If the thought of finding bed bugs in your home scares you (and it should), then you should check your home from time to time, even when nothing suspicious is happening.
Knowing the very first signs can help to deal with the problem earlier, and sometimes it is the only way to completely get rid of these insects, ADVICE.NEWS reports.
For this reason, it is worth paying close attention to the following signs.
Look for bites
Bed bugs typically bite exposed parts of the body while you sleep, leaving behind itchy red spots.
But since bites can be confused with marks left by other insects, you need to pay attention to other signs to know for sure about bed bugs.
Small blood stains on bed linen
After biting, these bugs may leave small red or brown stains on your bedding.
They may look like ink spots or small dots.
Musty smell
In severe cases, bed bugs emit a distinct, sweet, musty odor.
This scent is often described as reminiscent of raspberries or almonds.
If you notice an unusual odor in your bedroom or throughout your home, it could be a sign of a serious bed bug problem.
The bed bugs themselves
Sometimes you may find live bed bugs crawling on your mattress, headboard, or other furniture.
Adult bed bugs are usually about the size of an apple seed, reddish-brown, and have a flat, oval body.
Nymphs (young bugs) are usually smaller in size and lighter in color.
