Bed bugs are nasty pests that feed on blood. According to the EPA, these insects can cause potentially serious health issues. If you suspect that there are bed bugs in your home, early detection is vital to help prevent infestations and to keep the problem from getting worse. Our guide is here to educate you about how to detect bed bug stains on sheets as early as possible so you can address the problem quickly. From their habits and common hiding places to early signs of a bed bug infestation, read on to discover how you can see early bed bug stains on sheets for a safer, cleaner home.
Adult bed bugs are approximately 5 to 7 millimeters long, about the size of an apple seed. Bed bugs that have not fed recently tend to have oval-shaped, flat bodies and are reddish brown. If they were recently fed, they take on a reddish-brown color and have a round, swollen appearance. Sometimes, these tiny insects create an odd musty-sweet odor that people might detect before they ever see live bed bugs in person. This odd odor is one of the earliest signs of bed bugs. Young bed bugs are smaller than adults and are whitish or transparent.
Since bed bugs are nocturnal insects, they tend to hide during the day, and then come out later at night. Most of the time, these nasty pests are most active between midnight and around 5:00 a.m. which is why the bed bug bites people and animals mostly at night. Many homeowners don’t know they have a bed bug problem because bed bugs hide together in small cracks and dark crevices where they can’t be disturbed or seen by the naked eye. Then when you’re sleeping, they usually come out of hiding to feed. Not only do these insects like to hide in cracks or between your mattresses or drawer joints, but they also prefer to live on paper, wood, stone, metal, plaster, and fabric. They may even hide in electrical outlets and wall hangings.
Not everyone knows that they’ve been bitten by bed bugs, but some people can get allergic reactions from these insect bites that range from mild to severe. The EPA considers them a public health nuisance since they feed on human blood. Here are some signs and symptoms to look for if you think you’ve been bitten by bed bugs:
It’s vital to recognize the early signs of a bed bug infestation so you can contact a local pest control company right away to avoid a full-blown infestation. Since these bugs like to hide in box springs, mattress seams, and the bed frame or box spring, blood stains on your bed sheets is one of the early warning signs that you have a bed bug problem.
So, what do bed bug stains look like? You may notice odd brown stains on sheets, rust-colored stains, or reddish stains. These bed bug marks on sheets are an indication that you have a problem, and potentially, a major infestation of these nasty blood-sucking pests. Not all bed bug spots on sheets are dark stains. You might notice pearly white marks on your sheets which could be the bed bug eggs they left behind. If you see something whitish or yellow, it may be from the nymphs that have shed skins on your bed and bedding. These stains may also appear on upholstered furniture, so keep an eye out for them there, too.
It’s vital to conduct regular inspections to ensure that you don’t have a bed bug problem. Look in the spaces between your mattress and box spring, in the cracks of bed frames and furniture, and on the bedding itself. When in doubt, you can also pay a pest control company to perform professional monthly inspections, just to be safe. By doing these inspections regularly, you can detect them early and keep the problem from getting worse.
What do bed bug stains look like on sheets? They’re usually dark brown or they may look like black stains on sheets that resemble ink smudges, which is an early sign of a possible infestation. Bed bug stains on pillow cases are also common. Bed bug excrement contains iron, which eventually oxidates and may also emit a strong rusty smell.
Spotting early bed bug stains on sheets is important, however, not all stains on your bedding are a warning sign that you need to get on the phone with pest control. Here’s how you can identify if the stains you see are caused by these nasty reddish-brown insects.
Crushed bed bug feces look dark in color and are usually dark brown or black. Bed bug fecal spots are usually between one to two millimeters in diameter, approximately the size of a small pinhead so they’re tough to see if you’re not looking for them. Keep in mind that the exact color might vary depending on what the bed bugs are eating and how old the droppings are. Fresh bed bug droppings on sheets are usually darker in color and tend to have a moist or liquid-like look and feel to them.
Early bed bug stains might resemble other stains, so it’s important to be able to distinguish between them. Most bed bug stains look like small mold spots or like you accidentally dropped some food or drink on your sheets. Most of the time, small brown stains on bed sheets from these pests are blotchy and smeared, rather than being solid or with clean edges. You may also notice pale yellow skins as the bugs go through their life stages, or tiny white eggshells and a strong, musty odor.
What do bed bugs look like on white sheets? They’re usually darker than they appear on darker-colored sheets, but it’s also crucial to know how to detect these stains, no matter what color your sheets are.
Here’s how to perform a thorough inspection of your sheets to detect bed bug poop on sheets and other early signs of bed bugs.
Now that you know how to identify early bed bug stains on sheets and what bed bugs leave behind, here are some important prevention and treatment strategies.
Remove clutter from your bedroom, since these bugs love to use clutter as hiding spaces. Vacuuming regularly under the bed and around the furniture legs can also help – just make sure you empty the vacuum bag or canister after each use. Don’t leave wet towels on the floor and wash your bedding often or use a steam cleaner for extra sanitation. Don’t let your bedding touch the floor if you can avoid it. You can also use mattress covers and seal all cracks and crevices throughout your home.
If you find bed bugs in your home or notice stains, it’s crucial to clean the bedding thoroughly to remove bed bug stains and contact a professional pest control company right away. These experts know how to kill bed bugs permanently. If you want to salvage your favorite bedding, use a stain remover, then soak everything in cold water for 30 minutes before washing and drying everything thoroughly. You might have to throw your bedding out if the infestation is too bad.
Professional pest control can detect and kill these biting insects to prevent a re-infestation using special pesticides and techniques. As for DIY treatments, only use EPA-registered products that clearly state they work on bed bugs on the label. Washing your sheets won’t always kill these bugs for good. If you’re sure you have bed bugs, it’s usually advised that you throw everything away and place it in sealed plastic bags outside. However, if you have white sheets, bleaching them may remove bed bug stains.
Knowing the signs of early bed bug stains on sheets is crucial to keep yourself and your family safe. These proactive measures help with early detection so you can prevent the problem from getting worse. Stay vigilant in monitoring your home and your bedding so you can detect bed bug stains on sheets fast.
