal spots, shed skins or live insects it is another clue.
8. Bed bugs showing up beyond the bed
Despite the name, bed bugs don't stay in the mattress. As an infestation grows, they can hide in:
- Mattresses, box springs and bed frames
- Headboards, nightstands and dressers
- Sofas and chairs
- Baseboards and cracks in walls
- Behind picture frames and curtains
- Around outlets and furniture joints
Where should you look for bed bugs?
Start where people sleep. Use a flashlight to inspect mattress seams, the box spring, bed frame and headboard, looking inside folds, seams, cracks and joints. Then expand to nearby furniture and the rest of the room.
The EPA recommends looking for physical signs: live bed bugs, dark fecal spots, blood stains, eggs, eggshells and shed skins.
How do bed bugs get into Detroit homes?
Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers. They commonly come in on:
They can also spread between units in apartments and multi-family homes, which are common across Detroit. The City of Detroit emphasizes that bed bugs are not a sign of a dirty home and can affect anyone.
- Luggage and overnight bags
- Clothing and handbags
- Used furniture and mattresses
- Bedding and boxes
- Items brought home from infested locations
Do bed bug bites mean you definitely have bed bugs?
No, and this is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make. Bed bug bites can look like mosquito or flea bites, and some people don't react at all. The EPA warns that bites are a poor way to confirm an infestation; physical evidence is much stronger.
What to do if you think you have bed bugs
Don't panic, and don't throw away your mattress or furniture right away. Instead:
The City of Detroit recommends contacting a licensed pest management professional when bed bugs are suspected, and the State of Michigan describes bed bug elimination as complicated and labor-intensive.
- Stop moving possibly infested furniture around the home
- Inspect the bed and surrounding areas carefully
- Look for physical evidence of bed bugs
- Avoid sleeping in another bedroom, which can spread the infestation
- Don't rely on bug bombs or random pesticide sprays
- Call a pest control professional for an inspection
Need bed bug control in Detroit or Southeast Michigan?
Bed bugs hide in very small spaces and spread beyond where they started, so waiting until you see large numbers makes them harder to control.
If you suspect bed bugs in your Detroit home or apartment, Broner Pest Control can inspect, identify the problem and recommend the right treatment approach. We are a residential-focused pest control company serving homes throughout Detroit and Southeast Michigan.
Frequently asked questions
What are the first signs of bed bugs?
Common signs include unexplained bites, dark fecal spots on bedding or mattresses, blood stains, shed skins, eggs, eggshells and live bed bugs. Bites alone are not enough to confirm an infestation.
What do bed bugs look like?
Adult bed bugs are small, flat, oval-shaped and reddish-brown, about the size of an apple seed. Younger bed bugs are smaller and lighter in color.
Can a clean house get bed bugs?
Yes. Bed bugs are not caused by poor hygiene. They are hitchhiking insects that enter homes on luggage, clothing, furniture, bedding and other belongings.
Where do bed bugs hide?
Mostly around sleeping areas: mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, headboards and nearby furniture. They also hide in cracks, crevices, baseboards and other protected spots.
Are bed bug bites enough to prove I have bed bugs?
No. Bed bug bites can resemble other insect bites, and some people don't react at all. A professional inspection and physical identification give a much more reliable answer.
How quickly should I treat a bed bug infestation?
As soon as you suspect one. Early detection and treatment help keep the problem from spreading.
Learn more about our bed bug control, and pest control in Detroit. Call 734-608-3435 or email info@bronerpest.com to schedule an inspection.
Need help now? See our bed bug control services for Southeast Michigan homes.