Quick answer: how can you tell if you have bed bugs?
You can tell if you have bed bugs by looking for physical evidence, not just bites. The most reliable signs are live bed bugs, eggs, cast skins, black faecal spots, blood marks on bedding, and activity around mattress seams, headboards, bed frames, sofas or skirting boards.
Bites can be a clue, but they are not proof. Bed bug bites can look like flea bites, mosquito bites, scabies, mites, carpet beetle irritation or an allergic rash. Some people do not react to bed bug bites at all, which means one person may show marks while another person sleeping in the same bed appears unaffected.
The best first step is to inspect the bed and nearby furniture carefully, take photos of anything suspicious, and avoid moving loose bedding or clothing around the property. If you find insects, eggs, black spots or cast skins, call 020 3369 6965 or send photos through Bon Accord Pest Control’s contact page.
The evidence score: what proves bed bugs and what only suggests them
When clients call about bed bugs, the first question should not be “do you have bites?” The better question is: what evidence have you found? Bites matter, but visible evidence is far stronger. Use the evidence score below to decide whether you should keep inspecting, send photos, or book a professional inspection.
Why bites alone are not enough
Many people first suspect bed bugs because they wake up with itchy marks. That is understandable, but bites alone are not reliable proof. Different people react differently. Some people develop red, itchy bumps. Some people react days later. Some people show no marks at all.
Bed bug bites can also look similar to flea bites, mosquito bites, mite irritation, scabies, carpet beetle irritation, eczema, heat rash, allergic reactions or contact dermatitis. The safest approach is to treat bites as a reason to inspect, not as a diagnosis.
Important rule: bites suggest you should check the room, but physical evidence confirms the problem.
Why am I bitten but my partner is not?
This is one of the most common bed bug questions. It does not always mean bed bugs are choosing one person. It often means one person is reacting visibly and the other person is not. Two people can sleep in the same bed and have very different skin reactions.
Some people get itchy red marks. Some develop delayed reactions. Some barely react. Others may be bitten but show no obvious marks. This is why Bon Accord recommends looking for evidence in the bed, frame and surrounding furniture rather than judging the problem only by who has visible bites.
What do live bed bugs look like?
Adult bed bugs are small, flat, oval insects. They are usually reddish-brown and roughly the size of an apple seed when fully grown. After feeding, they can look darker, rounder and more swollen. Young nymphs are smaller and paler, which makes them harder to see on light bedding and pale furniture.
Bed bugs do not jump and they do not fly. They crawl and hide. If an insect jumps, fleas may be more likely. If it flies, it is not a bed bug.
What do bed bug eggs look like?
Bed bug eggs are tiny, pale or pearl-white and often glued into protected cracks and seams. They can be difficult to see without a torch or magnifier. Eggs matter because they show the infestation can continue if treatment does not reach them.
Common egg locations include mattress seams, bed frame joints, screw holes, headboard gaps, divan bases, bedside furniture, sofa seams, luggage seams and skirting gaps close to sleeping areas.
What are black bed bug spots?
Black spots are usually bed bug faecal marks. They can look like tiny ink dots, dark smears or pepper-like marks on fabric, wood or walls. On fabric, the marks may soak in slightly rather than sitting loosely like dust.
Check mattress seams, pillowcases, sheet edges, headboards, bed frame joints, divan bases, skirting boards, bedside furniture, sofa seams and curtain folds. Black spotting near a sleeping or resting area is strong evidence and should be photographed before cleaning.
What are cast skins?
As bed bugs grow, they shed their outer skin. These empty skins are called cast skins or shed skins. They may look like pale yellow-brown, dry, papery insect shells.
Cast skins are strong evidence because they show bed bugs have been developing in that area. You may find them near mattress seams, bed frame joints, headboards, sofas and skirting gaps.
Blood marks on sheets: useful clue, not proof
Small blood marks on sheets, pillowcases or pyjamas can happen when a bed bug is disturbed or crushed after feeding. These marks can support suspicion, especially if seen with bites or black spotting, but blood marks alone are not enough to confirm bed bugs.
