“But wait!” you cry, “I found a similar brown speck! Is it a bug shell or a piece of cocoa puff?” Good question. Bed bug shells are uniform and symmetrical, while breakfast cereal is jagged and has milk residue. Also, if it crumbles easily into dust, it’s probably just dried dirt.
Another giveaway? Smell it (gently). Bed bug shells have a faint, musty, sweet odor—like an old raspberry milkshake in a dirty attic. If it smells like a Frito, congrats, you’re just snacking in bed, which is gross for different reasons. Don’t eat them, please.
