Bed bugs can hide but their dropping cannot! Have you ever noticed tiny dark stains on your mattress or furniture and are confused about where they have come from? These marks could be a sign of bed bugs. Specifically, they could be bed bug droppings, one of the most common signs of a bed bug infestation.
What Are Bed Bug Droppings?
Bed bug droppings are basically the waste material excreted by bed bugs after they consume blood. These droppings consist mainly of digested blood, which gives them their dark color. Unlike solid waste from larger pests, bed bug poop is semi-liquid and can stain surfaces such as mattresses, sheets, walls, and furniture.
What Do Bed Bug Droppings Look Like?
Lets see how bed bug poop looks like in shape, color and size so that we can have a better idea to identify their infestation.
|
Color |
Typically, dark brown or black |
|
Shape |
Small dots or smudges, often compared to ink spots from a marker |
|
Consistency |
Semi-liquid; they soak into fabrics or leave crusty residues on hard surfaces |
|
Size |
Tiny, about 1 mm in diameter |
How to find and Identify Bed Bug Droppings
Let’s find out where the bed bugs mostly hide themselves and how we can identify if they are the bed bugs or not.
- Look in Common Hiding Spots
Bed bugs prefer to hide in cracks, crevices, and near their feeding grounds. It can be any of the spots below:
- Mattresses and Box Springs
- Sheets and Pillowcases
- Furniture
- Walls and Baseboards
- Perform the Smudge Test
Rub the stain gently with a wet cloth. If it spreads and makes a dark mark, it is most probably the bed bug droppings.
Health Risks of Bed Bug Feces
Bed bug feces don’t carry diseases, but they can still pose some health concerns:
- Allergic Reactions
Bed bug droppings may trigger some allergic reactions such as:
- Skin rashes
- Eye irritation
- Psychological Stress
The presence of bed bug poop can cause insomnia and stress.
- Bacterial Exposure
Although rare, bed bug droppings can harbor bacteria, which may pose a risk if inhaled or encounter the open wound.
How to Clean Bed Bug Droppings
Once you’ve identified bed bug feces, it is very important to clean the infected area. Let’s explore how you can sanitize the area perfectly.
Materials Needed
- Vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
- Mild detergent or cleaner
- Warm water and soft cloths
- Gloves
Cleaning Process
- Vacuum the Area
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove droppings, eggs, and other materials. Focus on gaps, crevices, mattress seams, and furniture joints. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately to prevent spreading.
- Pre-Treat Stains
For surfaces like sheets or mattresses, apply a light detergent or stain remover and leave it for 15 – 20 mins so that it can sit and adjust properly.
- Wipe or Scrub
For hard surfaces, dampen a cloth with warm water and detergent, then wipe the droppings gently.
- Wash Fabric Items
Wash the sheets or pillowcases that have been infested, in hot water and then dry them on high heat.
- Sanitize
After cleaning, use a disinfectant spray to kill lingering bacteria.
- Inspect Again
Double check the infected area to see if there are any signs of bed bugs or droppings still left or not.
Conclusion
Bed bug poop is an early warning sign of an infestation. By knowing how to identify, clean, and prevent them, you can take proactive steps to keep your homes protected from bed bugs.
Calling a professional pest control service should always be considered as soon as you see the bed bug droppings in a large quantity as it is the sign of infestation. They come up with the advanced tools and techniques to cater the bed bug infestations and apply the preventive measures to stop them from coming back.
