Bed bugs hitchhike in luggage, used furniture, and clothing and hide in mattress seams, headboards, and furniture joints. Look for live bugs, dark droppings, shed skins, and rusty stains. Professional treatment uses heat, labeled products, or both, with follow-up checks. Avoid foggers and don't move to another room, which can spread them.
Last updated
Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects that feed on blood, usually at night. They don't come from dirt or poor housekeeping. They hitchhike in luggage, used furniture, and clothing, and they turn up in homes, apartments, hotels, and dorms everywhere, including Metro Atlanta. Bed bugs are not known to spread disease, but bites can itch, and the stress and sleep loss are real.
Signs of bed bugs
- Live bugs, about the size of an apple seed, in mattress seams, box springs, headboards, and furniture joints.
- Small dark spots of droppings on sheets, mattress tags, and seams.
- Shed skins and tiny pale eggs in cracks and crevices.
- Rusty or reddish stains on bedding.
- Bites, often in lines or clusters, though many people don't react to bites at all, so bites alone aren't proof.
How professionals treat bed bugs
- Inspection to confirm bed bugs and map how far they've spread. Some companies use trained detection dogs or monitors.
- Heat treatment, which raises the temperature of rooms and contents to a level lethal to all life stages, often in one longer visit.
- Chemical treatment with products labeled for bed bugs, applied to cracks, crevices, and furniture, typically over multiple visits.
- Combined approaches, including vacuuming, steaming, mattress encasements, and follow-up monitoring.
Ask the company what's included, how many visits to expect, and how they'll confirm the bed bugs are gone.
What not to do
- Don't rely on foggers or "bug bombs." The EPA notes they're not effective against bed bugs hiding in cracks, and misusing them can be a fire and health hazard.
- Don't use products not labeled for indoor use or apply anything to mattresses or bedding unless the label allows it.
- Don't move to another bedroom or the couch. Bed bugs can follow you and spread the infestation.
- Don't throw out furniture before talking with a professional. Much of it can be treated, and dragging it through the house can spread bugs.
Prepare and prevent
- Wash bedding and clothing and dry it on high heat; the dryer is one of the most useful tools you have.
- Reduce clutter around the bed so treatment can reach hiding spots.
- After travel, check luggage and wash clothing on return.
- Inspect used furniture, especially mattresses and upholstered pieces, before bringing it home.
Renters should notify their landlord promptly, since nearby units may also need inspection.
Found signs of bed bugs? Request a pest control company and choose "Urgent" if you're seeing them now.
Frequently asked questions
Do bed bugs mean my house is dirty?
No. Bed bugs feed on blood, not dirt or food waste, and they're found in clean homes and upscale hotels alike. They spread by hitchhiking on luggage, furniture, and clothing.
Do bug bombs work on bed bugs?
Generally no. The EPA notes that foggers don't reach bed bugs hiding in cracks and crevices, and misuse can create fire and health hazards.
Should I throw out my mattress?
Not before talking with a professional. Many mattresses can be treated and then sealed in a bed bug encasement, and carrying an infested mattress through the house can spread bugs.