Take photos and continue inspecting for live insects, eggs, cast skins and faecal spots.
Step-by-step room inspection checklist
- Prepare your tools: use a torch, phone camera, gloves, sealable bags and a crevice tool for vacuuming if needed.
- Start with the mattress: check seams, labels, piping, handles, buttons and the underside.
- Inspect the headboard: check the back, edges, screw holes, fabric folds and wall gaps.
- Check the bed frame: inspect slats, joints, screw holes, castors, legs, divan fabric and under-bed drawers.
- Open bedside furniture: remove drawers and inspect corners, joints, back panels and screw holes.
- Check skirting and sockets: look at the floor-wall junction, cracks, loose wallpaper and nearby sockets without touching electrics.
- Inspect sofas and chairs: if anyone naps or sleeps there, check seams, cushions, zips, underside and frame.
- Check curtains and soft furnishings: especially folds, hems and areas close to beds or sofas.
- Inspect luggage and wardrobes: check suitcase seams, zips, laundry bags, clothing piles and storage near the bed.
- Look beyond one room: check adjoining bedrooms, sofa beds and rooms where people sleep or rest.
Early infestation vs established infestation
Understanding the stage of the problem helps decide how urgent the response should be. A very early introduction may show only limited evidence, while an established infestation often has multiple signs in several hiding places.
What if you only have bites but no evidence?
If you only have bites and cannot find any bed bug evidence, do not panic and do not book treatment based only on marks on the skin. Keep inspecting, take photos, and consider other possible causes such as fleas, mosquitoes, scabies, mites, carpet beetle irritation or allergic reactions.
Look carefully for physical signs for several nights. Check the bed, headboard, bed frame, skirting boards, sofa and luggage. If the bites continue after sleeping and you still cannot find evidence, a professional inspection may be worthwhile.
If the skin reaction is severe, spreading, infected, or you are unsure what is causing it, speak to a pharmacist or GP. Pest control can identify and treat bed bugs in the property, but it cannot diagnose medical skin conditions.
Bed bugs after travel: luggage and hotel checks
If symptoms started after a hotel stay, holiday, business trip, hostel, short-let apartment or overnight guest, check luggage carefully before bringing it into bedrooms.
Inspect suitcase seams, zips, wheels, handles, pockets, linings, backpacks, laundry bags and folded clothes. Do not place luggage on the bed while checking. Use a hard floor, bath or clear area where possible, then bag clothing for washing and high-heat drying where the fabric allows.
What to do in the first 24 hours
- Take clear photos of any insects, eggs, cast skins, black spots or blood marks.
- Do not throw the mattress away before inspection.
- Do not sleep in another room unless professionally advised.
- Do not move loose bedding or clothing through the property.
- Bag laundry before moving it.
- Wash suitable items at 60°C and tumble dry on high heat where fabric allows.
- Do not use smoke bombs as your only treatment.
- Vacuum visible evidence carefully if safe, then seal and dispose of the contents.
- Keep clean laundry sealed until treatment advice is confirmed.
- Send photos through /contact-us/ or call 020 3369 6965.
Photos to send Bon Accord for identification
Good photos can save time and help confirm whether the issue is likely to be bed bugs or another insect. Send:
- a close-up of the insect beside a coin, ruler or finger for scale
- photos of mattress seams, labels and piping
- the back and edges of the headboard
- bed frame joints, screw holes and slats
- black spots, cast skins or eggs if found
- sofa seams or luggage seams if relevant
- a wider room photo showing the bed, sofa or affected area
Send photos through /contact-us/ and explain when the signs appeared, whether there has been recent travel, and whether bites or sightings are limited to one room.
Bed bugs vs fleas, carpet beetles, scabies and mosquitoes
Many clients are convinced they have bed bugs because they have itchy marks. Sometimes they are right, but not always. Correct identification matters because the treatment for bed bugs is different from fleas, carpet beetles, scabies or mosquitoes.
Fleas jump and are often linked to pets, carpets, pet bedding or previous pet activity. Carpet beetle larvae can cause irritation from their hairs and are often linked to wool, rugs, wardrobes and stored fabrics. Scabies is a medical skin condition that needs healthcare advice, not pest treatment. Mosquitoes fly and bite exposed skin, often after windows are open.
