Where to find bed bugs in your home — check out these 9 places

[Anonymous]

While it’s common to think bed bugs stick to your bed, they can actually be found in various hiding spots if you look for them.

Before identifying where bed bugs hide, make sure you can distinguish them from other pests. Let’s quickly go over how to recognize bed bugs as you search for them.

Wondering if you have bed bugs? If you’ve been bitten and suspect it’s a bed bug, the EPA recommends checking for additional signs before addressing an infestation, as other bugs or skin conditions may be the cause.

Before searching for bed bugs, check for these clear signs of their presence in your home

Look for rusty stains from crushed bed bugs, tiny dark spots (bed bug excrement), 1 mm eggs and eggshells, and live bed bugs. Check the EPA guide for help distinguishing bed bugs from other pests.

Where do bed bugs prefer to hide?

According to the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech, bed bugs are most active between midnight and 5 am. They feed on their host for 5 to 10 minutes during this period, then return to a crack or crevice, often where other bed bugs are gathered. Contrary to common belief, bed bugs may not always stay close to the host, especially in crowded hiding spaces during a large infestation. Despite being unable to fly, they are adept crawlers and can cover distances of 5-20 feet quickly.

1. Bed bugs in your bed
Bed bugs live close to their food source, often near where humans sleep. While they can’t chew through mattresses, they hide in the seams, tags, and piping. Check for them in cracks on the bed frame and headboard too.

2. Soft furnishings
Bed bugs are attracted to places with food, so if you relax on a sofa or armchair in your bedroom, they might be there too. Don’t just search the bedroom; check sofas in living areas. They can also hide in cushions and curtains, enjoying the folds of the fabric.

 

3. Check your drawers
If you have a bedside table, beware – bed bugs may crawl from your mattress into the drawers for a hiding spot. These pests love cracks and joints in furniture, so clean your drawers regularly to keep them at bay.

4. Electrical sockets and appliances
If you see black dots near your plug sockets, it might mean bed bugs are around. They can even get into the outlets. The Family Handyman recommends using socket protectors when the sockets aren’t in use. Bed bugs can also get into electronic devices like TVs and gaming consoles, so check them carefully. If you think bugs are in an appliance, get help from a professional, but be cautious with electronics.

5. Bedtime books
Many people read before bed, but watch out for bed bugs. Check for black spots on the edges, binding, and cover of your books. Be cautious with second-hand books, as they might have bed bugs. Bringing them home could lead to an infestation.

6. Under loose wallpaper and wall hangings
If your bedroom wallpaper is loose or torn, glue it down to avoid providing bed bugs with a hiding spot. Also, inspect fabric wall hangings, behind pictures, and wall-hung clocks for potential bed bug locations.

7. Cracks and crevices
Fix cracks and holes in walls promptly, as bed bugs thrive in such spaces. It’s a good motivation for tackling those long-delayed DIY tasks – grab some filler and take care of it!

8. Carpets
Choose a short, tightly-woven carpet over a long-piled or shaggy rug in your bedroom to make it less inviting for bed bugs. If you prefer rugs, go for washable ones that can be cleaned in hot water to help combat infestations.

9. Clothing
Bed bugs can quickly infest places by hitching a ride on clothes and linens, especially during travel. To avoid this, promptly unpack and organize your laundry upon returning home. Research from Sheffield University suggests bed bugs are attracted to the smell of humans, making it advisable to use an enclosed basket for dirty laundry instead of leaving it on the bedroom floor.

Topic