Start here

Quick, low-risk steps

  1. Open this page on your phone or computer; no download needed.
  2. Inspect common hiding spots: mattress seams, bed frame joints, baseboards.
  3. For each finding, note the date, room, and what you saw (bug, spot, skin).
  4. Take clear photos with a coin or ruler for scale, but do not move items between rooms.
  5. Share the completed log and photos with a licensed pest professional during inspection.

How to Use This Evidence Log

This tool is a simple, private checklist you fill out on this page. It is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a professional inspection. Use it to gather facts before you call a pest control company.

Record only what you actually see. Guessing or assuming can lead to wrong treatments. A licensed professional will use your log along with a physical inspection to confirm bed bugs and plan next steps.

  • Enter the date and exact room or area for each finding.
  • Describe what you found: live bug, shed skin, fecal spot, or egg.
  • Note the location: mattress seam, behind headboard, electrical outlet, etc.
  • Add a photo reference number if you take pictures.
  • Do not record bites or skin reactions as evidence.

What to Look For

Bed bugs hide in cracks and crevices near where people sleep or rest. Common signs include dark fecal spots (like ink dots), pale shed skins, and tiny white eggs. Live bugs are reddish-brown, about the size of an apple seed.

Look beyond the mattress. Check bed frames, furniture joints, behind picture frames, and along baseboards. In multi-unit buildings, they can travel through wall voids, so inspect adjacent areas if possible.

  • Fecal spots: small, dark, ink-like stains on fabric or wood.
  • Shed skins: translucent, empty shells of growing nymphs.
  • Eggs: tiny, white, and sticky, often in clusters.
  • Live bugs: flat, oval, reddish-brown, about 1/5 inch long.
  • Musty odor: a sweet, unpleasant smell in heavy infestations.

Why Evidence Matters for Chicago Residents

In Chicago, tenants and landlords have specific responsibilities for pest control. Documenting evidence helps clarify the situation and supports any needed communication with property management. Rules vary by exact jurisdiction, so check your local ordinances.

A professional pest management company will need to know what you found and where. Your log gives them a head start, making the inspection more efficient. It also helps you compare treatment plans if you get multiple quotes.

  • Chicago’s residential landlord-tenant ordinance addresses pest infestations.
  • Documented evidence can support maintenance requests.
  • Some suburbs have different rules; verify with your village or city hall.
  • A log helps track whether an infestation is spreading or shrinking.
  • Never rely on bites alone to prove bed bugs.

Limitations of This Tool

This log is for your personal use only. It does not confirm bed bugs, identify other pests, or recommend treatments. Misidentification is common; many insects look similar to bed bugs.

Do not use this log to delay professional help. If you suspect a large infestation, or if someone has a severe skin reaction or respiratory symptoms, seek medical or pest control assistance immediately.

  • Cannot replace a trained inspector’s eye.
  • Does not identify bat bugs, carpet beetles, or other lookalikes.
  • Not a legal document for disputes.
  • No data is saved or transmitted; you must keep your own copy.
  • Always follow product labels and professional preparation instructions.

Private worksheet

Bed Bug Evidence Log for Chicago Residents: private worksheet

Check items as you confirm them. Your selections and notes stay in this browser and are not submitted to us. This worksheet does not diagnose the problem or replace an on-site professional.

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Items to confirm

Common questions

What homeowners ask next

Can I use this log to prove I have bed bugs to my landlord?

The log can support your report, but it is not official proof. A licensed pest professional’s written inspection report is usually required. Check your lease and local Chicago ordinances for specific steps.

What if I find something but I’m not sure it’s a bed bug?

Record it anyway and note your uncertainty. Take a clear photo. A professional can identify it. Do not treat unless bed bugs are confirmed.

Is my data safe on this page?

Yes. This tool runs entirely in your browser. We do not collect, see, or store any information you enter. You can print or screenshot the log for your records.

Evidence

Sources used for this guide

Research checked July 31, 2026

Optional next step

Need an on-site professional?

Use the guide and worksheet first so you can describe the situation and compare the full scope. A referral is optional; you can also contact a licensed local provider directly.

Referral matching is not enabled yet.

We have not enabled a provider route for this site. Use the checklist to contact and verify local providers yourself; urgent hazards should go to the appropriate emergency or public service.