It doesn’t take a pest management professional to figure out that bed bugs are extremely cryptic pests. Heck, anyone that’s ever dealt with the critter will likely tell you this first above all things. Bed bugs possess the unique ability to hide among your everyday belongings, feed on you, and run back into hiding. Their small stature of ¼ inches long doesn’t make them any less cryptic either. This along with their ability to squeeze their bodies into some of the smallest cracks and crevices, and you’ll likely see why it takes a trained professional to successfully eliminate an infestation. That being said, if you are interested in trying to tackle a bed bug problem by yourself, you’ll need to know exactly where to look.
Common Bed Bug Hiding Spots
Box Springs And Mattresses
Given their name, it probably doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone that bed bugs would take up residence in the mattress or box springs. They are called bed bugs, after all. That being said, most people don’t understand why these critters choose to live in the mattress. They choose to do so because it allows them quick, easy access to their food source, which is you. In addition to all this, bed bugs are drawn to expelled CO2, kairomones, and natural body heat. You combine all this with the fact that you spend a third of your life sleeping, and it makes the situation all that more troubling.Cracks And Crevices In The Bed Frame
You’ve probably heard that bed bugs can hide anywhere. Well, this is not just some saying like common nomenclature. This is a fact. Most bed frames are constructed of wood because of their natural beauty and warmth. However, wood products develop cracks and crevices over time due to expanding, bowing, and warping. Bed bugs will hide deep in these cracks and crevices. That being said, the most common places for these cracks and crevices in the headboards, footboards, and where the side rails meet the frame.Bedding, Sheets, And Linens
If bed bugs choose to hide in your mattresses, box springs, and headboards, why wouldn’t they choose to hide in your linen? They will and they do! The only upside to these locations is, an infestation will be much easier to spot. That’s because they don’t provide much cover. In addition to this, you can look for black and red stains on the sheets. This will likely be an indication of fecal matter or dried blood. Sounds disgusting, but it just the fact of living with a bed bug infestation.Rugs And Carpets
For most people, rugs, and carpets seem like an unlikely hiding spot for bed bugs. And while it is not some of their top choices, they will take up residence in rugs and carpets. One of the reasons for this is, rugs and carpets are commonly installed in bedrooms.Couches And Upholstered Furniture
Couches and upholstered furniture make the perfect homes for bed bugs. This is because these aren’t just individual hiding spots. A couch offers almost thousands of hiding spots within one location. Bed bugs can squeeze between the cushions, under the armrests, behind the legs, and pretty much just about anywhere imaginable. Another thing that makes these pieces a chosen go-to home is, they are commonly installed in bedrooms.Surprising Hiding Spots For Bed Bugs
The places you learned about above are just amongst some of the most common hiding places for bed bugs. There are tons of other places these critters will hide. They’ll even hide in some locations that you’d never think to check. Knowing and being able to identify the locations will be the difference between detecting an infestation and letting one fester.Suitcase/Luggage
You’ve probably heard about more and more people getting infected with bed bugs while traveling. This is because they’ll hitch right onto luggage or suitcases. No one wants to arrive home from a long vacation and learn that they’ve brought an infestation along with them. Unfortunately, this happens all too much these days. And, that’s because a piece of luggage provides the perfect environment for a bed bug.Wall Decorations
Speaking of dark and damp locations, you won’t find a more suitable environment for bed bugs than wall decorations. Wall decorations offer the protection, darkness, and dampness that bed bugs need to thrive. Make you think twice about buying second-hand, huh? If it doesn’t it should!Books
Read all about it! Read all about it! No one wants to read about bed bugs literally, but unfortunately, that might be a situation you might end up facing in an infested home. That being said, bed bugs are likely to hide deep in the spine and covers, rather than on the pages.Nightstands
Dark, damp, and likely located in the bedroom, what’s wouldn’t the bed bug love about this? He would love everything and that’s why they choose to take up residence in these locations. Hiding in a nightstand is probably one of the more preferred options for these critters because it is so wide open, meaning that it provides a variety of hiding spots within one big spot. This just makes detection all that more difficult.Electronics
People rely heavily on their electronics these days. How are you reading this right now? Could you imagine trying to survive a day without your phone? Given the fact that bed bugs can inhabit these items, it makes facing an infestation all that more troubling. It’s the warmth from the electrical components that attract these bugs. Regardless, you don’t want bugs in your electronics because there is the off-chance that they’ll end up causing the components to short out. The list of bed bug hiding spots is extensive. And, just because you know where they’re hiding, it only gives you a slight advantage. You’ll still have to figure out how to eradicate the bugs. You can try vacuuming them out, you can try washing your linens in hot water, and then drying them on high heat, but you have to remember, it only takes one bug. One bug scurries off to live another day and you’ll be facing another infestation in just under a month. This is why it is always best to let the pros handle your pest problems.Why Hire Us!
- We hire local talent
- Our pricing is fair and competitive
- We offer free one-on-one bed bug treatment consultation
- We have been serving Akron residents and businesses for decades
- We are a locally owned and operated pest control company
- We offer free bed bug inspection services via appointment only