can’t find bed bugs are masters of blending in. These flaxseed-sized critters are nocturnal and very good at hiding in the tiniest cracks and crevices. As a result, a bed bug infestation can be difficult to detect in its early stages and even harder to get rid of completely.

To help prevent or catch an infestation in its early stages, many people use a bed bug trap. These traps are small plastic dishes that wandering bed bugs fall into and cannot escape due to a slippery inner surface. They can be purchased online or from some hardware stores.

Bed Bug Sleuthing: Tips for Detecting and Dealing with Hidden Infestations

You can also check for signs of a bed bug infestation by examining your mattress and surrounding furniture. Look in the seams and creases of the mattress itself, as well as the box spring and headboard. Pay special attention to the corners and nooks, and use a credit card or similar tool to pry out any tiny spaces. Also inspect nearby dressers, nightstands, and other wooden furniture with a lot of crevices and nooks. Pay attention to screw holes and the space under the legs of chairs or couches, too.

You can also search for tan-colored shells shed by bed bugs as they molt. Once a nymph bed bug sheds its tan-colored exoskeleton, it has successfully fed on humans or other mammals and is ready to start reproducing. You can find these tan-colored shells around the bed, in crevices of furniture and in other spots where a bed bug has been hiding.