Did you know that there are almost 100 species of bed bugs living across the world, and in the US, at least 20% of people experience bed bugs at some point in their lives? These little critters are present in every state; even though bed bugs carry somewhat of a stigma in many parts of the world, they are actually very common.

Despite their prevalence throughout the world, many people do not know how to recognize a bed bug infestation, leading to the situation getting much worse before they are able to treat it. It pays, then, to be aware of the signs of a bed bug infestation so that you can catch any bed bugs present in your household—or a bed on your travels—before their population has time to swell and affect more areas of your life.

Signs of a bed bug infestation

Because bed bugs are very small and pretty good at hiding inside mattresses, headboards, cracks, and other crevices and furniture in your home, spotting them can be tricky unless you know what to look out for:

Bites

• If you are waking up with small, itchy bite marks on your body, there is a good chance that you could have bed bugs. These bites will usually be on skin that is exposed when you are sleeping, like the face and arms, and in rare cases, might swell too.

A sweet smell

• Sometimes, it is possible to smell bed bugs. This is particularly the case for large infestations, where the pheromones that the bed bugs emit are more potent due to their number. The smell is often described as a sweet, musky odor like rotten fruit.

Marks on bedding and mattresses

A common sign of bed bugs that you might notice is small, dark blood spots on your bed linens. Though this is sometimes thought of as blood from your bites, it is actually the bed bugs’ excrement. Because they consume blood, this makes up most of their fecal matter, too.

• Additionally, in the case of a larger infestation that has been present for a significant amount of time, you may notice large dark spots on mattresses, too. This is simply a buildup of the tiny excrement spots as they accumulate.

Tiny bugs

• Though they are quite secretive, you may, from time to time, spot a live bed bug or a casing that they have shed. Bed bugs are very small, reaching - at their maximum - around 4 to 5 millimeters. They move very quickly and cannot fly; younger bed bugs are lighter in color, and as they reach maturity, they become a reddish-brown color. Bed bug eggs, which may be present in your furniture or in crevices in your home, are tiny and white.

What to do if you notice these signs

Whether you have spotted bed bugs in your home or in a hotel or guesthouse, it is important to act fast. Bed bugs travel on your clothes and possessions, so avoiding bed bugs on vacation will protect your own home, too.

Our natural, plant-based Bed Bug Patrol Killer Spray provides an all-natural solution to infestations of bed bugs, as well as fleas, spiders, and other common indoor bugs. Our 100% natural solution is made in the USA. It relies on the power of natural ingredients like citric acid, clove oil, and peppermint oil to naturally deter these bugs from living in your furnishings and upholstery. Just spray our solution on affected surfaces twice per day, and it will get to work on exterminating your bed bugs and preventing their return. To keep you safe from bed bugs on your travels, arm yourself with our Bed Bug Blasting Travel Spray, which comes in a handy, TSA-approved travel-size bottle for your convenience.