Pests We Treat - Bed bug fecal stains in Asbury Park, NJ

As a pest control technician who specializes in bed bugs, I’m often asked, "How do I know if I have a bed bug infestation?” Good question!

The most obvious sign of bed bugs is seeing live bed bug activity. However, bed bugs are stealth insects. Usually, they hide in tight dark nooks and crannies during the day, and only come out a night to feed. Rather than finding live bed bugs, more often than not, you’ll first find evidence of bed bug activity. Evidence includes unexplained bites often on your arms and legs. You may also find bed bug eggs. These eggs are are small, soft, pearly white and barrel-shaped, slightly smaller than a grain of rice, and covered with a sticky substance so they can adhere to surfaces. Eggs are often hidden and, because of their size and coloration, are hard to find if you don’t know what you are looking for.

Aside from seeing live bed bugs, the best most obvious sign of an infestation is usually bed bug fecal stains. Bed bugs typically come out of hiding for their blood meal (you!) while you're in a deep sleep, vulnerable and defenseless. You don’t even realize at the time that you are being bitten. Bed bugs first numb you with an anesthetic that they produce before they begin feeding. After feeding, they then go back to there place of rest, defecating some of the blood meal that they just had.

Bed bug defecated blood is often described as resembling pepper shakings. After it dries out, the fecal waste turns into small black spots. Often you’ll find these spots around the crack and crevice areas where bed bugs like to hide. So, you’ll commonly find fecal stains around electrical outlets, mattress seams, and baseboards. With high bed bug populations, you’ll start finding these tiny black spots on walls and ceiling junctures.

If you ever start seeing tiny black stains anywhere in your room, call a bed bug professional for a thorough bed bug inspection. The earlier we are contacted, the easier it is to treat.