How to tell if bed bugs are in a London flat
London flats can be more complicated than single houses because people share walls, corridors, storage areas and sometimes laundry facilities. Bed bugs can also be moved between rooms in luggage, bedding, furniture and clothing.
In flats, check all bedrooms, sofa beds, living-room sofas, shared sleeping areas, adjoining rooms, skirting gaps, luggage storage, wardrobes, under-bed drawers and any furniture recently moved from another property.
Tenants should photograph evidence and report it early. Landlords and managing agents should avoid delays where there is confirmed evidence, because bed bug activity can spread and become harder to resolve.
Hotels, serviced apartments and short-let properties
For hotels, serviced apartments and short-let properties, bed bug identification needs to be fast, discreet and evidence-led. A guest may report bites, but the room still needs a proper inspection before conclusions are made.
Check the bed, headboard, skirting, sofa, luggage rack, bedside furniture and adjoining rooms where appropriate. Linen should be bagged and handled carefully. Staff should be trained to recognise live bugs, black spots, eggs and cast skins rather than relying only on bite complaints.
When should you call pest control?
Call professional pest control if you find live bed bugs, eggs, cast skins, black spotting, repeated activity in the bed area, signs in more than one room, or if bites continue and you cannot find the source.
Bon Accord Pest Control can inspect, identify evidence, advise on preparation and provide professional bed bug treatment in London homes, flats, HMOs, hotels and serviced apartments. Call 020 3369 6965 or send photos through /contact-us/.
Related bed bug guides
FAQ: How to tell if you have bed bugs
What is the first sign of bed bugs?
The first sign may be bites, blood marks, black spots, cast skins or a live insect. Bites alone are not reliable proof, so inspect mattress seams, headboards, bed frames and nearby furniture.
Can you have bed bugs without seeing them?
Yes. Bed bugs hide in cracks, seams and furniture joints. Early infestations can be difficult to find, especially if there are only a few insects.
Are bites enough to confirm bed bugs?
No. Bites can be caused by several insects or skin conditions. Physical evidence such as live bed bugs, eggs, cast skins or black spots is much stronger.
Why am I bitten but my partner is not?
One person may react visibly while another person does not. It does not prove only one person is being bitten. Different people have different skin reactions.
What do bed bug eggs look like?
Bed bug eggs are tiny, pale or pearl-white and often glued into seams, cracks and joints near beds or resting areas.
What do black bed bug spots look like?
They look like tiny black ink dots, dark smears or pepper-like marks on fabric, wood, skirting boards or headboards.
What are bed bug cast skins?
Cast skins are pale, empty insect shells left behind as bed bugs grow and moult. They are strong evidence of bed bug development.
Do bed bugs jump or fly?
No. Bed bugs crawl. If the insect jumps, it may be a flea. If it flies, it is not a bed bug.
Can bed bugs live in a clean home?
Yes. Bed bugs are not caused by poor hygiene. They can be introduced through luggage, visitors, second-hand furniture or neighbouring activity.
Where should I inspect first?
Start with mattress seams, labels, piping, headboard, bed frame joints, bedside furniture, skirting gaps and sofas where people sleep or rest.
What if I only have bites but no evidence?
Keep inspecting, take photos, consider other causes and seek professional inspection if bites continue after sleeping. For severe or unusual skin reactions, speak to a healthcare professional.
Should I throw my mattress away?
Not automatically. Many mattresses can be treated, encased and monitored. Throwing furniture away without wrapping can spread bed bugs.
Should I sleep in another room?
Usually no. Moving rooms can spread bed bugs because they may follow the sleeping host or be carried on bedding and clothing.
Can bed bugs hide in sofas?
Yes. Bed bugs can hide in sofa seams, cushion folds and frames, especially if someone naps or sleeps on the sofa.
Can Bon Accord identify bed bugs from photos?
Yes. Send clear photos of insects, eggs, stains or cast skins through /contact-us/, or call 020 3369 6965 for advice.
