Advice
Signs of Bed Bugs and What to Do Next
Bed bugs are small, flat insects that hide close to where people sleep, and knowing the early signs helps you act before they spread through a home.
Read the guide →This page focuses on spotting the early signs, confirming a problem and preventing reinfestation. If you already know you need a treatment visit, our bed bug removal page explains what happens on the day and how to prepare the room.
Spotting the early signs
Bed bugs are easy to miss at first. Early signs include itchy bites in lines or clusters, tiny blood spots on bedding, dark specks on mattress seams and the headboard, and small pale shed skins. A sweet, musty smell can appear when numbers grow. Bites alone are unreliable, as plenty of other insects bite at night. Do not spray the bed with household products, as this can scatter the insects and hide the evidence.
Use a torch and look along seams, labels, bed slats, behind headboards and in the cracks of nearby furniture. Catching bed bugs when only a few are present makes control quicker and simpler. If you find anything suspicious, keep a sample or take a clear photograph and we can help identify it. Early identification saves you time, disturbance and stress.
Inspection, confirmation and monitoring
A proper inspection looks at the bed, the surrounding furniture, the skirting and the rest of the room, then nearby rooms if needed. Confirming the pest first avoids unnecessary treatment and worry, because many marks and specks turn out to be something else. Once we know what we are dealing with, we explain the findings in plain terms. We keep the findings simple, with no jargon, so you can decide what to do next.
Where a problem is confirmed, we agree a plan and the price before any work begins. Monitoring afterwards shows whether bed bugs are still active, using visual checks at follow-up visits. For properties with regular turnover, ongoing checks give early warning and help you act before guests or tenants notice anything. Written notes after each visit help landlords and managers keep a clear record of what was done.
Prevention for homes, landlords and holiday lets
Bed bugs usually arrive on luggage, clothing or second-hand furniture. When travelling, check the bed and headboard in a hotel room, keep cases off the floor and bed, and unpack straight into a hot wash where you can. Inspect secondhand beds, sofas and mattresses carefully before they come into your home. Packing a few sealed bags for dirty laundry on the way home is a cheap habit that really works.
Landlords, guest houses and holiday let owners across Devon welcome many visitors through the year, so routine checks matter. Look under mattresses and along bed frames between stays, keep records of any reports and act quickly on a complaint. Early inspection protects your guests, your reputation and your bookings, and it keeps the cost of dealing with a problem down. Share simple guidance with staff or cleaners so they know what to look for and who to tell.
Frequently asked questions
How do you confirm bed bugs?
We carry out a careful visual inspection of the bed, frame, headboard, skirting and nearby furniture, looking for live insects, eggs, shed skins and staining. Where we find evidence we tell you exactly what and where. If we find nothing, we say so and suggest what to watch for. We are happy to explain more when you get in touch.
Can bed bugs live in a clean home?
Yes. Bed bugs feed on people, not dirt, so cleanliness does not decide whether they arrive. They are carried in on luggage, clothes and furniture. Regular tidying does make an inspection easier, and reducing clutter around the bed gives them fewer places to hide. We are happy to explain more when you get in touch.
What should landlords do between tenancies?
Check mattresses, bed frames and headboards before new tenants move in, and respond promptly to any report of bites or marks. Keep notes of what was found and done. We can inspect a property on request and advise on sensible routine checks for rentals. We are happy to explain more when you get in touch.
Is monitoring worth it after a treatment?
Yes. Eggs can hatch after treatment, so checking for activity at a follow-up visit confirms that the problem has gone. Between visits, watch for fresh bites, new blood spots or live insects and tell us straight away if anything appears. We are happy to explain more when you get in touch.