Inspect:

An effective bed bug control program begins with (and depends on) a detailed inspection by qualified PMPs. An untrained eye, or even an inexperienced pest professional can misidentify or miscalculate the severity of an infestation and can therefore misdiagnose the problem completely. While time consuming and labor intensive, it is critical not to rush or under-budget the inspection process.

• Carefully survey the premises. 
Focus on the sleeping areas and areas where occupants spend time resting, as well as furniture and objects directly near beds, couches, easy chairs, etc. (items like headboards, nightstands, end tables and lamp stands).
Using a well-charged flashlight, search the entire room for bed bug activity, adults, nymphs and egg clusters on mattresses, bed frames, box springs, carpet edges, baseboards, walls, wall outlets, hanging pictures, nearby furniture and luggage (especially if the occupant has recently returned from a trip).
All rooms or apartments adjacent to the infested areas should be inspected. Even rooms above and below are susceptible to the spread of bed bugs.

• Talk to the occupants of the home, apartment, dormitory or the management (if dealing with a hotel or motel) and ask questions concerning what has been seen or experienced. How many people have been bitten? Where do the victims spend most of their time? When was the problem first noticed? What, if any,“home remedy” solutions have been attempted? Have live insects been seen? If so, where and at what time of day or night?
  
• Create a drawing of the rooms or areas to be treated.
  
• Record on an inspection form what was found, including live bugs, fecal staining, blood smears and cast skins (exocutile).
  
• Obtain a population estimate by placing monitoring devices under and adjacent to beds and other suspected infested furniture and leaving them overnight.

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