What bed bugs look like
Adult bed bugs are flat, oval and reddish-brown, about 4 to 5 mm long, roughly the size of an apple pip. After feeding they swell and look darker and more rounded. Young bed bugs (nymphs) are smaller and pale, almost translucent. Eggs are tiny, white and about 1 mm long.
What you need
A bright torch, a flat card such as an old bank card, and a magnifying glass if you have one.
Step-by-step check
- Strip the bed and look along the seams, piping and labels of the mattress, especially at the head end
- Check the base or divan, including under the fabric lining, the corners and the legs
- Look closely at the headboard, particularly where it is fixed to the wall or the bed
- Run a card along cracks in the bed frame and into joints to push out hiding bugs
- Check the bedside tables, especially drawer joints and the backs
- Look at skirting boards, sockets, picture frames and the edges of the carpet near the bed
- Check sofas and chairs where people sleep or sit for long periods
Signs to look for
- Live bugs or shed skins
- Dark spots, like ink dots, on mattress seams and headboards; these are droppings
- Small blood spots on sheets and pillowcases
- Eggs or egg shells in seams and crevices
- A sweet, musty smell in heavy infestations
If you find signs
Do not move furniture or bedding into other rooms, which can spread bed bugs. Avoid using shop-bought sprays, which often scatter them. Read how to prepare for treatment and book an inspection.
Questions and answers
Can I see bed bugs with the naked eye?
Yes. Adults are about the size of an apple pip. Young bugs and eggs are harder to see without a torch and magnifier.
Do bed bugs only live in beds?
Mostly in and around beds, but they also hide in sofas, furniture, skirting boards, sockets and behind picture frames.
Are bed bug monitors useful?
Interceptor cups under bed legs can confirm activity and help monitor after treatment, but they are not a treatment on their own.
Related pages
This page is general information, last reviewed on 19 October 2026. It is not a substitute for an on-site inspection.