Inspect mattress seams and headboards with a flashlight

What to Do

Using a bright flashlight, systematically inspect mattress seams, tufts, and piping. Check the box spring (especially the dust cover on the bottom). Examine the headboard — both front and back. Check nightstand drawers, picture frames, electrical outlets near the bed, and baseboards within 5 feet of sleeping areas.

Why It Works

Early detection is critical because small infestations are far easier and cheaper to treat. Bed bugs are cryptic and nocturnal, hiding in tight spaces during the day. Regular inspection catches them before the population explodes. Look for: live bugs (4-5mm, flat, reddish-brown), dark fecal spots, rust-colored blood smears, shed skins, and a sweet musty odor in heavily infested rooms.

Tips

• Not everyone reacts to bed bug bites — visual inspection is more reliable than waiting for bites
• Bed bugs are flat enough to hide in the slot of a screw head
• Inspect after travel or having overnight guests
• A magnifying glass helps identify eggs (1mm, white, grain-of-rice shaped)