How to Spot Bed Bug Droppings

bed bug droppings are blood feeders and their fecal droppings reveal a lot about the insect’s health. Droppings on a mattress will look like dark red to black ink stains dotted across the surface, or smudges on the edges, corners and sides of the mattress. Bed bug poop is more watery than cockroach or mouse droppings and therefore may smear when it drips onto non-absorbent surfaces such as a sheet or a pillowcase.

After feeding, the fecal matter of a bed bug will take on a thicker consistency, similar to pudding or tar. Over the next few days, it will liquefy and soak into a porous fabric such as a bedsheet, leaving behind a stain that resembles freckles or a dark, red-to-black ink smear. As it dries, the smear will turn into a powdery, darker granule that resembles the droppings of a German cockroach or coffee grounds.

Identifying Bed Bug Droppings: A Comprehensive Guide

The smell of the fecal matter of a healthy bed bug is very similar to that of fresh blood, although slightly less pronounced. A strong odor is more likely to indicate a heavy infestation than a light one since the insects don’t tend to leave their droppings far from where they sleep and feed.

In addition to spotting droppings, watch for the emergence of small white eggs in the crevices and joints of your mattress and furniture. If you notice these specks, or find egg shells in the creases of pillows or between cushions, then it’s time to treat for bed bugs.