You might spot one of the little critters. They’re small, oval, and flat—like a lentil with legs. Before feeding, they’re pale brown. After a blood meal, they turn a deep, angry red.
They cannot fly or jump. They crawl. Slowly. But don’t let that fool you—they’re escape artists. They hide in the tiniest cracks, like under a loose bit of wallpaper or inside a plug socket.
Quirky fact: bed bugs can survive for months without a meal. They’re like the lazy housemate who only shows up when the fridge is full. But they’re far less welcome.
The Smell of Infestation
If your infestation is large, you might smell something odd. It’s often described as a musty, sweet odor. Some say it smells like coriander. Others say it’s like a damp, rusty gym bag.
This smell comes from their scent glands. It’s their way of communicating. But to you, it’s a clear sign: “We’ve set up camp.” That’s when you stop playing detective and call the pros.
Don’t try to mask it with air freshener. That only makes things smell like a funky flower shop. No one wants that.
