To find bed bugs, you need to know what to look for, and if you want to find them before they run amok and become a serious problem, you may want to have some bed bug detection tools and some detective skills on hand. .

First, it’s a good idea to know where bed bugs reside. Since they hide when there isn’t a host to nibble on, unless they’re in bed sleeping peacefully, they probably won’t be in bed either. You have to know where to look and what to look for if you want to find them early. If you walk into the bedroom and see them running for cover, then you already have a very serious problem.

Bed bugs’ favorite hiding places are cracks, seams, or crevices near their next meal. In hotels, headboards are often attached to the wall and that’s probably the number one place for pesky nocturnal pests to hide. The next favorite is the bed itself, be it in the seams and folds of the mattress, anywhere in the box spring, and between the mattress and box spring. They will also hide in dresser drawers and wood seams, behind electrical outlet covers, under stools, nightstands, and in other furniture such as the sofa or armchair.

For an initial inspection, you will need a strong flashlight. Look closely at any area that might harbor one of these creatures. Look for dark spots that could be bug droppings. Look for small white eggs about the size of the head of a pin and they are usually found in clusters. Also look closely for rust or blood-colored stains on bedding, mattresses, and other items that could be signs of broken bugs after they’ve eaten. Check yourself too, looking for bites that might look similar to mosquito bites or could be as large as a quarter if you’re allergic.

If you think you have bites but can’t find any bugs, you may want to get “bed bug cups.” They are glasses with a small heat source in the center, and filled with a sticky substance, for pests to climb on and get stuck. These are great for hiding under beds or tables where they can’t be seen by company. Check them daily, as these could be your first sign of a bed bug problem.

You can also get “climbing cups”. These cups are placed under the legs of the bed and the walls are lined with talcum powder. The bugs climb up the outside to get to you and fall into the pit. The talc makes the walls of the cup slippery so they can’t get out. Additionally, you can get carbon dioxide-powered traps that mimic respiration and have a heat source to lure pests inside, where they die.

These are all methods of detecting a bed bug infestation. I recommend prevention as an important part of controlling an outbreak. If you’ve implemented one or more of these measures and regularly check for signs of an early infestation, you can quickly get rid of them before they become a problem. Pest control companies have reported a whopping 81% increase in bed bug-related calls since 2000. There’s a good chance you could be dealing with this problem soon. To be prepared.