How Do You Check Your Mattress for Bed Bugs?

What Are the Signs of Bed Bugs’ Presence in Your Bedding?

Look for small blood spots on sheets, dark marks around seams, shed skins or live insects. If you notice itchy marks but find no physical evidence, keep checking before deciding that bed bugs are responsible.

How to Check for Signs of Bed Bugs on a Mattress?

• Lift the bedding slowly and use a torch to check the piping, seams, folds and label.
• Check the underside of the mattress, the bed base and the joints where the frame meets the headboard.
• Look at skirting boards and nearby furniture, especially the areas closest to the bed.
• Take a clear photo of any insect or signs and note exactly where you found them.

What Do Bed Bugs Look Like on a Mattress?

The signs of bed bugs on a mattress can take many forms, from stains to excreta and more. The insects themselves can appear differently according to their life stage.

Let’s take a look at what these insects and their signs might look like on a mattress:

• You may find tiny dark spots on the surface of the mattress, which are bed bugs’ excreta. They’re usually near the insects’ hiding places.
• You may find blood stains on the mattress from bed bugs.
• You might see tiny yellows skin sheds or white eggshells.
• You will find the insects themselves, which are oval and reddish-brown about the size of an apple seed.

What to Do with an Infested Mattress with Bed Bugs?

Keep the mattress in place while you seek advice. Moving it through the property or to another room can carry bed bugs with it. If you need to dispose of it, ask how to contain it before moving it.

Why Treating the Mattress Alone Can Miss Bed Bugs

Bed bugs can hide in the bed frame, headboard and nearby furniture. Applying steam only to the mattress can miss insects and eggs elsewhere. Share the locations where you found evidence and tell us if you have already used any products. Our bed bug treatment in London page explains the whole-property options and preparation.

When to Ask for Help

If you find signs around the bed, take a clear photo and send us your postcode and property details. If your concern is a persistent or worrying skin reaction, see the NHS advice on bedbugs or speak to a pharmacist.