The peculiar smell in your bedroom that may be a sign that you have a bed bug problem

No matter how clean we keep our bedrooms, the presence of small insects can sometimes be unavoidable. Take bedbugs for example. But there are ways to detect them.

As the Mirror reports, citing the British Association of Dermatologists, bed bugs can be found in even the cleanest homes. This is because they only need one food source.

Norman Smith, director of the pest control company Invicta Environmental, recommends being alert for an unusual odor that could be a sign of bed bugs.

It's the smell of almonds. This distinctive scent often goes unnoticed by those looking for more obvious signs, such as bites or the detection of the insects themselves.

"When bed bugs establish themselves in large numbers, they release pheromones that create a musty, sweet almond scent. Many people don't associate this smell with bed bugs and may look for other causes, such as moisture," Smith says.

The expert points out that bed bugs are adept at hiding and can be very difficult to spot: "Most people think they'll easily spot bed bugs crawling, but they're incredibly slippery insects. Their flat bodies allow them to hide in the smallest cracks and seams of mattresses, box springs, and furniture."

Smith says these tiny insects have evolved to be particularly elusive, only coming out to feed when humans are sound asleep and less likely to disturb them.

"Bed bugs typically feed for two to five minutes before returning to their hiding places. This usually occurs between 2 and 5 a.m., when people are in their deepest sleep," the expert says.

The bedroom expert also points out another unusual sign: rust-colored stains on sheets and mattresses that aren't always related to bedbugs.

"People often mistake these small brown spots for dirt or other marks , but they're actually bed bug droppings," says Norman Smith.

Dark brown or reddish stains can appear on bedding and mattresses and are a clear sign that bed bugs have moved in. Finding blood stains on sheets is another important indicator of their presence.

"After feeding, bed bugs can leave small blood stains. These aren't usually due to the bite itself, but rather because the bed bug is crushed if you roll over while sleeping," the expert continues.

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Another way to spot them is to look for an unusual bite pattern : "If you see bites in a straight line or clustered in a small area, they could be bed bugs," says Nathan Smith.

"Bed bugs reproduce extremely quickly: a female can lay approximately 200 eggs in just five days . This means that a small problem can quickly turn into a serious infestation if not addressed immediately," the expert warns.

What to do then? " Discard the entire bed and check all the seams and edging of the mattress. Don't forget to inspect the bed frame, especially the corners and seams. Bed bugs can hide in the tiniest cracks, as thin as a credit card," says Nathan Smith.

Smith recommends washing all bedding at a high temperature: " Wash all bedding and clothing at 60°C if possible, as this temperature kills bed bugs and their eggs. Then, dry clothes in the dryer on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes."