If you suspect bed bugs, the first question is where to look. The answer is rarely out in the open. Bed bugs prefer narrow gaps close to where people sleep, because that keeps a meal within reach. A careful tour of the bedroom pays off.

This guide walks through the room in a sensible order, since a random search misses things. It starts at the mattress and works outwards to the wider furniture.

Why bed bugs stay hidden

Bed bugs are built for tight spaces. The EPA says bed bugs are only about the width of a credit card, so they fit into very small spaces. The University of Kentucky adds that they usually stay hidden by day and become more active at night, so a daytime search often finds nothing moving.

They also stay close to a food source. The CDC reports that bed bugs tend to live within about 8 feet of where people sleep, although they can travel much further in a night. UC IPM puts the usual range at six feet or less.

Therefore, you should begin at the bed and widen the search only when needed. Starting at the far wall wastes time and may cause you to miss the obvious spots.

Step one: the mattress

The mattress is the first place to check. The CDC names the seams of mattresses and box springs as common hiding places. UC IPM adds mattress seams and tufts to its list.

First, strip the bedding and look along the piping and stitching. Check the labels and any folds too, because tight corners hold evidence. For a step-by-step method, read our guide to how to inspect a mattress for bed bugs.

You are looking for live bugs, shed skins and small dark spots. The NHS lists small brown spots on bedding or furniture, and spots of blood from bites or squashed bugs. Our bites guide explains why skin marks alone are never enough.

Step two: the box spring and base

Next, turn to what lies under the mattress. The CDC lists box springs among the usual hiding places. UC IPM lists the wood joints of box springs, and the EPA shows bugs under the fabric cover of an old box spring.

Check stapled edges and any gap between the fabric and the frame. While you are there, look closely at the base. If the base has slats, look at where each slat meets the rail. For example, a small crack at a slat end is just the kind of gap a bed bug can use.

Use a torch and a stiff card to probe gently. Do not poke with fingers into dark gaps. A card is safer and easier to wipe clean.

Step three: the bed frame and headboard

Frames and headboards come next. The NHS lists bed frames, and UC IPM lists bed frames and baseboards. Wooden joints, screw holes and cracks are all possible spots.

A headboard fixed to the wall deserves particular care. The gap behind it is dark and undisturbed, and it sits right next to the sleeper. Pull the bed out from the wall if you can do so safely, because the gap behind it is easy to overlook.

Interceptor traps can help here. They sit under each bed leg and catch bugs that climb up or down. Our guide to bed bug interceptor traps explains how they work and what they can and cannot show.

Step four: soft furnishings and clothing

Bed bugs are not limited to the bed itself. The NHS lists clothing and furniture among typical hiding places. A bedside chair, a sofa bed or a pile of clothes can all shelter them.

Check the seams and cushions of any upholstered furniture in the room. Then look at the folds of curtains and the edges of rugs. Keep an eye on bags and laundry that sit close to the bed.

Second-hand items need extra care. Our post on bed bugs in second-hand furniture explains what to check before bringing an item indoors.

Step five: walls, pictures and skirting

Finally, check the room’s edges. The NHS names behind pictures and under loose wallpaper, while UC IPM names baseboards and behind picture frames. Skirting boards, sockets and the corners where carpet meets the wall are also worth a look.

Take pictures off the wall if you can. Look at the frame and the back of the picture. Gently check any area of loose wallpaper, but do not tear it away.

Because these places are further from the bed, they usually show fewer signs. However, finding marks here may mean the problem has spread beyond the bed, although one mark alone proves little.

Signs to look for in each spot

Wherever you search, you are looking for the same few signs, although each spot shows them differently. The CDC lists shed exoskeletons, live bugs in mattress folds, rust-coloured blood spots and a sweet musty odour. Our bed bug signs guide shows each one.

Dark marks can be confusing, since several things look alike. For a closer comparison, see bed bug faecal spots versus mould. It covers colour, pattern and location.

Common mistakes when searching

Several habits make a search less useful. First, many people look only at the top of the mattress, although the seams and underside hold more clues. Second, people search in dim light, so small marks go unseen. A bright torch makes a real difference.

Another mistake is searching once and stopping. Bugs hide well, and signs may not appear in a single visit. For example, a clean-looking mattress today does not rule out a problem next week.

Finally, avoid disturbing the room too much before you have looked. Moving furniture around, washing everything or spraying products can destroy evidence. Take notes and photographs first, and decide on next steps afterwards.

Other insects you might find

Not every small insect in a bedroom is a bed bug. Fleas, for instance, jump and tend to stay on pets, whereas bed bugs do not jump. Our comparison of bed bugs and fleas explains the differences.

Tiny pale insects may be booklice instead. Read bed bug vs booklouse if you found something small near damp. Young cockroaches can also cause confusion, and our post on bed bug vs cockroach nymph looks at that case.

The lookalikes guide brings these comparisons together in one place.

After a trip

Bedrooms are not the only place bugs get in. Our guide to checking a hotel room for bed bugs explains what to look at when you arrive. Luggage and clothing can carry bugs home, so read our post on bed bugs after travel and luggage checks before you unpack.

The same tour works away from home. Start at the bed, then widen your search to the nearest furniture.

How we back up these claims

Every location above comes from a named source. Where sources differ on distances, we say so. Our methodology page explains how we choose and check our sources.

What to do next

Work through the tour once, in order, and write down anything you find. Photograph each sign with a coin beside it for scale. Avoid cleaning until you have your photographs.

Then run the five-question checker. It works in your browser, so nothing you type leaves your device. If you catch a live bug, read our found a bug guide for safe ways to keep it. You can also ask a pest professional to confirm what you have found.

Questions and answers

Where do bed bugs hide most often?

Mostly in the seams of mattresses, box springs, bed frames and headboards. University pest notes say they usually stay within a few feet of where people sleep.

Can bed bugs live in places other than the bed?

Yes. The NHS lists clothing, furniture, behind pictures and under loose wallpaper as well. The further from the bed, the fewer bugs you would normally expect.

Why can I not see any bugs in daylight?

Their flat bodies fit into very small gaps, so they stay out of sight. Look for marks and shed skins in seams instead of waiting to spot a bug.

Sources

We checked the facts in this article against these sources. However, this article supports triage, not diagnosis, so keep any specimen for an expert.