How to check for bed bugs, and how to prepare for treatment
Last updated: 12 October 2026 · Reviewed by: M. Hanifi, RSPH Level 2 qualified technician
To check for bed bugs, strip the bed and use a torch to inspect mattress seams, the bed frame and headboard for small black spots, pale shed skins, eggs and live insects. If you find signs, don't move furniture to other rooms. Wash bedding hot, vacuum, and book a professional treatment with two visits.
Step-by-step bed bug check
Work methodically from the mattress outwards, because bed bugs hide within a couple of metres of where people sleep.
- Strip the bed and check sheets for blood spots.
- Inspect mattress seams, piping and labels with a torch.
- Lift the mattress; check the base and slats.
- Check the headboard and where it meets the wall.
- Check skirting, sockets and bedside furniture.
How to prepare for bed bug treatment
Preparation helps treatment reach every hiding place: wash, vacuum, declutter and keep items in the room.
- Wash bedding and clothes at 60°C and tumble dry hot.
- Bag clean laundry and keep it sealed.
- Vacuum and bin the contents outside.
- Clear under the bed.
- Don't move furniture to other rooms.
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
Can I see bed bugs with the naked eye?
Yes. Adults are about 5 mm long, similar to an apple seed.
Do bed bugs only live in beds?
No. They also hide in sofas, skirting boards, sockets and furniture near sleeping areas.
