Independent guides — we are not an exterminator. If someone has trouble breathing after a sting, call 911. Safety basics

Household Insects · Pest guide

Bed Bugs control

Hitchhikers that hide in mattress seams and bite at night. Hard to clear, but it can be done.

Start here: How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs (2026 Guide) When to call a pro

Bed Bugs at a glance

Scientific name
Cimex lectularius
Size
About 3/16 inch (5 mm), apple-seed size
Appearance
Flat, oval, reddish-brown; swell and redden after feeding
Where found
Mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, headboards, sofa joints
  • Health riskModerate
  • Property damageLow
  • Do it yourself?Call a pro
When bed bugs are active Peak: May–Sep
  1. Jan Active
  2. Feb Active
  3. Mar Active
  4. Apr Active
  5. May Peak
  6. Jun Peak
  7. Jul Peak
  8. Aug Peak
  9. Sep Peak (this month)
  10. Oct Active
  11. Nov Active
  12. Dec Active

Low Active Peak This month

Signs to look for

  • Itchy bites in lines or clusters after sleeping
  • Rust or dark spots on sheets and mattress seams
  • Shed skins and tiny pale eggs in crevices
  • Live bugs in seams, joints and behind headboards

Call a professional when

  • Bugs are found in more than one room
  • DIY treatment has not stopped new bites within a few weeks
  • You live in an apartment or shared building
How to choose a pest control company

Safety first

Never use outdoor pesticides or foggers on beds. Foggers rarely reach bed bugs and can spread them to other rooms.

Bed Bugs: identification & signs

1 guide

What it is, how to tell look-alikes apart and the signs an infestation leaves.

Adult bed bug, Cimex lectularius

Bed Bugs · Identify

Bed Bugs: Identification, Signs and Bites (2026)

· 1 min read

Bed Bugs: removal guides

1 guide

Step-by-step plans to get rid of a pest, from DIY methods to professional treatment.

Bed bug, Cimex lectularius, close up

Bed Bugs · Removal

How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs (2026 Guide)

· 5 min read

Bed Bugs: product guides

1 guide

Traps, baits, sprays and repellents compared: what works, what's safe and what to skip.

Utopia Bedding zippered waterproof mattress encasement

Bed Bugs · Products

Best Bed Bug Traps and Encasements (2026)

· 5 min read

Top picks from our product guides

Keep bed bugs out

  1. Inspect hotel beds and keep luggage off the floor
  2. Put travel clothes straight in a hot dryer
  3. Check second-hand furniture before it comes inside
  4. Use encasements on mattress and box spring

Often confused or found together

All household insects
Fleas Treat the pet, the home and the yard together, or the cycle starts again. Mites Dust mites indoors and spider mites on plants: allergy relief and plant care. Carpet Beetles Tiny beetles whose larvae chew wool, fur and stored fabrics.
Photo credits

Thank you to Content Providers: CDC/ Harvard University, Dr. Gary Alpe (photo 2), Amazon product photo, Michael Wunderli, Gilles San Martin from Namur, Belgium and Luis Fernández García for sharing these beautiful photographs and helping bring this guide to life.

Wikimedia Commons · amazon.com · Public domain · CC BY 2.0 · CC BY-SA 2.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0