Just the word “bedbug” itself brings up feelings of dread in most people. They’re tiny, multiply quickly, bite - and are notoriously hard to get rid of. Seeing just one bedbug in your home may send you off on a frenzied inspection of your entire home. We understand the frantic feeling of discovering you have bedbugs, which is why we’ve put together a checklist of what to do when you find a bedbug.

How to Check for Bedbugs

Before you start your search, you should know that bedbugs hide absolutely anywhere, not just in fabric and clothing. Bedbugs aren’t picky either - whether your home is spotless or could use a cleaning session, these nasty pests will be happy anywhere. Bedbugs are tiny, flat, brownish bugs that crawl quite slowly. They lay eggs in dark places, which look like clusters of tiny brown dots.

If you discover a bedbug in your home, conducting a thorough search is important.

1. Check around the area the bedbug was found, including cracks in the floor, molding, corners, closets, chairs, and tables. Bedbugs can create a nest inside anything, so wear a glove and use your finger to swipe hard to see areas, you may find their eggs and excrement before you see any actual bugs.
2. Check your bed. Remove the blankets, comforters, and pillows, carefully checking the outside and inside of each item, especially around the seams. Check the sheets and pull them off so that you can inspect your mattress. Check both sides of the mattress. It’s also important that you check the entire bed frame. Focus on corners and joints. If you have a bed with storage space in the headboard or under the bed, check the entire area carefully for signs of bedbugs. If you find bedbugs, excrement, or eggs on any part of your bedding or sheets, carefully place these items in bags to be washed later. 
3. When checking your closets and clothing, pay special attention to shoes, pockets, seams, and any small areas where bedbugs may be hiding. If you have found bedbugs in the closet, carefully remove all of the clothing and tie it in plastic bags to wash later. First, you must clean out the entire closet and check for or remove any nesting areas. Contrary to popular belief, simply throwing out all the fabrics in your home won’t help unless you’ve removed the source of the problem. Check all the cracks, moldings, and even door hinges on the closets for signs of bedbugs.
4. Examine the living room, sitting room, or any other rooms or areas that are frequented by family members. Bedbugs are attracted by warmth and blood - they’ll hang out anywhere you do. Check any fabric chairs, couches, and carpets first. Take them apart and look at the joints to see whether bedbugs have invaded. Look under the rug or right on the edges for bedbug eggs. Look behind paintings and wall hangings. Finally, check wooden furniture and tables. If you do have bedbugs, they’ll most likely be hiding near where you sit.
5. Bedbugs are tricky to get rid of simply because their eggs are tiny and hidden in hard to reach places. If you’ve found signs of bedbugs, collect all the linens you found them on and wash them in water over 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Bedbug eggs can withstand a wide range of temperatures, and only that kind of heat will remove them from your belongings. 

Getting Rid of Bedbugs

Battling a bedbug infestation on your own is difficult and stressful. Even if you rely on regular store-bought insecticides, you’re likely to see the infestation return after some time. Using these products consistently may be harmful to yourself, your children, and your pets. It’s best to call in professional help from Eagle Pest Services. If you spot bedbugs, call 1-888-616-8739 to speak to a pest control expert. They can remove your bedbug infestation quickly, and keep these critters from coming back.