With the recent resurgence of
bed bugs, you’ve probably uncovered all kinds of conflicting information during your research. Some of which never entered your mind or maybe you didn’t want to know. Whatever the case may be, you knew enough about the insect to avoid most encounters.
Bed bugs are the shape of an apple seed, possessing the ability to shove their bodies into the tiniest crack and crevice. Combine this with their deceptive behavior, and it just adds to the overall difficultly of the situation. Sometimes just determining whether or not your property is infested can be quite the task. To do so, you usually have to have a general understanding of where these bugs like to hide.
Common Hiding Spots For Bed Bugs
Box Springs And Mattresses
If you knew,
bed bugs were discrete pests, you likely know they prefer the host’s mattress as a hiding place. This can be contributed to the
bed bug’s attraction to body
heat, CO2, and kairomones. In addition to this, these hiding spots provide them quick, easy access to their food source. Ninety percent of infestations take place in the host’s bedroom inside the fibers of the mattress or box springs.
Cracks And Crevices Of The Bed Frame
It’s hard to have a mattress and box spring without a bed frame. Of course, you can just throw your mattress and box spring on the floor. But, this is not the best approach. Most people get a bed frame, just because they refuse to sleep on the floor, even with a mattress. Unfortunately, this setup adds more hiding potentials to the parasitic
bed bug.
Where the headboards and footboards connect to the frame, in cracks and crevices, and pretty much any tiny slit is where these bugs will hide. The insects only emerge from hiding when their hosts are sound asleep to feed on blood meals.
Sheets/Linen/Bedding
Just about everyone utilizes some type of bed linen – flat sheet and/or fitted sheet.
Bed bugs will also hide in these as well. The only good thing about this is the bed bugs may be more visible and easier to detect. But, still not likely.
It isn’t like they can burrow deep inside several layers of fabric. Since sheets are made of a single layer of material. Keep an eye out for fecal material and bloodstains. These will be a surefire indication of a
bed bug infestation.
Couches And Furniture
How many stories have you heard about someone buying preowned furniture only to discover that it was infested with
bed bugs? Unfortunately, this is a true tale, only becoming all the more common in Chicago.
Couches, love seats, and sofas are sometimes installed in the bedrooms and used as places of sleep or rest. This, along with the fact these pieces of furniture offer access to hundreds of hiding spots is why bed bugs are drawn to them.
Rugs And Carpets
Rugs and carpets can be beautiful décor pieces inside a home or business. They are not only warm and fuzzy but can also be comfortable on a cold winter night. Many people choose to install wall-to-wall carpets or mats in their bedrooms. Others place rugs at the entranceway, so people can wipe their feet before entering their homes.
Either way, these items provide an ideal living environment for the bed bug. They can easily detach from the shoes or clothes of visitors. Here, the insects will hang out until they are ready to move on to greener pastures. Some will even turn these locations into permanent residences if they are installed in the right location.
Places You Might Not Think To Look
All the places mentioned above are probably fairly obvious. It is probably not a big surprise to discover bed bugs like to make homes out of mattresses and box springs? Probably not, but that does not mean, other areas of your home are completely safe from bed bugs. There is nowhere 100 percent safe from bed bugs. But, knowing the most common hiding places will make all the difference in the world during the elimination and detection processes.
Luggage/Suitcases
Going on vacation can be a huge task. There are so many things you have to do to prepare for a vacation, even if it is in the same state. And, this is not to mention, you will still be trying to make up for lost time upon your return.
With this said, the last thing you need is to arrive home and discover a week later, you have unwanted guests. Unfortunately, this is becoming more common among frequent travelers. Bed bugs are excellent hitchhikers, latching their claws onto the items inside your suitcase, overnight bag, or backpack.
The insects will turn their final destination into a permanent residence. Regardless, this is not your decision. But, it is your decision to eradicate the bed bugs as soon as possible. Make sure you are scouring your luggage and suitcases before your return trip or as soon as you arrive home.
Wall Decor
There are some paintings or wall decorations that tie a room together perfectly. They look like they were intended to fit in their chosen locations. Maybe it’s that family portrait you have above your bed. Maybe some other wall decoration. Whatever the situation, you likely do not want to discard the item because it is infested with bed bugs. This might end u being the case in homes that are infected. Paintings, pictures, frames, and specific wall decorations can provide the perfect living conditions for these creepy crawlers.
Books
Unfortunately, the same goes for your beloved classic novels. Maybe you consider yourself more of a true-crime enthusiast. Whatever your reading interests, you have to be careful about bed bugs taking up residence in your favorite books. They’ll usually burrow into the spines or front and back covers rather than between the pages.
Nightstands
Dank, dark, and usually located in the bedroom, the nightstand offers more than everything the common bed bug needs. It also offers access to several hiding spaces in one. Bugs can get into the screw holes, corners, crevices, cracks, and under the feet and take up residence.
Electronics
What home isn’t chalked full of electronics these days? From computers to handheld gaming devices, the average household has at least one or two electrical devices. And, this is not including your traditional clocks and toasters. All these items provide the perfect proving grounds for the bed bug. They are attracted to the heat from the circuit boards, but can also cause the items to short circuit when trying to get near the warmth.
Even if you know where to look for bed bugs, you’ll likely still have to call in the pros when it comes time for elimination. Make sure you take your time and choose a quality provider that is willing to go above and beyond for you and your family.
Our Professional Bed Bug Management Strategies
Frequent travelers are at the highest risk of encountering bed bugs. This is especially true for people who frequently travel abroad. It is unfortunate, but most developing countries lack effective bed bug management strategies. The solution is not to travel. The solution is to become educated and always be prepared.
