Bed bugs are small, flat insects that feed on human blood while people sleep, typically hiding during the day in mattress seams, box springs, headboards, and cracks in furniture near the bed. They do not fly or jump, but spread easily by hitching a ride on luggage, clothing, and used furniture.
Signs of an infestation include small rust-colored spots on sheets, a musty odor, and clusters of itchy bites in a line. Because eggs and bugs can hide in tiny crevices, do-it-yourself treatments rarely resolve an infestation completely — a thorough professional inspection and treatment plan is the most reliable path to full elimination.