Bed bugs are small bloodsucking insects that come out at night to feed on blood, said the NHS.
They live in tiny cracks and crevices in the bedroom, usually around the bed frame, and are about the width of a credit card.
While the bugs aren’t necessarily dangerous, they can be very annoying, and leave people with a bad reaction to their bites.
You could have a bed bug infestation if your bedroom smells a bit like a damp towel, it’s been revealed.
A musty odour could be caused by bed bugs, said pest control firm Terminix. The smell is caused by bed bugs’ pheromones.
While the smell may be mild during the early phases of an infestation, it can become quite unpleasant as they increase in number, it said.
If your bedroom, home or hotel smells a bit musty, you should check for bed bugs.
“Signs and symptoms of bed bugs can be hard to detect at first, and even trickier to treat,” it said.
“To the untrained eye, bed bug bites can be confused with those of other biting insects.
“A strong, unpleasant, musty odour like that of a wet towel is another common bed bug symptom.
“Bed bugs release pheromones, and when in large numbers, the smell can be quite strong.
“Should you find your bedroom smelling like a dirty locker room, you may want to perform an inspection.”
Other bed bug signs include finding red, itchy bumps on your arms or shoulders.
The insects tend to feed on exposed areas of skin during the night, which is more likely to be the arms, shoulders or neck, added Terminix.
If you’re unsure whether your bites are caused by bed bugs, look for bites that don’t have a red spot in the centre, added medical website WebMD.
You should also check for bed bugs around the bed, including around mobile phones or inside books.
The bugs could attach to clothing, so it’s a good idea to check your wardrobe for any signs of them.
If you do have a bed bug infestation, you should clean all bedding, curtains and clothes in hot water, and dry them on the highest setting.
Vacuum the bed and the surrounding area. After finishing, empty the contents of the vacuum into a plastic bag and take it straight out to the bin.
If your mattress is infested, it’s probably a good idea to just get rid of it and buy a new one.