How to Tell If You Have Bed Bugs: 7 Warning Signs to Look For (Evansville, Newburgh Indiana)
- yikespest
- Apr 9
- 3 min read
Finding bed bugs in your home can be a nightmare—but catching them early makes all the difference. Bed bugs are tiny, sneaky pests that multiply quickly and can be hard to eliminate once they've settled in. The good news? You can spot the early signs before the problem gets out of control.
In this post, we’ll walk you through 7 warning signs that might indicate a bed bug infestation in your home. We’ll also share tips on what to do if you suspect you’ve got company.
Need help now? Contact the experts at Yikes Pest Control for fast, effective bed bug removal.
1. Unexplained Red Bites on Your Skin
One of the first and most obvious signs of bed bugs is waking up with red, itchy bites—often in a line or zigzag pattern. These bites usually appear on areas of your body that are exposed while sleeping: arms, neck, face, and legs.
While not everyone reacts to bed bug bites the same way, if you're getting bites regularly overnight, it’s time to investigate.
🧐 Want to double-check your symptoms? Search “bed bug bites” on Google for comparison images.
2. Tiny Blood Stains on Your Sheets or Pillowcases
Bed bugs feed on your blood while you sleep, and this sometimes leads to small blood spots left behind on your sheets, pajamas, or pillowcases. These stains may be red or rust-colored and are often found near the edges of your bed.
If you're noticing small spots that weren’t there the night before, don’t ignore them.
3. Dark, Rusty Spots on Mattresses or Furniture
Bed bugs leave behind fecal stains that look like tiny black or brown dots. These can show up on:
Mattress seams
Box springs
Bed frames
Headboards
Nearby furniture (especially upholstered items)
These dark spots are a major red flag and should be checked out right away.
4. Musty or Sweet Odor
A heavy infestation of bed bugs can cause a sweet, musty smell, often compared to overripe berries or damp towels. This scent comes from the bugs’ scent glands and is stronger in enclosed spaces or when the infestation is large.
If you smell something strange and can’t pinpoint the source, it could be time to call a professional.
5. Shed Skins and Shells
Bed bugs go through five life stages and shed their exoskeleton at each one. These casings look like tiny, translucent bugs and are often found in hidden areas like mattress seams, cracks in the wall, or behind headboards.
Seeing these shed skins is a strong indicator that live bugs are nearby.
6. Live Bed Bugs
This one might sound obvious, but spotting an actual bed bug confirms the problem. Adult bed bugs are:
About the size of an apple seed (5-7 mm)
Oval-shaped and flat
Reddish-brown in color
They’re great at hiding, so you’ll need to inspect carefully around your mattress, under furniture, behind picture frames, and inside electrical outlets.
🔍 Want to learn more about bed bug biology and behavior? Check out their full profile on Wikipedia.
7. Eggs and Eggshells
Bed bug eggs are tiny—about 1mm long—white or translucent, and usually laid in clusters. Finding these sticky, pinhead-sized eggs in mattress seams, wall crevices, or baseboards is another sign you're not alone.
Even if you only find eggshells, it’s a clue that bed bugs have hatched and could still be hiding somewhere nearby.
What to Do If You See the Signs
If you notice one or more of the signs above, don’t wait.
✅ Step 1: Confirm the infestation by thoroughly inspecting your sleeping areas and furniture.✅ Step 2: Avoid DIY bug bombs—they often make the problem worse.✅ Step 3: Call a licensed pest control expert like Yikes Pest Control for a professional inspection and treatment plan.
Early detection is key to stopping bed bugs before they spread to other rooms or neighboring homes.
Final Thoughts
Bed bugs are sneaky, but they’re not invisible. Knowing what to look for can help you catch an infestation before it becomes a major issue. From bite marks and stains to strange odors and shed skins, these pests leave behind clues.
If you're still not sure, don’t wait for things to get worse—contact Yikes Pest Control and let trained professionals do a thorough check.
Your sleep (and sanity) are worth it.
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