Bed bugs are terrible pests to deal with. They can bite you and make your nights living hell. The problem that I always have, rather, had, is that I never knew what signs of a bed bug infestation to look for.
By the time I understood, the infestation had already spread. Now, however, I’m better equipped to understand what the early bed bug stains on sheets look like. And I’m about to make your life a whole lot easier! So, keep reading!
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Where, in your bedroom, are you most likely to find bed bugs hiding in places?
Bed bugs can be found in a variety of areas in your bedroom, but they prefer dark, hidden places. They may be hiding in the seams of your mattress, under the bed frame, or behind headboards. You may also find them in nearby furniture, such as chairs and couches.
Bed bugs are often found near bedding materials, as this is where they reside and feast on human blood. Signs of an infestation include bites on the skin, rust-colored stains on sheets, and fecal matter.
If you see any signs of bed bugs- such as brown or black stains on your sheets- it’s time to call a professional for help with bed bug removal.
5 signs of early bed bug stains on sheets!
Bed bugs are becoming an increasingly common problem in homes and hotels. They can be difficult to detect, but there are a few signs that you can look for to determine if you have a bed bug infestation.
If you see any of the following five signs, it is important to take action immediately to get rid of the bed bugs.
A live bed bug
Quite obviously, if you spot a bed bug on your sheets, it’s the earliest sign of a bed bug infestation that is gradually growing.
That said, bed bug colonies can generally be found in secluded, remote areas of a home. Accompanying signs that you may have bed bugs include live bed bugs, eggs, and bed bug stains on sheets.
Although bed bugs are often thought to exclusively live around beds, they will actually settle anywhere that offers them a decent hiding place. This means you can find them in all sorts of places, from behind baseboards to inside electrical outlets.
As a result, it’s important to be vigilant for any signs of bed bugs so you can address the issue as quickly as possible.
Scattered bed bug eggs on your sheets
If you notice roughly one millimeter long, oval pellets on your sheets, you’ve most likely come across bed bug eggs. Now, the presence of bed bug eggs means that the bed bug infestation has had some time to settle and is now increasing the colony.
They can be found scattered all over the place, but are most commonly stuck to hard surfaces such as bed frames, baseboards, or furniture. Bed bug eggs hatch very quickly, usually within seven days of being laid.
This means that if you see any small, white spots on your sheets, it’s important to investigate and determine whether or not they are bed bug eggs.
Shell casings of bed bugs on your sheets
One sure early sign that you have bed bugs is finding their shells on your sheets. Bed bug eggs and exoskeletons are small, oval-shaped objects that are pale in color. They may be difficult to spot, but once you know what to look for, they are easy to identify.
Bed bugs leave their shells behind when they mature. The shells look very similar to unhatched eggs, making it difficult to tell the difference between them and live bed bugs.
The thing to remember is that if you’re beginning to see shells on your sheets, the bed bug infestation has progressed a fair bit, and you should probably call for professional help!
Bite marks on your body when you sleep in your sheets
The fact is that bed bugs are tiny parasitical insects that feed on human blood. Therefore, they often leave behind bite marks on the skin, which can be a sign of an infestation.
If you wake up with small, red welts on your skin, it is likely that you have been bitten by bed bugs. Bed bug bites look like small mosquito bites and can be found all over your body. Do not scratch them because it will open the wound and increase the risk of infection.
Bed bug droppings or poop stains on your sheets
Bed bug feces look like small, dark spots that may be scattered around your sheets or clothing. They are about the size of a poppy seed and can be difficult to see.
Bed bugs excrete digested human blood, which leaves behind brownish-red stains on sheets. These stains can be a giveaway for early bed bug infestation before the bugs become visible to the naked eye.
In addition, these stains have a slightly ‘rusted’ smell that is characteristic of bed bugs.
2 signs that a bed bug infestation has already settled in your sheets
The above signs are typically found at a stage when the bed bug infestation is still in its nascent stage. However, if you notice the below signs, you probably have a larger infestation in your sheets.
A musty scent from your sheets and in your room
One of the telltale signs of bed bug infestations is their musty odor. This smell will be especially strong in your room and on your sheets if there are bed bugs present.
If you notice a musty smell, it is important to inspect your bedding and furniture for any signs of bed bugs.
Blood stains on your sheets
Bed bug bites can often result in blood stains on sheets. In addition, human bleedings may also cause these types of stains.
But, the thing is that bed bugs will only leave blood stains on your sheets if they are plentiful in number and you happened to disturb them while they were trying to feed on your blood!
If you notice any blood stains on your sheets, it is best to seek professional help immediately.
How to remove the stains that bed bugs on your sheets?
As I’ve said, bed bugs leave typically two types of stains on your sheets. The first is poop stains, and the second is blood stains. Now, these stains can be difficult to remove, but with the right enzyme-based laundry cleaner, you can get them out.
You can try to remove the stains by using a damp cloth, but you should also turn your dryer’s heat up to the highest setting possible. The high heat will help kill any bed bugs that might be on your sheets, while also unsettling the stains.
Is it possible to crush bed bugs?
Bed bugs are a slow-moving insect and as such, they can be difficult to detect. They often go unnoticed for long periods of time, but if you do notice them, you will certainly find it possible to crush the pests.
In other words, bed bugs are very sluggish creatures and they can’t go any faster than a crawl. Additionally, their bodies aren’t built for jumping or flight, so they’re not very good at escaping.
Although it is possible to crush bed bugs, doing so can be very dangerous. If the bugs are crushed and their blood spills out, it will attract other pests that could potentially infest your home.
What are the early signs of bites left by bed bugs in your sheets?
Bed bugs typically feed on humans at night, so if you notice bites early in the morning, it’s likely that they were left by bed bugs.
Additionally, bed bug stains can be an accompanying indication of an infestation. These stains are often dark and appear as either blood or fecal matter. If you see any evidence of bed bugs in your sheets, it’s important to address the issue immediately.
That said, bed bug bites can be identified by their mildly swollen appearance and the presence of extreme itchiness and a rash around the bite. You should, ideally, avoid itching these bites.
The reason is twofold – your itchiness will continue to increase, and, you could make the bite vulnerable to an infection!
What are the signs of bedbug infestation on your couch and other furniture in the early stages of an infestation?
In the early stages of an infestation, bed bugs often hide in crevices and between the seams of furniture. If you are seeing any of the following signs, it is possible that you have a bed bug infestation:
– Dark spots or stains on sheets and mattresses
– Blood smears on bedding and couch cushions
– Molted bed bug skins
– Bed bug fecal matter
Conclusion
Just to recap, the early signs of bed bugs are live bed bugs, scattered bed bug eggs, shells of bed bug eggs and their own exoskeletons, bite marks on your skin, and of course, the most disgusting of all, bed bug poop stains on your sheets! Watch out for these signs so that you can take action as soon as you spot them!
