Bed bugs: identification, bites and what to do
How to spot bed bugs, what they do, and the safe first steps before professional treatment.
Bed bugs are small, biting insects that live near where people sleep. They are a nuisance, they spread easily, and they are hard to remove without help. The good news is that they are not a sign of a dirty home, and there are clear steps to take.
What do bed bugs look like?
Adult bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed or a lentil: oval, flat and reddish-brown. After feeding, they look rounder and darker. Young bed bugs (nymphs) are smaller and paler. Newly hatched ones are straw-coloured and about the size of a pinhead. Eggs are whitish and about the size of a speck of dust, so they are hard to see.
How do I know if I have bed bugs or something else?
Carpet beetles, fleas and other small insects can look similar. A bug that is flat, oval, wingless and found near a bed is a good candidate. Keep a sample in a sealed container or take a clear photo. Public health units such as Peel advise calling them if you are unsure what the insect is.
Our guide to the signs of bed bugs has a step-by-step way to check.
Signs you have bed bugs
- Dark spots or stains on sheets, mattresses and bed frames
- Shed skins that look like pale shells
- Live or dead bugs along mattress seams and headboards
- Itchy red bites, often on skin that is uncovered at night
Not everyone reacts to bites, so a lack of bites does not mean a lack of bed bugs.
How serious are bed bugs?
Toronto Public Health does not consider bed bugs a health hazard. Peel, Halton and Waterloo public health units also treat them as a nuisance rather than a carrier of disease. The concerns are the ones that come with the bites: itching, skin infection from scratching, allergic reactions, and the stress and poor sleep that an infestation can cause.
How long can bed bugs live without feeding?
Longer than most people expect. University of Kentucky entomologists report that bed bugs can go months without a meal. In heated buildings, that is typically one to four months. In cool conditions they can survive for up to a year or longer. Leaving a room empty will not solve it.
Can bed bugs live in clean homes?
Yes. They feed on blood, not dirt. Clutter gives them more places to hide, but clean and tidy homes get bed bugs too.
How do bed bugs spread?
They travel on luggage, clothing, bags and used furniture. They also move between neighbouring units through gaps in walls and pipes. That is why apartments, condos, dorms, hotels and shared housing see more cases. In Ontario, they can show up at any time of year, since they live indoors.
Health Canada’s travel tip is simple: inspect hotel rooms, keep luggage off the floor and bed, and check second-hand furniture before you bring it inside.
What to do now, and what not to do
Do:
- Wash bedding and clothing in hot water and dry on high heat.
- Vacuum, then seal the bag and put it in an outdoor bin.
- Leave furniture where it is, unless you are told to move it.
- Tell your landlord in writing if you rent.
Do not:
- Use foggers or bug bombs. They can scatter bugs into other rooms.
- Throw out your mattress in a panic. A new one will become infested too if the bugs are still there.
- Use a pesticide that does not have a PCP number on the label.
- Move items between rooms or sleep elsewhere in the home. That can spread them.
How does professional treatment work?
Health Canada recommends a licensed pest control operator for bed bugs. Our process has four steps:
- Inspect the bed, furniture and nearby areas.
- Identify that the problem really is bed bugs.
- Treat with physical methods and targeted, Canada-registered products.
- Follow up to catch any bugs that hatch later.
See bed bug treatment for details, and prepare for treatment to get ready. We also help businesses and landlords with commercial pest control.
Related pests
Cockroaches and fleas can also appear in rental buildings. See our pages on cockroaches and fleas.
Get a free quote
Bed bug help is available in cities across Ontario, including Toronto bed bug help. Send the free quote form or call us. You get price details or a call-back in under 30 minutes.
Common questions
Are bed bug bites dangerous?
Bites are itchy but are not considered a health hazard by Toronto Public Health. Scratching can lead to skin infection, and some people have allergic reactions. Constant worry and lost sleep can also take a toll. See a doctor if bites look infected.
Do bed bugs live in clothes?
They can hide in clothing, bags and bedding, which is how they travel. Most of their time is spent near where people sleep, such as mattress seams, bed frames and nearby furniture. Washing and drying clothes on high heat helps.
Can I get bed bugs from public transit?
It is possible for a bug to ride on a bag or coat, but most infestations come from places where people sleep, such as hotels, shared housing or used furniture. Keep bags off the floor and check them when you get home.
Why do bites show up days later?
Skin reactions vary. Some people react quickly, some react later, and some do not react at all. Because of this, bites alone cannot tell you where or when you were bitten. Look for bugs, stains or shed skins to confirm.
Can pets get bed bugs?
Bed bugs prefer people, but they will bite pets if they can. Itchy pets are more often caused by fleas. If your pet is scratching, see our fleas page, and ask a vet if the problem does not clear up.
What should I do first?
Confirm what you have, keep the bugs, and stop moving things between rooms. Wash and dry bedding on high heat. Do not use foggers. Tell your landlord if you rent, and then request a quote so a licensed professional can inspect.
Services that treat this
Guides
- How to prepare for bed bug treatmentA practical checklist for laundry, clearing space and what to avoid before and after bed bug treatment.
- Integrated pest management (IPM): how we workA plain explanation of IPM and the four steps we follow on every job: inspect, identify, treat and follow up.
- Signs of bed bugs: what to look forA plain guide to spotting bed bugs, from bites to stains, with a simple way to check your bed.
Get a free quote
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