A bed bug infestation is identifiable by a number of signs. Bites, which are often mistaken for mosquito bites, are a common sign: these usually, but not always, appear in threes, in a single line, commonly known as “breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
The bites can be extremely itchy, though effects vary from person to person, and are usually found on exposed parts of the body such as hands, feet, and neck, but can be found anywhere. The bites are frequent, sometimes taking place as often as every night.
Bed bugs also leave traces, such as dried-out husks (exoskeletons), fecal matter (blackish looking specks) and blood stains (if you kill one while, say, rolling over in your sleep). A severe infestation can also be identified by a sickly sweet smell that has been variously described as “rotting raspberries”, “almonds” and “an old granola bar”.
Published in Bed Bug 101