It doesn’t take a pest management professional to uncover the fact that
bed bugs are cryptic pests. This is one of the first things you’ll uncover when researching
bed bugs. It makes sense when you consider the fact,
bed bugs are extremely difficult to detect and exterminate. Combine this with their quick wits and ability to react quickly in any situation, and it’ll make them more terrifying. All in all, if you want to deal with a
bed bug infestation effectively, you’re going to have to know where to look. Understanding where
bed bugs hide is the best place to start.
Box Springs And Mattresses
There is a reason that
bed bugs are called
bed bugs. This is because they commonly inhabit the bed, mattress, and box springs. One of the reasons they do this is because they want to be near their host. In addition to this, they are drawn to human body heat, expelled CO2, and kairomones. When seeking out bed bugs, this will be one of the first places you want to look for an infestation.
Cracks And Crevices In Bed Frames
Bed bugs possess the uncanny ability to hide just about anywhere. They can cram and shove their bodies into a finishing nail hole. They’ll also force their way in cracks and crevices in your bed frame. Most wooden bed frames have cracks and crevices. These will be some of the first spots you want to look at during a suspected infestation.
Sheets/Bedding
If bed bugs are going to hide in your mattress and box springs, why wouldn’t they take up residence in your sheets and bedding? They would and that’s exactly what they’ll do. Bed bugs will get into your sheets, pillowcases, quilts, and comforters. While this might be troubling, it does come with one distinct advantage. That advantage is, they’ll be much easier to spot. Simply take your sheets outside, shake them out, and you’ll be good to go.
Rugs And Carpets
Rugs and carpets might not seem like an ideal hiding place for pests, but you’d be surprised with the bed bug. While they do not offer much protection, they offer just enough for the bed bug to feel comfortable. Another thing about rugs and carpets is, they are commonly found in bedrooms and living rooms. Bed bugs usually find their way to these surfaces by crawling off shoes left at the doors.
Upholstered Furniture And Couches
How many tales have you heard about consumers investing in pre-owned furniture, only to discover they were infested with bed bugs? Probably more times than you’d like to admit. Unfortunately, this is a more common occurrence than you’d imagine. One of the reasons for this is because a couch or piece of furniture offers hundreds of hiding places within one. Within a couch, a bed bug cannot only hide under the cushions, but they can hide under the armrests along with a variety of other locations.
Surprising Hiding Spots For Bed Bugs
The above-mentioned spots are just amongst some of the most common hiding places for bed bugs. There are other surprising places that bed bugs hide. Some of the locations might even truly shock you.
Piece Of Luggage
Heard about more and more travelers bringing bed bugs home with them? That’s because they hitch a ride on luggage pieces. That being said, a bed bug infestation starts in a hotel room. Bugs hide in the room or mattress until unsuspecting guests come in, hitch a ride on their luggage pieces, and ride them all the way back to their beautiful homes.
Wall Decor
Who would think that beautiful family photo hanging above their bed would house a family of bed bugs? Unfortunately, this can happen and does happen more than most people think. This is because photo frames offer dark, warm spaces that pests can hide in.
Books
You might want to read about bed bugs, but you don’t want to open a bug and be greeted by bed bugs. Unfortunately, this is a possibility in an infected home. These pests are more than likely to hide in the spine of books or under the covering, as they provide dark, musty protection.
Nightstands
Nightstands may not seem like a big stretch when it comes to bed bugs. You already know these critters take up residence in the bedroom more often than not. Why not the nightstand? Just like a used piece of furniture, a nightstand offers hundreds of little hiding spaces within one big space. In addition to this, they are dark, musty, and located in the bedroom.
Electronics
With the importance of electronics these days, no one wants to learn that bed bugs can wiggle their way into electrical devices. It’s the warmth and heat that really draws them in. Laptops, TVs, and gaming consoles are unfortunately the perfect breeding ground for these critters.
Any item in the bedroom is more susceptible to a bed bug infestation than other items. This is why you must take special precautions with the items. Make sure all containers are tightly sealed, all water sources are eliminated, and crumbs are cleaned after every meal.
