Description

• According to the University of Kentucky Entomology Department, most people have not seen bedbugs and may not recognize them (see References below). Adult bedbugs are about 3/16th of an inch long and have flat looking, oval bodies. They are a red-brown color and do not fly, though they can move quickly. Female bedbugs lay one to two tiny, white eggs per day, so their population grows exponentially. After they hatch, bedbugs shed their skin about five times until they reach adulthood. After molting, they are a lighter, almost white color. They are resilient and can live for more than a year without feeding.
  
  

Skin Irritation

• Wheals, or raised itchy areas of skin, are one of the prime indicators you have bedbugs, according to the Mayo Clinic (see References below). A wheal is the result of the bug's bite and is actually an allergic reaction. In addition, you may experience blister-like skin inflammations; groups of small, pus-filled sacs; or hive-like rashes. Usually, the bites are clustered together as the bedbug moves and feeds. If there are many bedbugs, you may have several areas of skin irritation.
  
  

Bedding

• If you have bedbugs, you should check your bedding for signs. They create a lot of waste when they molt, and they can leave dark spots on your mattress from blood and excrement. Bedbugs are commonly found in mattresses, box springs and bed sheets. One way to check if you have them is to adhere double-sided carpet tape to the side of your mattress and see if there are any bugs stuck to it in the morning.
  
  

Visual Inspection

• If the infestation is bad enough, a visual inspection may allow you to see them moving around. They have been described as "mini-cockroaches" because of their speed and love of dark places. Look for them at night because they are most active then. If you see anything moving in or around your mattress and sheets, and you have other symptoms such as unexplained skin rashes, you should consider bedbugs as a possible culprit. Once the infestation has spread, bedbugs can live in sofas, curtains and even under carpets.
  
  

Treatment

• Bedbugs can hitchhike into your home on luggage, used furniture or even your clothes. They are a particular concern for those who frequently use hotels and motels. Once these bugs are in your home or apartment, they can travel to other rooms or locations easily (see References below).
  
  Before taking action, have your bedbug infestation confirmed by a reliable expert. Other bugs look similar, and other causes of skin irritations exist beyond insects. While you can attempt to treat your mattress by wrapping it in special plastic protectors, it may be easier to discard any infested beds or furniture.
  
  Because bedbugs are difficult to completely eliminate on your own, entomologists at the University of Kentucky (see References below) advise that you consider using a professional pest control service to eradicate them.