They spread fast and they're stubborn once settled. So here are the five bed bugs signs to check tonight, before it gets worse.

1. Tiny dark specks on the mattress

Look along the seams and corners of your mattress. Small black or brown dots, like felt-tip marks, are bed bug droppings.

Smear one with a damp tissue and it streaks rusty brown. That's one of the clearest early signs.

2. Small blood spots on the sheets

Check your sheets and pillowcase in good light. Little rust or red smears are from a bug squashed after feeding.

You'll often spot these before you ever see a live bug. If they keep coming back, take it seriously.

3. Bites in a line or cluster

Bites usually land on skin that's exposed in bed. Arms, shoulders, neck and legs are the common spots.

Be careful though, bites are the least reliable sign. Some people react badly, others get nothing at all.

4. Shed skins and a musty smell

As they grow, bed bugs leave pale, empty shells behind. They look like see-through versions of the bug itself.

A bigger problem also has a sweet, musty smell. A bit like overripe fruit or damp. If you can smell it, it's been there a while.

5. The Bug itself

An adult bed bug is flat, oval and about the size of an apple pip. Around 4 to 5mm, pale tan to deep reddish brown.

They crawl slowly and don't jump or fly. Check the headboard, frame joints, skirting and plug sockets near the bed.

How they get in

Two routes cause most of the problems we see. Second-hand furniture and travel.

Check any pre-loved sofa or bed frame with a torch before it comes in. And when you get home from a trip, hot-wash your clothes instead of dumping the case on the bed.

What to do if you find them

Strip the bed and hot-wash everything at 60°C, then tumble dry. Heat is what kills them, not just water.

Don't grab a spray as your main plan, it scatters them and makes things harder. And don't drag the mattress through the house, that just spreads the problem.

Found a sign or two? Don't wait for it to spread. Clear Pest Control handles bed bugs across the North East of England with trained technicians and proven methods.

Read the full guide and book a free survey here .