Bed bugs are small (around 5-9mm long), oval shaped insects and usually appear in shades of brown. You might easily mistake them for a wood tick due to their similarities. However, this colour changes slightly after they’ve consumed blood – this usually causes them to appear more reddish in colour, with an elongated body.
Bed bugs are wingless insects, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not fast – they can crawl very quickly along walls, floors and ceilings, making them very hard to catch.
Bed bug bites are usually arranged in a line or cluster pattern, and will typically be red and itchy. Due to their appearance, it’s very easy to mistake them for an allergic reaction or a standard bug bite.
Bed bug bites are a common sign that you may have an infestation of bed bugs in your home.
Signs of bed bugs include:
- Bed bug bites
- Blood stains/spots on your bedding
- Small brown spots on your bedding or furniture (bed bug excrement)
If you notice any of the above signs, it’s likely that you’ll need a bed bug treatment to remove the problem.