Aptive Pest Control Practice Test 2026 - Free Pest Control Practice Questions and Study Guide

Bed bug infestations are best identified by concrete signs that show both activity and evidence of hiding. The two strongest indicators are spotting live bed bugs or their shed skins, and finding dark spots on mattresses, sheets, or walls. Seeing live bugs confirms ongoing activity, while shed skins indicate the insects have moulted as the population grows. The dark spots are typically fecal stains that accumulate where the bugs hide, such as mattress seams, bed frames, and nearby walls, making these spots a reliable clue of infestation.

Other signs can be misleading on their own. A musty odor can occur with heavier infestations, but relying on odor alone isn’t enough for a definite diagnosis. Gnawing around baseboards isn’t characteristic of bed bugs—it's more typical of rodents or other pests. And daytime sightings aren’t a reliable indicator since bed bugs are mainly active at night; seeing them in daylight can happen but doesn’t by itself confirm an infestation.