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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffDiagnosis of bites requires a history of your exposure and a physical examination of the bite areas. Because the bites can be mistaken for those of other insects or other skin problems, your doctor will need to rule out fleas, body lice and scabies before determining a diagnosis of bedbugs.
Diagnosis of a bedbug infestation in your home can be more difficult, since bedbugs are active primarily at night. If you have signs or symptoms, immediately inspect your home for the insects. Thoroughly examine crevices in walls, mattresses and furniture. You may need to perform your inspection at night when bedbugs are active.
Look for these signs:
- Discrete bloodstains on sheets and mattresses
- Specks of blood behind wallpaper or other sites of heavy infestation
- Insect excrement at the entry to hiding places in furniture crevices and walls
- An intense, sweet odor caused by bedbugs' oil secretions
