On behalf of Law Office of Paul Mankin posted in blog on Tuesday, July 11, 2017.

Bed bugs cause discomforting living conditions. If you wake up itchy or notice other suspecting signs, you might be wondering if you have an infestation. You might brush off some signs at first only to realize the problem is worse than you thought.

While detecting a bed bug infestation might seem difficult at first, you can start by looking out for a few clear signs. Keep reading to learn about the most common symptoms of bed bugs in your apartment with information from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

1. Red and itchy bites

Are you noticing marks on your body each morning? If you see red welts appearing in small clusters, zigzag lines or straight rows, bed bugs might be biting you. The most common place for bed bugs to feed on humans is on exposed skin, such as your hands, arms and shoulders.

2. A gross bed

If bed bugs are biting you, they leave blood stains behind. These stains are usually small and look rusty. Look for stains near the edges and corners of your bed. There may also be dark spots due to excrement. You might also notice shedded skin in the form of brown exoskeletons.

3. An unpleasant smell 

A bed bug infestation is characterized by a strong and musty odor. This happens because bed bugs release pheromones. This odor is similar to the smell of a wet towel. If your room is smelling similar to a dirty locker room but you are not leaving wet towels everywhere, you might have a problem.

Bed bugs can cause various types of discomfort and inconvenience. You can develop serious welts that result in scratching and bleeding. They may also start to stain your clothes. If you have a bed bug infestation, you might be able to sue your landlord for a housing code violation.