'Tell-tale' night-time sign you could have bed bugs

An expert is telling people to watch out for a "tell-tale" sign you might have a bed bug infestation. are small, wingless insects that feed on human blood and are typically found around beds to stay close to their food source.

According to the, bedbugs can be found in even the cleanest homes. This is because they simply need a food source.

Norman Smith, director and owner of , a pest control company, is telling people to watch for an unusual almond-like smell which could be a sign of a bed bugs. This distinctive odour is often missed by people looking for more obvious signs like bites or spotting the insects themselves.

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He said: "When bedbugs have established themselves in large numbers, they release pheromones that create a musty, sweet almond smell. Many people don't connect this smell with bedbugs and might search for other causes like damp."

The expert pointed out that bedbugs are masters of hiding and can be very difficult to spot. He added: "Most people think they'll easily see bedbugs crawling around, but they're incredibly sneaky insects. Their flat bodies allow them to hide in the tiniest cracks and seams of mattresses, bed frames, and furniture."

Smith warned that the small insects have evolved to be particularly evasive, only emerging to feed when humans are deeply asleep and less likely to disturb them. He said: "Bedbugs typically feed for two to five minutes before retreating back to their hiding places. This usually happens between 2am and 5am when people are in their deepest sleep stage."

How to tell if you have bed bugs

The bedroom expert also highlighted another unusual sign - rust-coloured stains on sheets and mattresses which aren't always connected to bedbugs. He explained: "People often mistake these small brownish stains for dirt or other marks, but they're actually bedbug droppings. #

"The dark brown or rust-coloured spots can stain bed linen and mattresses, and are a major red flag that bedbugs have moved in." He added that finding blood spots on sheets is another significant indicator.

He said: "After feeding, bedbugs can leave small blood spots behind. These aren't usually from the bite itself, but from the bedbug being squashed if you roll over in your sleep."

An unusual bite pattern can also help identify a bedbug problem. Smith added: "If you notice bites in a straight line or clustered in a small area, this could be bedbugs.

"It's sometimes called the 'breakfast, lunch, and dinner' pattern because if a bedbug gets disturbed while feeding, it will move a short distance and try again."

What to do if you have bed bugs

The expert stressed that prompt action is critical for tackling bedbug problems. He explained: "Bedbugs reproduce extremely rapidly - a female can lay approximately 200 eggs in just five days. This means a small problem can quickly become a major infestation if not addressed immediately."

For those concerned about a possible infestation, Smith advised: "Strip the bed completely and check all seams and piping of the mattress. Don't forget to inspect the bed frame, particularly in corners and joints. Bedbugs can hide in the smallest cracks - as thin as a credit card."

Southampton City Council's advises that if you have suspected or confirmed bedbugs, early action is vital and will be cheaper and easier to treat. Once an infestation has spread, professional pest control services become necessary for effective removal.

The Council also notes that before pest control visits, residents should not move items from an affected room to a non-affected room, as this can spread the infestation further.

For those dealing with a confirmed infestation, the Smith recommended washing all bedding at high temperatures. He said: "Wash all bedding and clothing at 60°C if possible, as this temperature kills bedbugs and their eggs. Follow this with a hot tumble dry for at least 30 minutes."

The British Association of Dermatologists confirms this approach, stating that heat treatment such as washing at high temperatures (60°C) or tumble drying for at least 30 minutes can help kill bedbugs and their eggs.