BEDBUG INFESTATION: A QUICK OVERVIEW
Last reviewed: April 2026
Bedbugs often bite in a pattern, as with this woman’s belly.
Bedbug bites are one of the most common things people mistake for spider bites. Both can leave red, swollen welts, and since bedbugs bite at night while you are sleeping, you rarely catch them in the act. If you woke up with bites and are not sure what caused them, it is worth ruling out bedbugs before assuming a spider was involved.
Bedbugs are small, flat, and reddish-brown, about 4 to 5 millimeters long. They hide well, avoid light, and feed on warm-blooded animals including humans. They inject a numbing solution before feeding, so most people feel nothing while it happens. If you move in your sleep, the bug moves with you and bites again nearby, which is why bedbug bites typically appear in lines or clusters rather than as a single isolated welt.
Identifying bedbug infestations
Bedbugs are hard to spot because they are small and stay hidden. Finding them early matters because infestations grow fast. Look for small black or brown droppings that resemble marker stains, shed skins, and tiny white eggs near bedding, furniture seams, and other areas close to where you sleep.
Look at these pictures of bed bug infestations to help you find or confirm an infestation.
The Five Stages of a Bedbug’s Lifecycle
Bedbugs go through five nymph stages before reaching adulthood. They need a blood meal to molt and advance through each stage. Depending on temperature and food availability, this process takes roughly 4 to 6 weeks.
Reproduction and growth
A single female bedbug can lay hundreds of eggs over her lifetime. Each egg is about 1 millimeter long and typically hatches within 6 to 10 days. Newly hatched nymphs begin looking for a blood meal almost immediately.
SIGNS OF A BEDBUG INFESTATION
An adult bedbug is shown crawling on a white napkin.
Physical evidence
The most reliable sign of an infestation is the bugs themselves, dead or alive. Carefully inspect your mattress, bed frame, and surrounding areas for tiny, flat, reddish-brown insects.
Bites and skin reactions
Bedbug bites often appear as small, red, itchy welts in a line or cluster. This pattern is one of the clues that can help separate bedbug bites from spider bites, which are usually single, isolated marks. Keep in mind that not everyone reacts to bedbug bites, so the absence of welts does not rule out an infestation.
Unpleasant odor
In severe infestations, bedbugs can produce a musty odor that is sometimes compared to damp or moldy clothing. This comes from the bugs’ scent glands and is more noticeable when large numbers are present.
HOW BEDBUGS SPREAD
Travel and Transportation
Travel is the most common way bedbugs get from one place to another. They hitch rides on luggage, clothing, and personal belongings. Inspecting your accommodations and checking your bags before you bring them home is the most practical way to reduce the risk.
Second-hand items
Used furniture and clothing can introduce bedbugs into a home. Inspect and clean any second-hand items before bringing them inside, particularly if they have been in storage or came from a home with a known infestation.
Shared living spaces
Bedbugs move easily between rooms or units in apartments, dormitories, and hotels. Good communication between residents and building management, along with prompt action when bugs are found, helps prevent them from spreading further.
PREVENTING BEDBUG INFESTATIONS
Regular inspections
Check your mattress, bed frame, and surrounding areas on a regular basis. Be especially thorough after traveling or bringing secondhand items into your home.
Protecting your home
Mattress and box spring encasements create a barrier that makes it harder for bedbugs to establish themselves. Sealing cracks and crevices in walls and furniture removes hiding spots.
Safe travel practices
When staying away from home, inspect the mattress and bed frame before settling in. Keep luggage on a rack rather than the floor, store clothing in sealed bags, and wash everything when you get back.
HOW TO GET RID OF BEDBUGS
DIY treatments
Diatomaceous Earth is a commonly used DIY option. Over-the-counter sprays and bombs can cause bedbugs to scatter, which can make an infestation harder to control if the treatment is not done correctly. Vacuuming, laundering, and steam cleaning can reduce numbers but are unlikely to eliminate an infestation on their own.
Check out these step-by-step instructions on how to get rid of bed bugs and possibly save yourself thousands of dollars!
Professional extermination
A professional exterminator brings experience and tools that most homeowners do not have. The process requires preparation on your end, including washing, packing, and moving items, but a good exterminator can get the job done thoroughly when both sides put in the effort.
Post-treatment precautions
After treatment, keep inspecting regularly. Maintain your encasements, seal any cracks you find, and stay alert for signs of re-infestation. The work does not stop on treatment day.
Bedbug infestations are frustrating and take real persistence to eliminate. Early detection makes everything easier. The sooner you identify the problem, the fewer options the bugs have to multiply and spread.
Many exterminators will tell you that DIY home treatment does not work, but that is not true. The reason most home treatments fail is not sticking with the plan. It is a long process, but you can do it yourself if you follow through.