Bed bugs are one of the most irritating pests to infest the homes of people or hotel rooms that they stay in.
These little bugs can be extremely hard to eliminate. Therefore, it becomes essential to know about the infestation when they’re low in numbers.
For that, finding bed bug poop is one of the most effective ways of identifying a bed bug infestation.
If you find bed bug droppings on the bed, sofa, or on the floor, then it is a clear indication that you have a bed bug problem in your home.
But, there are many bugs with poop similar to bed bugs. Because of that, it is important to learn how to identify bed bug feces if you think you’ve found some. So, let’s get started.
Related: 11 Bugs That Look Like Bed Bugs
What Does Bed Bug Poop Look Like?
The frass (poop) of bed bugs appears as a cluster of tiny spots. These droppings consist of digested blood, so the spots tend to have a dark red tint to them.
Bed bug droppings can be dark red, a brownish rust-color, or pure black in color. The size of bed bug frass is about the same as ground coffee or ground black pepper.
See Also: Pictures of Termite Poop
Pictures of Bed Bug Droppings
Where to Find Bed Bug Feces
As mentioned, finding bed bug fecal stains is one of the easiest ways to verify an infestation. Begin your search along the bed frame and in its cracks. You’ll start noticing them in the corners, edges, seams, or creases of your mattress, in the box springs, or under the sheets.
While there are many myths about bed bugs, one of the biggest is that they’re only found in your bed. In reality, they will also infest other furniture where humans tend to remain still for long periods of time. If you find what appears to be bed bug stains on your couch, don’t dismiss it!
You may also find the droppings on the carpet, along the edges of the wall, and other places near the bed they might be hiding.
See Also: What Does Cockroach Poop Look Like?
Testing the Feces
There’s a little trick you can use when trying to identify bed bug fecal matter. Whether you’re dealing with fresh bed bug droppings or dried poop with a blackish color, the results will be the same.
You can test the suspected bed bug feces with only a paper tower or spray bottle of cold water. Whether the poop appears to be coffee grounds or little black ink stains from a fine-tip ballpoint pen, the results will be the same.
Simply squirt a little water on the suspicious specks or press a damp paper towel directly onto them. It the spots are a blood lean, they will dissolve and create little red stains.
Note that you can use this same test to identify flea dirt.
Another thing that can be helpful to recognize whether it is bed bug poop or not is for you have to look at the shed skin, egg casings, or bloodstains.
If you find the droppings in the form of reddish-black spots on the surface along with these things, then you can guess it is bed bug poop.
Removing Bed Bug Feces
Because you’re dealing with bloodsucking pests, the risk of spreading bloodborne diseases through their frass is high. Thankfully, it’s not difficult to clean up the poop. Just remember to also address the infestation itself.
A steam vac is one of the best ways to eliminate both the poop and an active bed bug infestation. When possibly, use a commercial model, as these can reach a high enough heat to kill bed bugs in mere minutes.
The stains can also be removed by first soaking the surface and seams of mattresses in a hydrogen peroxide solution, then wiping away with a damp cloth. Note that this method will easily get rid of any red or black stains caused by the bed bugs’ blood meals, but won’t have any effect on the bed bug infestation itself.
Dealing with Bed Bugs through Pest Control
Bed bugs in the house can be a huge discomfort, especially if they happen to infiltrate your home in large numbers.
If you’ve only noticed a few of them in a certain area, getting rid of bed bugs on your own is entirely possible. This may involve eliminating them with rubbing alcohol or utilizing scents to repel them.
However, in the case of a full-fledged bed bug infestation, it is recommended to hire a professional exterminator who could handle the problem more expertly and permanently.
To learn more, click on the link below to get free quotes from multiple pest control providers in your area to choose the best and effective local exterminator for your bed bug infestation.
Final Words
Nobody likes bed bugs in their homes; their bites can be painful, itchy and irritating. Being exposed to bed bugs is never fun, whether it be in your bedroom or in a hotel room on vacation.
Usually, there aren’t many signs that indicate their presence in your bed. However, bed bug poop stains are one major indicator that these buggers have made their way inside your home and they won’t leave until you take concrete actions to eliminate them.
And while there are various methods with which you can get rid of bed bugs, it is often best to consult with a pest control professional to ensure it isn’t a severe infestation.
Have you ever faced a bed bug infestation? How did you deal with it? Let us know in the comments below.
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