Bed bugs leave behind several signs of their presence, including red bites on the skin, tiny blood spots on bedding or furniture, and fecal stains on sheets, mattresses, or walls. If unsure, it is always best to use traps and monitors for detection.

While bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases to humans, their bites can cause skin irritation and itching. In rare cases, people can have an allergic reaction to bed bug bites, which can lead to more severe symptoms.

Bed bugs can move from room to room by hitching a ride on clothing, bedding, or furniture. They can also travel through wall voids, electrical outlets, or pipes. Once they find a suitable hiding place, they can lay eggs and establish a new infestation.

Getting rid of bed bugs requires a combination of treatments, including vacuuming, steam cleaning, and using insecticides. Although expensive and often unnecessary for the size of infestations, professional pest control companies can also provide heat treatments, which can be very effective at killing bed bugs and their eggs.

To prevent bed bugs from infesting your home, it's important to be vigilant when traveling or purchasing used furniture. Always inspect hotel rooms and rental properties for signs of bed bugs, and wash and dry clothing and bedding on high heat settings after traveling. Additionally, it's a good idea to encase mattresses and box springs in bed bug-proof covers to prevent infestations from taking hold.