How to identify bed bugs early
UC IPM says you confirm bed bugs by finding the insects or their signs, not by bites alone. The first places to check are mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, and nearby cracks, and to compare what you find with a reliable identification guide.
What you'll learn
- What an adult bed bug looks like according to UC IPM: about 1/5 inch, flattened, oval, and rusty red
- Where UC IPM says to inspect first: mattress seams, box springs, bed frames, and other cracks near sleeping areas
- What dark fecal spots, shed skins, and eggs can indicate, and that bites alone do not confirm bed bugs
- Why UC IPM recommends a professional for a confirmed infestation, and why EPA says total-release foggers should not be the only method
Step by step
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Keep learning.
How to seal common rodent entry points
San Diego County Vector Control says trapping is only part of the work: seal gaps, remove food, and keep vegetation off the roof line. CDC and UC IPM both treat exclusion as the lasting control. Check what you can see from the ground first.
How to prevent ants in your kitchen
UC IPM says the Argentine ant is the most common household ant in California. Most ants live outdoors, so the lasting work is sealing entry, removing food and water, and baiting the colony rather than spraying indoor trails.
How to spot termite warning signs
UC IPM says California has drywood and subterranean termites, and the signs differ. Catching activity early still needs a professional inspection. Local treatment versus whole-structure fumigation depends on species and how widespread the infestation is, not on a first-year versus third-year rule.