Do a few bedbugs mean you have an infestation?

Key points

• Bedbugs multiply rapidly — a few can become hundreds within a few weeks.

• Bedbug infestations can be identified by bites, droppings and cast skins in hidden areas.

• Professional pest control services are most effective for eliminating severe bedbug infestations.

It’s a nightmare scenario. You’ve just climbed into your bed, eager for a good night’s rest — then, you spot a bedbug. It’s just one, but that doesn’t stop the panic from setting in as you imagine your home overrun by these tiny, bloodsucking pests.

Thankfully, finding a lone bedbug doesn’t mean you’re dealing with a full-blown infestation, but knowing how to spot the difference between a few bedbugs and a small nation of mattress invaders can help you save time, money and stress as you devise an appropriate plan of attack. Some telltale signs of a bedbug infestation include frequent bedbug sightings, excessive excrement and a musty odor.

To clear up any confusion, we’ve tapped into the expertise of two pest control professionals: Allan Bossel, operations expert at BBE Bed Bug Exterminator in St. Petersburg, Florida, and James Agardy, ACE, technical and training manager at Viking Pest Control in Liberty Corner, New Jersey. These pros shared tips on distinguishing a minor bedbug problem from a major infestation.

What are common signs of bedbugs?

Early detection of bedbugs can help prevent full-blown infestations. When you have bedbugs in your home, you may occasionally notice the following signs:

• Live bedbugs
• Bedbug eggs
• Exoskeletons (molts)
• Bloodstains on sheets
• Dark spots (fecal matter)

How do you manage a bedbug infestation?

If you find bedbugs in your home, there’s no need to panic. You just need to act quickly and effectively.

Just within a few weeks, a few bugs can easily become hundreds.

Allan Bossel

Here are a few approaches to handling a bedbug problem. You’ll likely need a combination of treatments to completely rid your home of these pests.

Vacuuming

Regular vacuuming can reduce bedbug populations by removing live bugs, eggs and nymphs from infested areas. Focus on seams, crevices and corners, and immediately dispose of the vacuum contents outside to prevent reinfestation. However, vacuuming alone is unlikely to entirely eliminate a bedbug problem.

Steam cleaning

Steam cleaning can be an effective way to kill bedbugs and their eggs on contact. High-temperature steam (above 200°F) should be applied to infested areas, offering a chemical-free approach to eliminating bedbugs.

Heat treatments

Professional heat treatments involve increasing the temperature in specific rooms or your entire home to lethal levels for bedbugs (typically above 120°F). The heat penetrates deep into furniture and walls, tackling widespread infestations.

Insecticides

Bedbug infestations are often treated with insecticides. You can purchase products or hire a pest control professional. Either way, using insecticides safely and according to the manufacturer’s instructions is necessary.

Encasements

Bedbug encasements for mattresses and box springs trap bedbugs inside and prevent new infestations. For best results, keep an encasement on your mattress for at least a year to ensure all the bugs die off.

Natural remedies

Here are some natural ways to get rid of bedbugs:

• Silica gel: Grind the beads and spread the powder around infested areas to dehydrate and kill bedbugs. While generally considered nonflammable and nontoxic, the small beads can present a choking hazard to children and small animals.
• Rubbing alcohol: Spraying rubbing alcohol can kill bedbugs on contact.
• Essential oils: Oils such as tea tree, lavender and peppermint can repel bedbugs and reduce infestations.
• Diatomaceous earth: This natural powder dehydrates and kills bedbugs, similar to silica gel. Spread it in cracks and crevices where bedbugs hide.

Cryonite treatment

Cryonite treatment uses carbon dioxide snow to freeze and kill bedbugs. This nontoxic method leaves no residue, making it safe for use around food, pets and plants.

Professional extermination

Your best bet for curbing severe infestations is to hire a professional pest control company. Bedbugs are resilient creatures and expert hiders. Professionals have access to advanced treatments and equipment unavailable to the general public, Bossel explained.

“DIY treatments can be effective for low-level infestations, but due to the nature of bedbug habits and the intense degree of thoroughness required to successfully treat them, professional treatment is advised to control infestations,” Agardy confirmed.

Professional pest control companies such as Terminix or Orkin can also provide follow-up inspections and treatments to ensure the infestation is fully resolved.

What are bedbugs?

Bedbugs are small, parasitic insects that thrive on human or animal blood, though they prefer human hosts. Adult bedbugs measure around 3/16 to 1/4 inch long — approximately the size of an apple seed — and appear reddish-brown. 

Before feeding, bedbugs are oval-shaped and relatively flat, which allows them to hide in tiny crevices. But after feeding, they swell and become more elongated, making them much easier to spot.

Young bedbugs, or nymphs, are smaller and translucent pale yellow, making them nearly invisible if they haven’t fed recently. A female bedbug’s eggs are tiny and pearl white, about the size of a pinhead.

Common hiding places for bedbugs

Bedbugs spend most of their time hiding in hard-to-reach places, including the following:

• Bed frames
• Box springs
• Headboards
• Mattresses

“If you suspect you may have bedbugs the first thing you should do is inspect [your surroundings],” Agardy said.

Bedbugs like to stay close to their feeding areas, typically near beds or sleeping areas, but in heavy infestations, they may spread to other parts of the home, including couches or upholstery.

Bedbugs hide in tight spaces between feedings— behind baseboards and inside electrical outlets — as they are secure. 

Other common hiding spots include inside curtain rods, on the pleats of curtains and within personal belongings such as books and stuffed animals, according to Agardy. 

How to prevent bringing bedbugs into your home?

Bedbugs are notorious hitchhikers. They can easily get into your home by hitching a ride on luggage, clothes or used furniture. Even if you don’t bring them in yourself, bedbugs from a nearby neighbor (in an apartment or condo) can quickly and easily spread to your home.

Once bedbugs enter your home, they quickly find hiding spots and start breeding. A small number of bedbugs can escalate quickly into an infestation, as female bedbugs lay eggs daily and reproduce rapidly. 

“Just within a few weeks, a few bugs can easily become hundreds,” Bossel said. It’s best to prevent them from entering, as dealing with an infestation can be very challenging.

Are bedbugs dangerous?

Bedbugs are not the most dangerous pests, but there are some risks to consider. When they bite, bedbugs inject an anesthetic and anticoagulant, which prevents you from feeling the bite right away and can delay the appearance of bite marks for up to 14 days. 

In some cases, you may never notice a bite at all. But if you do, they often appear as red, itchy welts in clusters or lines on your skin. Common bite spots include the arms, legs, neck and face — areas typically most exposed during sleep. 

Although not common, bedbug bites can lead to several health issues. Some people experience allergic reactions to the bites, resulting in large, painful and swollen marks. In rare cases, a severe allergic reaction can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition. 

Even if your reaction is mild, excessively scratching bedbug bites can lead to secondary infections, which may require medical attention. The stress and discomfort of living with bedbugs can also cause psychological effects like insomnia and anxiety.

What’s next?

After resolving a bedbug infestation, the last thing you want to do is let your guard down. Remain vigilant to prevent another infestation from sneaking up on you.

Conduct regular home inspections, especially in areas where you had bedbugs before and where they are likely to hide. Use preventative products such as bedbug interceptors on bed legs and mattress encasements to help detect and prevent new infestations. Finally, keep your home clean and clutter-free, as bedbugs thrive in messy environments.

Staying one step ahead of bedbugs significantly reduces the risk of another infestation. Remember, when you maintain a healthy, pest-free home, you can sleep tight and not let the bedbugs bite.