You should not squish a bed bug with bare fingers for several reasons related to hygiene, staining, and infestation management, though squishing does kill the individual bug. First, bed bugs are blood feeders, so squishing an engorged bed bug that recently fed will release blood, which can stain sheets, mattress, clothing, and skin with reddish brown blood spots that are difficult to remove and may contain pathogens, though bed bugs are not known to transmit diseases to humans. Second, squishing releases a musty, unpleasant odor from their scent glands that can be strong in heavy infestations. Third, squishing alone does not solve infestation because bed bugs hide in cracks, lay hundreds of eggs in crevices, and you will miss many, and crushing one may give false sense of control. Fourth, if you squish with bare hands, you risk contacting fecal matter and bacteria, though disease transmission is low, washing hands after is important. Fifth, squishing can spread eggs if you crush near eggs. Better methods to kill bed bugs include using tissue or paper towel to pick and dispose in sealed bag, vacuuming with crevice tool, using steam above 200 degrees Fahrenheit, washing bedding on high heat, and professional heat treatment. If you find bed bugs, place them in sealed bag for pest control identification rather than squishing, and avoid squishing on mattress to prevent staining.
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