Bed experts share five ‘early’ signs you have bed bugs in your bedroom

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Bed bugs can be difficult to spot, causing them to become a nuisance should an infestation ever arise. 

However, with cases rising and warm beds an inviting spot for them, experts have shared signs to look for which could indicate they are present.

1. Unusual smell

The experts at Bed Kingdom explained: “One of the early signs of bed bugs is a strange, musty scent lingering in your bedroom and mattress, despite there being no clear cause of it being there, such as a dirty pile of clothes. 

“When bed bugs feel threatened, they emit what is called alarm pheromones which have a faint smell of raspberries, cilantro, or almonds.

“In severe bed bug cases, this smell will be mixed with the odour of dead bugs and shed cell casings which creates a rusty scent.”

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2. Bites

If Britons wake up with red, itchy bites on their skin, this could be an indication of bed bugs as they typically feed during the night.

The pests tend to go for arms, hands and legs and will appear in small clusters, but may show up as single bites too. 

The experts said: “These bites are not usually dangerous, but some people can be allergic – so if you experience extreme itchiness, swelling, blisters, or a fever it’s crucial to seek help from a medical professional.”

3. Blood stains

The bed experts continued: “Once a bed bug is finished feeding itself, the blood can leak out if you squash them during your sleep by sudden movements like rolling over.

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“If you notice any small splotches of blood on your bed sheets or clothing, check for anything on your body first that could be the cause, like a scab. 

“If there’s no visible cause of the blood, it’s likely that these stains occurred from bedbugs.”

4. Eggs

Bed bug eggs can be hard to spot, with most measuring just 1mm long. However, pay attention to bedding as they look like small grains of rice.

They can be stuck to different types of materials, but will typically stick to mattress seams and joints or behind headboards, according to the pros.

5. Shell casings

Bed bugs shed several times during different lifecycle stages, meaning their shell casings come in different sizes.

However, they can be a great indication of an infestation, whether in its early or late stages.

The bed pros said: “You can spot them by their yellow, translucent appearance in the seams, folds, and crevices of mattresses, or even other areas such as cracks in walls and furniture.”

If the infestation gets large enough, Britons may be able to see the pests more visibly.

To avoid a bed bug infestation, reduce clutter in the bedroom as well as regularly wash bedding, cushions, blankets and soft furnishings at a high temperature.

It is also important to vacuum bedrooms, including the headboard and mattress.

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